Client v. Patient
Traditionally, people receiving treatment have been referred to as
patients. I believe today's fee for service private care
dentistry is ideally relationship based and involves getting people involved in their own success:
a client relationship. It requires time and getting to know what is important to each person. Learning about you is the key to helping you reach the level of health you aspire to.
A
client relationship allows the time that is necessary to treat each person
in a personal caring manner, and scheduling is done to respect your time.
Clients join a practice by invitation
from other satisfied clients. Such practices depend on your being
satisfied with the care and treatment, so that you will feel comfortable
inviting your friends and family to join that dental family.
I believe treatment is based on
what is important to you: your treatment plan is developed with you, not
for you. Patients typically have been people whom doctors
did things to, rather than work with. Clients, on the other
hand, work with their practitioners to achieve a common,
mutually agreed upon objective. The process is totally different, as are the
outcomes. I believe that everyone would want to be a client,
to not merely be included in the processes, but rather be the focus of the
process.
web site content, design, maintenance, and funding by Steven T Bunn, DDS no commercial sponsorship or advertising
Disclaimer: The materials on my web site are not intended as a substitute for professional dental / medical advice, and accordingly you should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. I may change or update information contained on this web site without notice to represent recent developments in health care.
It is important to understand the risks of communicating with you electronically since information will be transmitted over the public Internet, such as a third-party intercepting a message, or the message not getting through. Responses are intended to be timely; however, Dr. Steve Bunn is not liable for the lack of response or delayed responses.
Topics appropriate for email vs. a face-to-face visit include those subjects which are not time sensitive or emergency situations. If you are faced with an emergency, make an appointment with your appropriate healthcare provider or go directly to the emergency room instead of asking for advice via email.
