Hello and welcome to Informed Dental Consumer!
My name is Beth, and I have been a practicing dentist since 2002. For much of my career, I have worked in underserved communities. Over the years, I witnessed too many low-income patients spend more money on dental care than their wealthier counterparts for far worse outcomes. It doesn’t have to be this way!
THE PROBLEM
The value of chewing comfortably and smiling confidently is often taken for granted until it’s too late. By the time many patients see a dentist for help, their condition has deteriorated to the point where treatment needs are overwhelming. These folks often just bury their heads back in the sand and manage their care one emergency at a time. In the end, they spend far more money for far worse results.
The incentive structures in healthcare do not always align with patients’ best interests. Since dentists benefit financially from doing dental procedures, it is natural to have a healthy sense of skepticism about treatment recommendations. Most dentists do the best that they can for their patients, but they are not paid for counsel. They are paid for procedures. And they are often pressed for time. So patients may not be aware of all of their options. Sometimes we’re over-focused on a single tooth without considering whether treating it makes sense from a comprehensive standpoint. In other words, it’s easy to waste money on dental care that ultimately does not serve you!
THE GOAL OF INFORMED DENTAL CONSUMER
Informed Dental Consumer is here to serve as an independent trusted source of information. Most patients are balancing their dental care needs with their financial needs. Informed Dental Consumer understands that. I have no financial interest in your treatment. I’m just here to provide useful, real-world, content to help guide your dental care decisions. Patients have different amounts of time and money they are willing or able to invest in treatment. The choices you make should be tailored toward your preferences and circumstances. I will offer strategies to help you determine the best approach for you. Regardless of the current state of your dental health and financial health, my goal is to help you achieve the best outcome your budget allows.
If you ever need a hand or have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out.
All the best,
Beth Dorian
w. Informeddentalconsumer.com
I think this will be a great resource to consult when my dentist recommends a specific treatment that costs hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Yes, please do! If you have a specific question, feel free to email me at bethanndorian@gmail.com