In the January 29th issue of "DC," I wrote the article, "Do Not Throw Stones in a Glass House." I was reporting on the negative stereotyping of chiropractors in a book review in the Journal of the California Dental Association. It appears that this article stirred up a lot of Dynamic Chiropractic's readers, as evidenced by the volume of letters I received from DCs and DDSs. In response, I am going to write a series of articles that address all the issues and questions that these letters shared in common. Our first article begins with a letter from Randall M. Haas, DC who had previously believed "... that dentists were by and large above this form of demagoguery." In his letter he describes a successful outcome to patient care only after he became involved.
The Case
The patient is a 27-year-old female who has been in almost constant severe pain for about three or four years as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. She reports that she suffers from acute facial pain, migraine headaches, cervicalgia, and brachial neuritis, to name a few of her most severe diagnoses. She states that she has undergone extensive dental treatment during the last three to four years. The patient also indicates that she has been given almost every conceivable diagnosis (except the proper one). Last, but not least, upon arrival to Dr. Haas' office, she repeatedly mentioned that she was contemplating suicide.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment was instituted over the course of three to four months. The therapy included adjustments, high volt galvanic electrotherapy, applied kinesiology, and extensive cranial adjustments. There was one other factor: The patient was referred by Dr. Haas to an orthodontist with the request that the two work together. After the four months of this form of care, the patient was finally pain-free and remained so for more than four years.
What Else?
Dr. Haas proudly states that he and the orthodontist conferred with one another on numerous occasions. Moreover, he states, he praised the work of the orthodontist in front of the patient. In fact, he even praised the previous dentist despite the fact that his work worsened the patient's condition.
It certainly appears to me that Dr. Haas' approach to patient care is far superior and eminently more successful than the approach suggested in the Journal of the California Dental Association, 20(11):November 1922, where there appears an article by Guy Giacopuzzi, DDS.
What Next?
In my next article I will answer the most commonly asked question: What are the ways to develop a professional relationship with a dentist? We'll answer that question by sharing the successful methods developed by our colleagues.
With each article I encourage you to write the questions you may have, commentaries on patient care subsequent to attending the TM seminars, or thoughts to share with your colleagues, to me:
Darryl Curl, DDS, DC
2330 Golden West Lane
Norco, California 91760
Please enclose your return, self-addressed, stamped envelope.
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Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
