Lynn Carlisle, Mike Robichaux, David Clow

There is an interesting and important conversation going on in the In a Spirit of Caring discussion forum in response to Mike Robichaux's article How much do you charge for --- ? A higher conversation

David Clow, who wrote A Few Words From the Chair, a patient speaks to dentists has made some cogent observations on the impact of social media and rating/review sites on the way the public perceives dentistry. He includes how their expectations of dentistry are influenced by these sites without the dentist's participation.

Here is a snip from his discussion forum posts:

The conversation Dr. Robichaux describes is changing, and to follow his advice about "going higher," it's necessary that dentists understand where and how that conversation is happening. Today dentists and patients engage not only face to face, but through new media that were never before a factor in the relationship. If the dentist is going to make this engagement productive, it's essential for them to take control of it for the patient's benefit and their own.

Here is a snip from Mike Robichaux's reply:

David's insights are special and well received. He touches on things that patient-centered dentists have been struggling with for years. The Walmarts, Best Buys, Expedia, etc. have lead the public to believe that products are all the same and the only difference is "price". The problem comes in when the "product" is a service and the "price" is a "fee".

You see, the consummate health professional understands that not all 2 surface composites, not all crowns, not all extractions, etc. are the same. The care, skill, and judgment for each patient is different...hence different fees for the same insurance code.

After 40 years of trying, I have come to realize that no amount of external marketing will sway people who believe that all dental care is the same and the only difference is the "price". Putting fees over social media, in my opinion, is a disaster.

This is a very timely and important subject. I hope you join the conversation by going to the discussion forum, reading the discussion threads and sharing your comments and opinions.

Dr. Robichaux's "higher conversation"

Here are some comments and questions I posted in the forum to help start the conversation:

I have been pondering the impact of social media and the dentist rating/review sites on relationship-based practices. But I think there are ISOC members who have better answers to this than I do.

Questions that come to mind are:

"What impact have social media and the rating/review sites had on your dental marketing and new patient flow?"

"What have you found that has worked and hasn't?"

"Are social media and rating/review sites a paradigm shift in marketing and connecting or is it an evolution?

"Do new rules apply to these sites?"

"What are the do's and don't related to these sites?"

Somewhere along the line I will write an article on this.

*****This conversation is rapidly expanding beyond the impact of social media into the state of dentistry today.

The discussion forum is a great place to have this conversation, so don't be shy - ISOC members, please post your questions and comments on this forum Dr. Robichaux's "higher conversation"

If you are not a member, we invite you to view the member benefits at Membership has its advantages or view some of our Sample articles

Here is an ISOC article published in 2008 that explores the commodization of health care: The commoditization of dentistry and health care. Expedia.com like web site comes to health care.

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