Teeth Cleaning (1 Viewer)

[glock]

flossing regularly is the sharkmove

I brush and floss regularly, bu I am one of those predisposed to tarter buildup. If I were to go once a year my cleanings would resemble the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Twice is nice, but for the extra few bucks a year I just moved up to thrice.

 

[shadyridr]

every 6 months

 

[glock]

Sonicare means never having to go to the dentist.

It sure has shortened my cleanings. They never work on my teeth for more than a few minutes since we got our Sonicare. That thing rules.

I'm definitely going to look into this.

 

[Dr. No]

My dentist recommends every 6 months. I am pretty sure his golf course membership has something to do with this recommendation.

It has been about 7 months since my last cleaning and the office has been calling me every other week trying to set up an appointment. I have been blowing them off telling them I am busy and that I will call them to schedule an appointment when I have time!

I usually get one at around the 10-14 month mark. What about you guys? I am thinking about switching dentists if these ###### don't quit calling me. They're like bill collectors!!!

Geebus. Do you really think your $100-150 appointment that will end up netting the doctor about $20-30 after he pays bills and staff is really going to contribute anything to any of his hobbies?

Lets see - assume dentist has a couple of hygienists, and can get 2 teeth cleanings per hour - max of 32 per day. Lets assume that they have other patients - so round it down to 20 per day, 100 per week, round down again - lets call it 4800 per year.4800*$125 = $600,000 in revenue. You seem to be running low margin office - but at 20% that is $120,000 in profit, in addition to what I hope are more lucrative procedures. So, if everyone decided to get their teeth cleaned half as often - you are looking at a shortfall of $60,000 per year - in profits.

Having said that - it is a business - I don't begrudge dentists, or anyone else trying to make a buck, and advertising, and direct marketing via phone calls is smart business (assuming it attracts customers). A lot of fixed costs in a dental operation, and any slot you can fill helps.

2 cleanings per hour would be slamming your patients through... unless they are children.

We take 50-60 minutes for each patient.

So if I have 2 hygienists - I can get 16 cleanings in per day.. if everyone shows... which it's somewhat rare for us to go 16/16.

I don't run a low margin office... that particular part of my practice (and most dentists) isn't as high of margin because the laborer (a hygienist) makes about $50K a year and is by far the most expensive employee in the office. So my part of the practice might operate at like a 40-45% profit whereas that department runs closer to 20-25%

So let's say that my hygiene department does about $200,000 a year (which is pretty close to what it actually is)... let's give myself 25% of the profit... - so like 50K... which i then split with my partner.

So sure, if nearly EVERYONE switched to 8-10 month - i may lose as much as 10K... which i suppose would buy me a country club membership if I golfed.. but since I don't all i'm missing out on is another month that I can't retire.. i suppose if you added that up over the next 30 years it would end up adding 3 years to my working life... so I guess that's significant.

 

[wazoo11]

I have been brushing my teeth every day and night, flossing twice a day, using some listerine as well.

Quit drinking Diet Soda, too. I haven't had any pain or haven't experienced pain recently.

My dentist is still recommending every three months.

 

[johnnycakes]

I have been brushing my teeth every day and night, flossing twice a day, using some listerine as well.Quit drinking Diet Soda, too. I haven't had any pain or haven't experienced pain recently.My dentist is still recommending every three months.

If you had the "deep scaling" procedure done, then I think every 3 months is SOP for maintenance.

 

[simey]

I just got my teeth cleaned today. I go every three months.

 

[Spike]

Preventive maintenance.

I don't get those who don't do it - especially if it's covered by insurance.

 

[cstu]

My dentist recommends every 6 months. I am pretty sure his golf course membership has something to do with this recommendation.

It has been about 7 months since my last cleaning and the office has been calling me every other week trying to set up an appointment. I have been blowing them off telling them I am busy and that I will call them to schedule an appointment when I have time!

I usually get one at around the 10-14 month mark. What about you guys? I am thinking about switching dentists if these ###### don't quit calling me. They're like bill collectors!!!

Geebus. Do you really think your $100-150 appointment that will end up netting the doctor about $20-30 after he pays bills and staff is really going to contribute anything to any of his hobbies?

Lets see - assume dentist has a couple of hygienists, and can get 2 teeth cleanings per hour - max of 32 per day. Lets assume that they have other patients - so round it down to 20 per day, 100 per week, round down again - lets call it 4800 per year.4800*$125 = $600,000 in revenue. You seem to be running low margin office - but at 20% that is $120,000 in profit, in addition to what I hope are more lucrative procedures. So, if everyone decided to get their teeth cleaned half as often - you are looking at a shortfall of $60,000 per year - in profits.

Having said that - it is a business - I don't begrudge dentists, or anyone else trying to make a buck, and advertising, and direct marketing via phone calls is smart business (assuming it attracts customers). A lot of fixed costs in a dental operation, and any slot you can fill helps.

2 cleanings per hour would be slamming your patients through... unless they are children.

We take 50-60 minutes for each patient.

So if I have 2 hygienists - I can get 16 cleanings in per day.. if everyone shows... which it's somewhat rare for us to go 16/16.

I don't run a low margin office... that particular part of my practice (and most dentists) isn't as high of margin because the laborer (a hygienist) makes about $50K a year and is by far the most expensive employee in the office. So my part of the practice might operate at like a 40-45% profit whereas that department runs closer to 20-25%

So let's say that my hygiene department does about $200,000 a year (which is pretty close to what it actually is)... let's give myself 25% of the profit... - so like 50K... which i then split with my partner.

So sure, if nearly EVERYONE switched to 8-10 month - i may lose as much as 10K... which i suppose would buy me a country club membership if I golfed.. but since I don't all i'm missing out on is another month that I can't retire.. i suppose if you added that up over the next 30 years it would end up adding 3 years to my working life... so I guess that's significant.

At full capacity and a rate of $125 you would generate $480k (based on a 240 working days by your hygienists in a year). If you're running at less than half capacity it seems like you would be better off if people went to 8-10 month because you could lay off one of your hygienists.

 

[Penguin]

Every 6 months, but I'm thinking of going every 4th. It's more than just tarter control, dentists can pick up on other health issues going on with you, much like an eye doctor can.

 

[Dentist]

My dentist recommends every 6 months. I am pretty sure his golf course membership has something to do with this recommendation.

It has been about 7 months since my last cleaning and the office has been calling me every other week trying to set up an appointment. I have been blowing them off telling them I am busy and that I will call them to schedule an appointment when I have time!

I usually get one at around the 10-14 month mark. What about you guys? I am thinking about switching dentists if these ###### don't quit calling me. They're like bill collectors!!!

Geebus. Do you really think your $100-150 appointment that will end up netting the doctor about $20-30 after he pays bills and staff is really going to contribute anything to any of his hobbies?

Lets see - assume dentist has a couple of hygienists, and can get 2 teeth cleanings per hour - max of 32 per day. Lets assume that they have other patients - so round it down to 20 per day, 100 per week, round down again - lets call it 4800 per year.4800*$125 = $600,000 in revenue. You seem to be running low margin office - but at 20% that is $120,000 in profit, in addition to what I hope are more lucrative procedures. So, if everyone decided to get their teeth cleaned half as often - you are looking at a shortfall of $60,000 per year - in profits.

Having said that - it is a business - I don't begrudge dentists, or anyone else trying to make a buck, and advertising, and direct marketing via phone calls is smart business (assuming it attracts customers). A lot of fixed costs in a dental operation, and any slot you can fill helps.

2 cleanings per hour would be slamming your patients through... unless they are children.

We take 50-60 minutes for each patient.

So if I have 2 hygienists - I can get 16 cleanings in per day.. if everyone shows... which it's somewhat rare for us to go 16/16.

I don't run a low margin office... that particular part of my practice (and most dentists) isn't as high of margin because the laborer (a hygienist) makes about $50K a year and is by far the most expensive employee in the office. So my part of the practice might operate at like a 40-45% profit whereas that department runs closer to 20-25%

So let's say that my hygiene department does about $200,000 a year (which is pretty close to what it actually is)... let's give myself 25% of the profit... - so like 50K... which i then split with my partner.

So sure, if nearly EVERYONE switched to 8-10 month - i may lose as much as 10K... which i suppose would buy me a country club membership if I golfed.. but since I don't all i'm missing out on is another month that I can't retire.. i suppose if you added that up over the next 30 years it would end up adding 3 years to my working life... so I guess that's significant.

At full capacity and a rate of $125 you would generate $480k (based on a 240 working days by your hygienists in a year). If you're running at less than half capacity it seems like you would be better off if people went to 8-10 month because you could lay off one of your hygienists.

240 days? eff that.

I didn't get into this job to have to work hard

 

[Kenny Powers]

I havent gone to the dentist in 5 years or so, never had any cavities or problems besides getting my wisdom teeth pulled. That said, Im a little afraid for my next visit once I find a new job, as Im 98% sure I have a 2-3 cavities and noticed some gum recession on 1 tooth.

 

[cstu]

My dentist recommends every 6 months. I am pretty sure his golf course membership has something to do with this recommendation.

It has been about 7 months since my last cleaning and the office has been calling me every other week trying to set up an appointment. I have been blowing them off telling them I am busy and that I will call them to schedule an appointment when I have time!

I usually get one at around the 10-14 month mark. What about you guys? I am thinking about switching dentists if these ###### don't quit calling me. They're like bill collectors!!!

Geebus. Do you really think your $100-150 appointment that will end up netting the doctor about $20-30 after he pays bills and staff is really going to contribute anything to any of his hobbies?

Lets see - assume dentist has a couple of hygienists, and can get 2 teeth cleanings per hour - max of 32 per day. Lets assume that they have other patients - so round it down to 20 per day, 100 per week, round down again - lets call it 4800 per year.4800*$125 = $600,000 in revenue. You seem to be running low margin office - but at 20% that is $120,000 in profit, in addition to what I hope are more lucrative procedures. So, if everyone decided to get their teeth cleaned half as often - you are looking at a shortfall of $60,000 per year - in profits.

Having said that - it is a business - I don't begrudge dentists, or anyone else trying to make a buck, and advertising, and direct marketing via phone calls is smart business (assuming it attracts customers). A lot of fixed costs in a dental operation, and any slot you can fill helps.

2 cleanings per hour would be slamming your patients through... unless they are children.

We take 50-60 minutes for each patient.

So if I have 2 hygienists - I can get 16 cleanings in per day.. if everyone shows... which it's somewhat rare for us to go 16/16.

I don't run a low margin office... that particular part of my practice (and most dentists) isn't as high of margin because the laborer (a hygienist) makes about $50K a year and is by far the most expensive employee in the office. So my part of the practice might operate at like a 40-45% profit whereas that department runs closer to 20-25%

So let's say that my hygiene department does about $200,000 a year (which is pretty close to what it actually is)... let's give myself 25% of the profit... - so like 50K... which i then split with my partner.

So sure, if nearly EVERYONE switched to 8-10 month - i may lose as much as 10K... which i suppose would buy me a country club membership if I golfed.. but since I don't all i'm missing out on is another month that I can't retire.. i suppose if you added that up over the next 30 years it would end up adding 3 years to my working life... so I guess that's significant.

At full capacity and a rate of $125 you would generate $480k (based on a 240 working days by your hygienists in a year). If you're running at less than half capacity it seems like you would be better off if people went to 8-10 month because you could lay off one of your hygienists.

240 days? eff that.

I didn't get into this job to have to work hard

Is your office closed half the year?

 

[DrJ]

My current record is 12 years. Completely cavity free in that time. Since that cleaning I've had nothing but problems. To me this whole thing is a bit of a scam.

 

[Dentist]

My current record is 12 years. Completely cavity free in that time. Since that cleaning I've had nothing but problems. To me this whole thing is a bit of a scam.

is mowing your law a scam too?

 

[DrJ]

My current record is 12 years. Completely cavity free in that time. Since that cleaning I've had nothing but problems. To me this whole thing is a bit of a scam.

is mowing your law a scam too?

Paying someone to do it after you've already done it is.

 

[Otis]

My current record is 12 years. Completely cavity free in that time. Since that cleaning I've had nothing but problems. To me this whole thing is a bit of a scam.

is mowing your law a scam too?

Paying someone to do it after you've already done it is.

burrrrrn

 

[jamny]

I try to go 2x a year but it's usually every 8 months.

I went yesterday. At the end of the cleaning they used to use a nice minty scrubbing tool to polish. This one is using some kind of sand blaster. wtf! Shooting grit all over, I almost choked at one point. I think next time I'll refuse the polish.

 

[The General]

Going more than twice a year seems a bit excessive.

Get a Sonicare and floss everyday and your trips to the dentist are pretty quick and painless.

 

[jamny]

Going more than twice a year seems a bit excessive.

Get a Sonicare and floss everyday and your trips to the dentist are pretty quick and painless.

Is it really that much better than a regular brush?