Though it may not be the first priority of many patients looking for a dentist, it pays to consider the fact that improved quality and progress in fields such as dentistry often have their start through university research programs. As such, a university professor who also practices dentistry is a valuable medical professional. Universities offer an innovation oasis of sorts. Often times, improvements and new products in medical and medical/cosmetic fields such as dentistry go through testing at university facilities. Those patients fortunate enough to have a dentist who is also a university professor could benefit from first-hand information about potential new treatments for their conditions.
Insight into New Treatments -- Time Savings
Remember that dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, has a time dimension. Patients want their problems fixed sooner rather than later. If pain, risk of serious illness and/or socially debilitating appearance is an issue, quick treatment comes at a substantial premium. A dentist who also works as, for instance, a UCS professor, would know whether certain new treatment procedures are worth the time investment. Dentists without insight into university research have less of an advantage when it comes to understanding potential new treatments and explaining them to patients.
Remember that dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, has a time dimension. Patients want their problems fixed sooner rather than later. If pain, risk of serious illness and/or socially debilitating appearance is an issue, quick treatment comes at a substantial premium. A dentist who also works as, for instance, a UCS professor, would know whether certain new treatment procedures are worth the time investment. Dentists without insight into university research have less of an advantage when it comes to understanding potential new treatments and explaining them to patients.
Specialist and Referral Advantage
In a university setting, the professor often becomes familiar with new dental students and prospective future dentists. As such, the dentist can match soon-to-be dentists that are finishing school with clients that play into the new dentists' strengths or personalities. For instance, a particular aspiring dentist may specialize in treatments and procedures for diabetics. Diabetics are a class of patients that are liable to complications and additional risks of oral surgery. Sometimes, a dentist or prosthodontist will advice against a given procedure since diabetes-induced risk is too high.
In a university setting, the professor often becomes familiar with new dental students and prospective future dentists. As such, the dentist can match soon-to-be dentists that are finishing school with clients that play into the new dentists' strengths or personalities. For instance, a particular aspiring dentist may specialize in treatments and procedures for diabetics. Diabetics are a class of patients that are liable to complications and additional risks of oral surgery. Sometimes, a dentist or prosthodontist will advice against a given procedure since diabetes-induced risk is too high.
If an established dentist and university professor were to recommending diabetic patients to this new dentist with a background and research concerning diabetes patients, of course the patient and new dentist both benefit. However, the established dentist/professor also gets a boost from the recommendation. Aside from professional courtesy that will almost certainly be reciprocated, the dentist/professor lowered some of his risk and liability exposure. This can add up to significant reductions in operating costs and time saved, which will be passed on to the dentist/professor's patients.
Engaging Work Corresponds to Engaging Attitude
Lastly, there is something to be said for variety in one's work life. The offset between dental office and university tasks means that when a patient encounters a dentist with an ongoing university connection, that dentist is more likely to be engaged and have a lively, positive attitude. Patients pick up on such things and overall perception of a visit can be substantially influenced by psychological factors such as the ones mentioned above.
Lastly, there is something to be said for variety in one's work life. The offset between dental office and university tasks means that when a patient encounters a dentist with an ongoing university connection, that dentist is more likely to be engaged and have a lively, positive attitude. Patients pick up on such things and overall perception of a visit can be substantially influenced by psychological factors such as the ones mentioned above.