Weblog

We get compliments all the time from our patients. They usually relate to how pretty the new dental work looks, or the fact that the treatment was easier and more comfortable than our patient was anticipating. We love to hear that. We work hard for that. But this compliment was different.

At the end of a procedure, my patient looked up and said to me, “You really like what you do, don’t you”? That really caught me by surprize. The fact is, I love what I do. No one has ever commented on that before. I was focused on the task at hand (which was a simple filling), making the contours just right so it would blend in with the natural teeth, getting the contacts well shaped and making sure the margins were well sealed. These are all things which are important but patients are usually unaware of the details of what’s going on.  Maybe it was my expression (let’s face it, at that distance it’s pretty easy to read someone) as I saw the finished product. I’m not exactly sure. It made me think about why I am so happy at work. Here’s what I came up with:

I have achieved a level of skill where everything I do, by the time I’m finished, comes out well. If it’s not just right, then I’m not finished.

I know that when I treat people well, with respect and consideration, they generally reply in kind.

And, I’m surrounded by an excellent and supportive staff that are always ready to do whatever is needed for my patients and for me.

Who wouldn’t love their work if they had all that going for them? I’m a lucky guy.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Bill Greenberg