There are a lot of really great dentists out there. Sometimes, in our line of work, it’s easy to forget that. Often, it seems there is a better chance of a rich dentist overcharging people through creative diagnosis than a good dentist helping them. But that’s not true. Most dentists are good people, trying to do a good job for their patients. We don’t dislike dentists. In fact, those who get to know us really do see the value in what we offer. As a result, many end up working WITH us in a truly symbiotic relationship.
What is ‘Disruptive Technology’?
The reality is that our Lab Direct Products anger a big portion of the industry. In marketing terms, we’re considered a ‘disruptive technology’. That’s just a fancy way to say we’ve found a new way of doing things, changing the status quo. Changing the status quo can be upsetting for the people who are locked into maintaining the status quo. Dentists like the status quo… So most doctors labeled a “rich dentist” don’t like us.
The following exchange occurred earlier this week in the comment section of one of our YouTube videos. A “rich dentist” out of Atlanta Georgia decided to voice a rather unfavorable opinion of our company although, he never actually dealt with us at all. Moreover, he had no idea that our CEO was logged in at the time and prepared to defend our business vehemently.
Dr. Justin Scott: seriously though, i understand your argument that these are temporary fix for people that aren’t ready to pay for what is actually needed and to get them through until they are ready but this is deceptive in that you are saying that people shouldn’t pay thousands of dollars for traditional veneers and that this was a better idea.. very unethical…
Discovery of a “rich dentist”
(Through research we learned this “rich dentist” set up his practice in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the state. Filled with iPads, flat screen TVs and maintaining a top-shelf website, their office caters to affluent clientele.)
Brighter Image Lab: Dr. Justin Scott and Dr. Lydia Muccioli of Pure Dental Health; I respectfully – whole heartedly disagree. You cannot speak for the same people you refuse to serve. You cannot sit in your ivory tower in one of most expensive areas of Atlanta GA, searching to attract wealthy clients (the ones who need you the least) and talk down a product that you could be using to put many people back to work – back to looking and feeling better and back to not being ashamed to simply smile in public.
Even when money isn’t a factor, many people still would not choose to give a dentist between $5,000 and $15,000 to grind their existing teeth (prep for traditional veneers) just to be able to smile. Removable Dental Veneers are advancing in design and technology everyday and everyday we hear from clients that walked out of a dentist office holding a ridiculous $13,000 (so called) treatment plan and tell us their dentist advertised low cost snap smiles but really just tried to get them to filling out a credit app for financing and payments on a more invasive procedure. You’re using the solution people actually want as bait to up-sell them. I think that is deceptive. I think that is unethical!
Often, A “Rich Dentist” Sells Similar Products
Dr. Justin Scott: We do snap on smiles for temporary purposes. We also educate people that over time these will encourage further deterioration and breakdown and eventually will lead to catastrophic failing in the inability to wear anything but a denture. You are speeding up that process my friend and not educating people along the way of the consequences. You should be telling people this is a bandaid for temporary esthetic improvement and not downplaying the importance of health.
Brighter Image Lab: Dr. Justin Scott, The fact you think that people will actually confuse putting a removable, cosmetic veneer over their teeth, with an oral health treatment shows just how little you think of your patients and their intelligence. Why don’t you come out and say what you keep dancing around? You think people are too stupid to know that difference between covering their teeth and fixing their teeth. We disagree with your elitist attitude, we disagree with your assessment of your patients’ intelligence and we disagree with your industry for being so blind to the real need around you, and so quick to find fault in others trying to help.
It’s all about the information
Dr. Justin Scott: It’s not about lack of intelligence it’s about not having the information. I’m sure they know something is wrong but they don’t know how to fix it. My point is that your post makes the assumption that it is unnecessary to spend money at the dentist and that your product fixes that. It doesn’t and that is wrong. You can make whatever assumptions about me you like but maybe you should just change your marketing content to remove any suggestions that paying money for a professional dental work is anything other than absolutely necessary and inevitable. I’m not even saying you should not promote your benefits. I am not saying you should warn them that there teeth could get worse (although ethically you should). I’m just saying don’t pretend like dental recommendations are somehow unnecessary
The “Rich Dentist” Revelation
(We also learned that the “rich dentist” in this office was purchasing fake online reviews. So, in the interest of full disclosure, we posted that information publicly.)
Dr. Justin Scott: And then you have the nerve to leave a bad review on my website. Unethical indeed
(Dr. Scott then decided to “help” some other commenters by giving them false information about our product.)
A “Rich Dentist” Likes The Status-Quo
Brighter Image Lab: Again you know nothing about my product… the thousands of hours it took to develop it… or the thousands of dollars spent with Harvard and MIT research developers. If a patient told you they were wearing Invisalign all day – you would not dare offer the same advice in a public venue. As for the bad review – I’ve certainly had a bad experience from a dentist trying to promote their practice by appearing to be ‘all knowing’ on a product they know nothing about- have never seen and for which they’ve never attempted to consider the possible advantages. It should bother everyone who reads this that you simply have yet to admit you know nothing about how to make our product, yet you blindly instruct others as to what is does and how’s its made.
You don’t know me, to call me unethical is just you rich doctor way of cursing at me because you’ve been faced with a subject you don’t understand. You do not know my work ethic, dedication, passion or where my choices come from.
The Real Problem with a “Rich Dentist”
Brighter Image Lab: The real problem is this: Dentists all over the country refuse stand up against the State Dental Boards, or push back against the status quo. If dentists like you could fight to make dentistry more accessible, more approachable, more affordable – find a way to make teeth cleaning easier to get than a tattoo or tongue piercing -then dentist offices across the country would have lines out the doors instead of sitting nearly empty, chasing cancellations and drawing in soccer moms that will fall for your cheap teeth whitening scam and fake yelp reviews.
Until then, I’m sure you’ll continue to troll the internet and continue being very concerned about one bad review stemming from a fight you started out of ignorance.
No Desire to fight with any “Rich Dentist”
We want you to understand that we don’t go around looking to argue our belief system with a “rich dentist”. We don’t think what we do requires us to defend it. Our clients are the justification we need to continue to provide low-cost smile makeovers to people who really need them. It shouldn’t take making a trip to Tijuana to get dental veneers. People sometimes ask why we don’t sell through dentists. Well, this interaction with a “rich dentist” is a big part of it. A lot of doctors labeled a “rich dentist” don’t remember what it’s like to see their bank account empty once the bills are paid, and too many are more concerned with upgrading their lease to the new BMW than finding a way to make dental work REALLY- TRULY affordable.
