What happens when a dentist continues to work at a practice he has sold?

silvercar

As the title really. I am concerned what happens to after care of patients.

At the moment the dentist who originally owned the practice is working in it part time, but this could stop.

I have crowns and an implant from this dentist, will the new practice owners be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

I have seen the new dentist as an emergency and got the "hard sell" to move over to be his patient, even though my current dentist is still there. That left me feeling uncomfortable and I thought was unprofessional.

brook2jack

In general when a dentist sells a practice and stays on he becomes an associate ie he pays a percentage of his earnings to the practice owner to cover the costs of the surgery.

He is still responsible for his own patients as an independent practitioner but no longer has any say in the running of the practice eg staffing , costs of treatment etc.

Most dentists will stay on for at least a while after selling to ensure continuity and a smooth handover. When they do leave a sum of money is left with the practice to cover any guarantees , work that needs replacing etc.

Toothsmith

As Brook said. It's the usual way a dentist moves towards retirement.

Your old dentist will be winding down, and the new one will be gradually taking over.

I would say it was quite a compliment that he wanted to take you over so quickly - he obviously thinks there are no hidden 'gremlins' in your mouth, and he would be happy to start seeing you.

If there was anything he was concerned by in your mouth, he'd probably have had a quiet word with your old dentist, and just asking him to 'have a closer look' at the concern next time you were in.

Dentistry is a very close relationship between the dentist and the patient. People are always a bit nervous when a new person has to take over. But this way is generally accepted as the best way to do it if you can.

The new regime will take over the general maintenance of everything and all should continue pretty much as it ever did. Just with a different person.

silvercar

I would say it was quite a compliment that he wanted to take you over so quickly - he obviously thinks there are no hidden 'gremlins' in your mouth, and he would be happy to start seeing you.

That's interesting. I thought he was looking at the potential for expensive treatments like crowns and implants!

Toothsmith

It's a bit hard to judge what you're asking in those first few lines.

"What happens when a dentist continues to work at a practice he has sold?"

Well he works there and winds down his patient list and the time he spends there, whilst the new dentist works his way in.

Does the new dentist take over ongoing care for crowns and implants provided by the other dentist?

Yes, but 'ongoing care' is checking them, making sure you're doing your part in looking after them effectively, and then replacing stuff if/when it comes to the end of it's life. Just like your old dentist would have. Should anything fail early due to some defect - then he may well take on the responsibility for that and come to some arrangement for replacement - but really after a couple of years after fitting, it is very hard to judge what is a defect over what may be lack of care. So even your own dentist wouldn't have done anything at zero cost after a period like that.

If you may need future big work, then having it done by the new dentist rather than your old one makes sense. The new dentist doing it would make him more responsible for its ongoing care & maintenance and any problems that may happen than if they were done by someone else.

If you just don't like the manner, or don't feel comfortable with the new dentist - then that is a different question, and one that you have to make up your mind on. Dentistry is a very personal service, and you have to feel comfortable with the person you choose to provide it. Particularly if you may need more big work done in the future.

One thing seems certain though - your old dentist is starting his exit program. You will need to find someone new in the next year or two. You just need to decide if the person buying his practice is the right one for you. Maybe switching to him sooner rather than later, but not allowing yourself to being talked into anything too radical just yet (unless he feels it absolutely necessary - when seeking a 2nd opinion either from your existing dentist or a potential new practice might not be a bad idea) and see how you go on with him just looking after the basics to start with whilst you build a bit of trust?

silvercar

Brilliant post, thank you so much.

I wasn't quite happy with something the new guy had said (basically a tooth is beyond repair) and was struggling to think where to get a second opinion. I didn't think that I could go back and see my original dentist without offending the new one, but of course I can.

silvercar

So original dentist can save this tooth.

Which is good news for me and good news for the tooth. Also for the original dentist, who I will now stick to.

It means that I will be looking for a new dentist in the not too distant future, which is frustrating.