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Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,674
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

We are in shock! Liked this office a lot.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 24,685
Registered: ‎07-21-2011

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

Did they give a reason for closing?  I recently found a new dentist that was on my dental insurance list of dentists.

kindness is strength
Honored Contributor
Posts: 75,477
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

Many dentists are selling their practices to large corporations and boy are these new out fits bad.  My dentist sold out and retired.  The new group went through 4 dentists the first year and their bookkeeping was a fiasco.  I left and never looked back. 

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,312
Registered: ‎05-15-2014

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

It has been getting more and more difficult for dentists to remain in private practice over the last several years, if not decade.  The cost of operating a dental office is prohibitive, especially now.  When you look at the price of supplies, staff,  malpractice insurance, maintenance on equipment, cost of new equipment,.......ie: xray machines etc.  it is really getting unaffordable for young doctors coming out of school.  Most are strapped with student loans (very expensive to go to dental school) and simply cannot afford to buy their own practice.   It's becoming all larger group practices where the dentists are simply employees and make a % of  the production.   Sadly this is starting to occur in medical offices too.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,745
Registered: ‎06-13-2011

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office


@Kachina624 wrote:

Many dentists are selling their practices to large corporations and boy are these new out fits bad.  My dentist sold out and retired.  The new group went through 4 dentists the first year and their bookkeeping was a fiasco.  I left and never looked back. 


 

Some veterinarians are also doing the same thing and like the dental profession it's a bad move for the clients.  When I worked in the field there was always room to make exceptions and give your long time clients a little leeway.  

 

When many of the practices went corporate it was a one size fits all mentality.  I am very happy that I retired when I did.  I'm afraid the solo veterinary practices are soon to be a thing of the past.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,636
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

My dentist (who is in a group of 4 dentists) joined a group about 4 years ago. Nothing changed in the office. As a matter of fact I did not even realize the change until someone pointed it out. Not all groups are bad. My doctor's office also is now part of a group and things are better as far as billing and making appointments. The office runs more smoothly.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 66,966
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

And some call it "progress"... Go figure...


In my pantry with my cupcakes...
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,806
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

Was a reason given? Luckily, our area still has a lot of dentists with private practices. Ours is a husband/wife team.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,941
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

We left our dentist about a year and a half ago out of protest.  The dentist that had the office was slowly retiring.  He hired a young good looking guy to work with him.  Well when this guy got complete control, he caused all kinds of havoc.  He accused the current staff of not collecting what they should have (he did not understand the books.)  He hired a new office manager and told the current office manager that she was being demoted.  This was the sweetest woman who did everything she could to get people scheduled, etc.  Well she got upset and left.  The hygienist got upset with his practices and at least two left, including mine.  He redecorated the place and then told his staff he did not have money to pay them.  I heard all about this from my hygienist before she left.  I found a new dentist, that frankly I don't like as well as the place I left (before this jerk came in.)  It is what it is.  Since I liked and appreciated the previous office manager and my hygienist, I felt like I was supporting them by going elsewhere.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead
Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,993
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Just found out that our dentist is closing her office

[ Edited ]

Hope they don't do that around here because I won't want to go to a place like that. 

They have those group offices so they can see who can get the most business or most money for the business. I'm not interested in having unnecessary work done on my teeth so they can bring income into their business.

That's how those places work. That's how the doctor's group offices are here. I won't go to those places either. I have been but was told to find another doctor because I would not go do this test or that test. If I need to have a test done that's one thing but I'm not doing it because I have insurance & it's an easy way for you to make money???