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About Dentistry iQ

D. Kellus Pruitt DDS

I just read a misleading press release on Dental Economics subsidiary Dentistry iQ that is presented as a credible article titled “Guardian Recognized as One of the Nation’s Leading Dental Carriers by Benefits Selling Magazine Readers” (no byline).

http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/news-display/1307102704.html

“NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), one of the largest mutual life insurers and a leading provider of employee benefits, today announced that it has been recognized by the readers of Benefits Selling magazine as one of the nation’s leading dental insurance carriers for the second consecutive year…”

My Research 

I did some quick research on Guardian’s discount dentistry plans and I have some questions for Dental Economics Vice President Lyle Hoyt – the official who approved the advertisement deal (as far as anyone can tell). First of all, how come at least 19 out of the 25 Austin, Texas dentists listed in their DentalGuard Preferred Provider list work for “clinics”? 12 of them work for Castle Dental.

http://www.geoaccess.com/guardian/po56/DisplayResults.asp

It took me 3 minutes to come up with this information. I ask you, Lyle, did you do any fact checking before you took Guardian’s money? I also glanced at Guardian’s PPO lists from other cities with the same result – If one purchases DentalGuard, one should be prepared for McDentist.

My Bias 

But maybe I judge Castle Dental too harshly. After all, I am admittedly biased. To me, a name on the door of a business connotes accountability backed up by transparency and a suggestion of permanence. Guardian officials should know that their clients don’t like to change dentists, so why are so many of them sent to Castle – 12 months per contract period? And how good of a job is Castle doing? So, I checked the Austin Better Business Bureau to see if Castle Dental has a history with them. Indeed they do! Of the 5 encounters Castle Dental has had with the Austin BBB, they were awarded grades of 3 Bs and 2 Fs.

http://austin.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews/

If Castle Dental’s dentists had college grades like that, they would have never made it to dental school. Although, if they lived in New Mexico, I hear one can do discount dentistry as a dental therapists with little more than a high school education … sorry. I digress.

The Advertisement 

The ad for Guardian’s discount dentistry continues: “Benefit Selling’s readership of 55,000 benefits brokers voted Guardian as one of the top dental carriers in the 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards, which were announced in the magazine’s November issue. With more than 70,000 dentists, Guardian boasts one of the largest dental networks in the country and was cited by one participant as ‘the most innovative carrier for dental and a great partner for all ancillary products from life to DI and vision.’”

So Guardian is both “Innovative” and “a great partner” in dentistry? Really-Lyle? Those who stand to profit from dental therapists in New Mexico say the same things – based on an experiment in Alaska that involved 5 therapists and 300 patients … Sorry. There I go again.

My Business Policy Interpretation  

Please allow me to share my interpretation of Dental Economics business policy: If it’s a paid ad with no byline and no opportunity for troublemakers to comment – thus protecting Dental Economics VP Lyle Hoyt – nobody spends any effort checking for misleading and harmful information their bosses promote. After all, even if someone were to demand personal accountability from an online publisher like Dental Economics, what harm could they possibly do to such a well-established news outlet’s credibility? Let’s just see.

Assessment 

I know Dental Economics has to make money somehow, but you should show more respect to dentists and more compassion for dental patients, Lyle Hoyt.

Conclusion

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Filed under: Breaking News, Career Development, Health Insurance, Marketing & Advertising, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Pruitt's Platform | Tagged: Castle Dental, Darrell :ruitt, dental benefits, dental economics, dental insurance, DentalGuard Preferred Provider, Dentistry iQ, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Guardian’s discount dentistry plans, Lyle Hoyt | 1 Comment »