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Would you think it was cool if your dentist gave you a photo of you with a smile makeover if you didn't request one?

I work in dental marketing, and one of the things they're pushing is that dentists should be using smile makeover software on every new patient. i.e. The new patient comes in and they take a photo of them and have the software show them what they'd look like if they had a flawless smile- whitening, veneers, etc. 

If I didn't ask about cosmetic services, I'd be ticked that they're playing with my photo, and would be upset that they were focusing on cosmetics so much, especially if all I wanted was to keep my teeth healthy. I'd consider the practice to be money-hungry, and just plain icky. I probably wouldn't go back.

What about you? Would you think it was cool to get a photo of what you could look like, upset that they did it without asking if you were interested, think they were in it for the money, or something else? 

Posted - September 27, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • It wouldn't like that at all. It sounds inappropriate, frankly. 

    The fact is, medicine is still a "business" and they want money wherever they can get it. My dentist wanted my wisdom teeth removed. Why? Money. I said no. My wisdom teeth are in straight and have no cavities; why should I get them removed? Why should I have unnecessary surgery? Because "it's just what you do"? 
      September 27, 2017 11:08 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    We have skin specialists where I work.  The top one has a face full of acne.  I don't understand.  There may be a perfectly good reason, but it seems like she just doesn't give a fig.

    I'll have to dig deeper to get the dirt.   I just started working there.  She is an attractive girl, she has a face full of zits and she is the top estetician.  I cannot figure this one out. 

      September 27, 2017 11:50 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    LOL

    I am answering the wrong question.

    I thought this was one that I posted that is kind of similar. 

    Not really.  This makes no sense.  Ignore me. This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at September 27, 2017 7:34 PM MDT
      September 27, 2017 11:53 AM MDT
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  • It's all good :D
      September 27, 2017 11:55 AM MDT
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  • 7939
    In all fairness, there's generally medical cause. I don't know your age, but most people have significant trouble as their wisdom teeth come in. There just isn't space for them, and they push all the other teeth out of alignment. Plus, they hurt and a lot of them don't come in nice. Aside from this, it's really hard to clean back there. The vast majority of people don't even get their molars well with home care, so considering the wisdom teeth squeeze themselves in, getting between them and cleaning is really hard. Odds are, you'll wind up with gum disease back there and/or cavities. And, because they squish all your teeth, it becomes even harder to keep them all clean and healthy. 

    The reality is, it's really hard to maintain all your teeth, especially your wisdom teeth, even if you do everything right. But, something like 30% of the population doesn't even brush regularly, and only half of all people floss daily. If you fall into one of the latter groups, you'll lose those teeth to decay anyway, and you might lose them despite your best efforts as well. For most people, it's not a question of whether they'll keep them or not, it's for how long, and how much collateral damage they're willing to accept in order to keep them. FYI, if your gums bleed, even while brushing or flossing, you have the starting stages of gum disease. People don't realize what an impact this has on their overall health, but it does. Gum disease is tied to heart disease and diabetes, as well as pre-term labor and other problems in pregnancy and other conditions. The pregnancy thing may not be of concern to you, but you can share your gum disease with anyone you kiss or share food with. The stats are off the charts- studies have shown that the vast majority of kids who share food with their parents who have gum disease wind up with the same exact strain, giving them gum disease and making them more prone to cavities too. So sad. :/

    You can keep your wisdom teeth, and some people are ok with them, but odds are, you will start to have problems with them eventually. Keep a very close eye on them if you have your heart set on keeping them!
      September 27, 2017 12:42 PM MDT
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  • Generally, but not always. Most people have significant trouble, not all. That's the issue here. There are generalizations and they are being applied to everyone without nuance, without taking into account individual cases. I'm treated like everyone else: I must be the same. But I'm not. I have a unique situation where mine came in straight without pain or issue, where I have only had one filling in my life when I was 10-years-old, in a baby tooth. Thank you for your concern, but I and my dentist know what I'm doing. :) And you can't really know unless you are me. This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at September 27, 2017 5:48 PM MDT
      September 27, 2017 1:04 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    I wasn't telling you what you should personally do, aside from recommending that you watch them for specific health concerns. You asked why they consider it medical necessity. I explained the logic. Again, I work in the dental industry. I went to school for that. I worked in a dental office. I saw lots and lots of patients over many years. You may be different, and I acknowledged that, but I also addressed what your concern was from a professional and educated standpoint. 

    I can't count the number of times someone told me "I don't need XYZ" and then they lost the tooth or racked up huge bills or got really sick because they didn't do what the doctor told them to do. Being that this is a pubic forum, and dental is my specialty, I provide lots of information for people to read, so that they can better understand their conditions and make smart decisions about their care. You may be absolutely on point with what you're saying about you, but the next person who reads that or searches online about why they need their wisdom teeth out- they may not have the same keen understanding and good genetics/ home care that you do. So, I just put the info out there for anyone who may need it.
      September 27, 2017 5:59 PM MDT
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  • 2500
    Yes, that's called Marketing (as you well know).

    No, I wouldn't like that at all, something "unethical" about doing that.
      September 27, 2017 11:24 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    I am working with a girl who is a skin specialist and she has the worst skin in the clinic.  ???

    I'll have to find out what this is about in greater depth.  Then I'll alert the media.


    LOL

    I am answering the wrong question.

    I thought this was one that I posted that is kind of similar.

    Not really. This makes no sense. Ignore me. This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at September 27, 2017 7:35 PM MDT
      September 27, 2017 11:51 AM MDT
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  • 11006
    As long as it was presented in a way that wasn't pushy or made me feel bad about my current smile, I wouldn't mind at all. Just saying, 'how would you like to see what we can do with cosmetic dentistry' would make me curious enough to take a look. There is nothing wrong with letting patients know about optional services that they might otherwise be unaware of. 
      September 27, 2017 11:47 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    Good point.  This girl has no lack of clients.  People rave about her work.  SO why doesn't she work on her?

    I may find out soon.  She is very pretty too.  Very neat and very pimply.


    Jane, I have lost my sanity.

    LOL

    I am answering the wrong question.

    I thought this was one that I posted that is kind of similar.

    Not really. This makes no sense. Ignore me. This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at September 27, 2017 7:35 PM MDT
      September 27, 2017 11:52 AM MDT
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  • 11006
    Sharonna, there is a delete button under a comment that you post. Guess what it does/
      September 27, 2017 4:29 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    Yes, that was the argument- that it was purely informational in nature, and, if presented well, is more of a "Hey, if you want this, we can do it too, but no biggie if you don't." I have trouble envisioning how that would work in a real clinical setting, though.

    Thanks for your response. :)
      September 27, 2017 12:47 PM MDT
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  • 6124
    Like the others, I wouldn't like it.  I don't want someone pushing a procedure on me.  I would feel they were trying to squeeze me for money.  However, if you're trying to figure out a marketing angle for it, Jane pretty much came up with it.  If the dentist said to me first, "Do you have any interest in seeing what you would look like with veneers, a tooth whitening, after braces, caps, ..."  whatever else they may offer, that wouldn't be an issue for me and I would probably say, "sure."   From a marketing perspective, it's a soft pitch.  It's an invitation, rather than the first scenario, which is a hard sell. 
      September 27, 2017 5:27 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    I'm not looking for a way to market it. I just happen to work for a marketing company that's telling their dentists  to do this, and it seemed like bad advice to me. I was curious if I was alone in this. Looks like most agree it's kind of pushy. 
    Thanks for your thoughtful response. 
      September 27, 2017 6:01 PM MDT
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  • 53509


    I don't think I would like it very much due to its intrusive nature and the just-another-way-to-make-a-buck aspect. However, I had jacked-up teeth from age 9 to my mid 30s. When I was 9, I chipped my front upper tooth during gym class by running into a wall. It remained a jagged eyesore for about 20 years, mainly because my family couldn't afford to fix it. I believe that I just became used to it and learned to hide it by keeping my upper lip covering it whenever I was conscious of a situation where others would see it.
    When I was 18, I joined the Marine Corps. Elective dental surgery was not a priority, so there it stayed. 
    One day when I was about 35, I decided to have the problem taken care of with elective dental surgery/reconstruction, and the results have served me so well that I kick myself for not having done it 10 years sooner.

    I doubt I would have received a dentist's prodding for a better smile very well, but who knows?  It's possible that it would have spurned me sooner. 

    ~




      September 27, 2017 7:48 PM MDT
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  • 5354
    i am kind of allergic to advertising so I would tell them to shove it.
      September 28, 2017 12:08 AM MDT
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  • 13395
    They'd have to try very hard doing anything that would make me look any better than I am  ..har har.
    I'd be okay with that though; interesting marketing idea.

    Was a Porsche dealership had success in sales with making up a photo showing one of their vehicles parked in front of a prospect's house.


      September 28, 2017 12:48 AM MDT
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