I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know about how valuable the services of George Vaill, Dental Office Lease Negotiations, have been to me the last two years. You may not know that in addition to negotiating office leases for dentists nationwide, George also sets up leasing programs for dentists who become landlords when they buy or build a building.
I originally was leasing office space from a very indifferent landlord. This motivated me to move out of my space and purchase my own office condominium in September 2003. During the building phase, I was approached by a medical doctor who wanted to lease some of the space that I could not utilize immediately. George was a tremendous help in guiding me through the establishment of my rental terms, setting up my lease agreement, negotiating the contract with my tenant, and protecting my interests and rights. Through his tenacity he also was able to negotiate more than fair compensation from my new tenant for use of the space with a modest fee for his services.
Several problems have occurred with the tenant since the contract was signed, and I am extremely grateful to George for being so thorough in having placed measures in the contract to protect me. Through his thoroughness and attention to detail, several potential problems have been diverted early-on.
I think your readers should become aware of the value of George’s services in representing not only lessors but also lessees.
Alberto R. Casteneda, DDS, FAGD
Shawnee, Kan.
Excellent article
I want to acknowledge you for the excellent article written by Dr. Roger Levin in your December 2004 issue (Dental Economics, page 33). Having built a million-dollar practice starting from one patient, my experience of offering payment options to my patients was one of the cornerstones to the financial health of my practice.
Financial options proved to be an excellent marketing strategy as well, which kept my patients happy, my staff happy, and me very happy! Keep up the good work!
Frank Wolf, DDS (Retired)
[email protected]
Stop (worrying about) specializing!
Thanks to Dr. Louis Malcmacher for his excellent article in the November 2004 issue of Dental Economics titled, “Dentists: stop specializing!” (page 60). Recently, after watching a pair of videos about how to create the ideal cosmetics practice, I began to feel quite inadequate. The seminars showed “spa dentistry” and “Extreme Makeover dentistry” in a very positive way.
Though I would describe myself as a very conscientious dentist, I started to fall into the trap of wanting to do an extreme makeover on (what has been for me) my very enjoyable and successful practice. Dr. Malcmacher, thanks for saving me from “specializing” and helping me see that my general practice is still OK.
Mike Sagman, DDS
Williamsburg, Va.
Rebuttal from Dr. Matt Bynum
This is a response to the January 2005 letter from Dr. Craig Callen (Dental Economics, page 24) commenting on my October 2004 “Soapbox” column titled, “The Good Ol’ Boys” (page 88). When “The Soapbox” began in January of last year, I described the intent of the column by stating: “My goal each month is going to be to get you to think I’m going to stand here on my proverbial soapbox and stimulate your brain with emotions ranging from humor and frustration to sometimes even anger.” Well, it seems I have been very successful with this one! I received more responses from this one column than nearly all the others combined, and more than 90 percent of them were positive. I felt that I was on the right track until I read Dr. Callen’s letter.
The column was not written to point out inadequacies in treatment or care of the aging dentist, nor was it to discuss inferior treatment modalities or material selection. Many “older” dentists do great restorative dentistry. Dr. Callen misinterpreted the entire column by focusing on such things. It was about poor leadership and poor mentorship that exists today for the new dentist.
My belief is that mentorship exists in all of us. Some of my mentors are as well known as those listed by Dr. Callen, but the majority of them are friends I have met while teaching, speaking, and learning myself. What makes a mentor is not a name or even experience, but an all-around quality person who is able to teach and inspire. What we need is more positive energy and direction from those who can influence others to be more than what they are. What we need is a message that says it is OK to be successful. Dr. Callen, walk a mile in my shoes or in the shoes of any of us younger, more adventurous dentists and you may then begin to understand the meaning of the “good ol’ boys.”
Matt Bynum, DDS
Simpsonville, S.C.
