“I hate dentists” I was once again faced with this as an openning statement from a new patient referred to me by a colleague to have implants. I sometimes wonder how the majority of dentists in the country put up with this sort of attitude day after day. The truth is a matter of course is that patients don’t hate their dentists, they may hate the idea of having dentistry, but it is necessary for their health and well-being, and as a profession we are excellent at providing a high-quality service for our patients and it really matters to us that we do!
I always take the “hate” opening gambit as a bit of a joke and usually respond by saying “that makes us even, a I hate patients” (I don’t really I love most of my patients!)