re: dentists - the resurgence of wealthy

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There was time about 20 years that insurance came hard at dentistry with the whole HMO, PPO, and especially "reduced fee" insurance plans. It was going to be "the future" and we were going to be fricked and controlled just like doctors were. If you didn't get on board, you were going to be left out in the cold. But the vast majority of dentists fought it and simply refused to accept those plans. A small number of dentists jumped on all of those plans. Some did well, but had to work their asses off to make good money. Patients realized it was worthless to have dental insurance with no dentists on it (or at least very limited options). So in the end, we work for cash. Or insurance pays 100% on preventive, 80% on routine care, and 50% on major - and the patient pays the rest. We all took a risk by resisting, and it paid off. tldr - Doctors bend over and grab ankles for the insurance industry, dentists prefer vag.

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This is the exact answer. To the doc saying we should be held to the same standards, you are the reason healthcare is awful. You are just like every other doctor that caved to third party insurance companies who sit behind a desk and don't get to know the patients - only look at profit and bottom line. Dentists are able to provide the personalized quality care that all of you would freak out if it was lost BECAUSE we as members of the ADA stood up and said, "No insurance co will tell us who and how to treat our patients."

You are so clueless. By the way, I responded to an emergency at 4 am last night, dickhead. Also, if I'm not available, I refer to my oral surgeon or dental colleague, not a physician! Laughable. You moron.

I do produce about 1M, take home 200k but you know what? Taking home 200k is not as good as it sounds. I have my personal student loans to pay for the next 10-25 years and actually don't get to keep much of that 200k. That still upset you? Sorry it's free enterprise you communist. Anybody that wants to take on 1.5 M in debt risk straight out of school and charge half of what they do, go for it. You won't be in business long.

I love what I do and the lives I change. I had a woman and husband crying after her smile correction because she hadn't smiled in over 30 years - self esteem.

Also, to the person saying never again to deep cleanings - we hate diagnosing deep cleanings. We hate that you have gum disease. In fact, it's the #1 reason we're sued. Undiagnosed gum disease.

We didn't put the aggressive bacteria in your gums causing your jaw bone to disintegrate. You could just let it rot and wear plastic teeth forever. It's a great diet plan I hear.

We do well because we establish long term caring relationships with our patients. We love what we do so it comes easily. We profit when that patient earns our trust and eventually (sometimes 10 years later) elects to do elective or cosmetic treatment. Do you also hate plastic surgeons? That's mostly elective treatment.

Get a clue.

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Are you 10 years old?

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Is he a cop or is that DanTiger?

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I know, all these OT anecdotes are far more compelling arguments than BLS data.

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To the doc saying we should be held to the same standards, you are the reason healthcare is awful. You are just like every other doctor that caved to third party insurance companies who sit behind a desk and don't get to know the patients - only look at profit and bottom line. Dentists are able to provide the personalized quality care that all of you would freak out if it was lost BECAUSE we as members of the ADA stood up and said, "No insurance co will tell us who and how to treat our patients."

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WTF ever. Personalized care? I'll guarantee you I know more about my pt's than you do. Not that it matters. And YOU stood up to insurance? I doubt it. All that shite was negotiated and done with long before I came into practice.

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You are so clueless. By the way, I responded to an emergency at 4 am last night, dickhead. Also, if I'm not available, I refer to my oral surgeon or dental colleague, not a physician! Laughable. You moron.

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Clueless? I think not. I did admit to over generalizing and lumping all dentists together. But here in south Arkansas, I don't know of ANY that are on call after hours. And I never said they referred to us. I said they blew the pt off and tell them to call their doc. This is a FACT. We deal with their bullshite daily. Pt's c abscesses and cellulitis from a bad tooth and told it'll be a week or two before they can be seen and won't call in antibiotics without an appt. This is my experience dickhead. And these are shitbag pt's either. One was the wife of a doctor. And god forbid we have a true emergency requiring an oral surgeon. We have to ship those off 2 hours away 99% of the time. And once again, I did acknowledge that I was generalizing and attacking dentist as a whole instead of just the local ones we have to deal with.

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take home 200k but you know what? Taking

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Sorry you're poor and bitter.

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Do you also hate plastic surgeons? That's mostly elective treatment.

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Yes.

So not only is he making money hand over fist, he's also providing you a patient base as well.

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My dentist only works 3 days a week , frick that guy he's making to much money, and when we play golf he never has cigs or weed and always wants to bum

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I don't see any dentist that does not work 5 days a week.

Why should I pay him extra so he doesn't have to work?

Dentists are crooks.

I have a buddy who is a dentist. He only charges me what what the insurance pays so I am not out of pocket any money. He must just past the cost on to all the other poor soul patients he has. He does well but has helped a couple friends kids on a Saturday when they about knocked teeth out.

Yes he does take some bad arse vacations and has a bad arse house.

I thought doctors would have made more too 191k?

frick 10 years of school for that

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Also. I start dental school in 8 days

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ITT... I learned I go to school with quite a few posters on here lol. Graduating this year.

They do.

SOP, the practice will gross $1M, the dentist will gross $350K, minus 40%, he/she will take home $200K or so.