Value-Added Service

The thing about being cheap is, well, it’s cheap.  Thrifty — now there’s a great term.  But the best way I can feel that I’m getting a deal, is to find that value-added service that makes me say, “Boy, am I glad I came here.”  I found such a service recently.

Preface: I have not had good experiences with health care providers here in Omaha.  I’ve found that mostly, the office staff do not care for their jobs, apparently.  Either that, or their jobs do not really, truly incorporate customer/patient service.  Especially true with dental offices.  That’s my experience, I’m sorry to say.

Recently I had to make dental appointments for myself and my sons, and for a variety of reasons, I decided to take the opportunity to switch dentists.  The new dental plan has a nifty doctor-finder, which I used, and I found one closeby, with Saturday hours, who could see us within a reasonable time frame.  Dr. Straub, Whispering Ridge Dental, in front of the HyVee at 156/Maple.

Dr. Straub answers his own phone, first of all, which impresses me, and he makes the reminder calls.  I appreciate a provider who does what needs to be done.  While he does have minimal staff, he is not to “above” knowing how to file an insurance claim, and even doing it.

His x-rays are digital.  Very cool.  No harmful chemicals poured into the environment, no waiting endlessly, and no blurry images that can’t be retaken.  You moved!  Delete it and do it again.  Five whole seconds.

I have also been enduring the age-old struggle with my sons regarding brushing, flossing, and understanding why.  Dr. Straub was not afraid to lay it on the line with my kids: you can brush with toothpaste and floss now, or I can use a drill later, it’s up to you.  THANK YOU!  Finally, a straight-talking doc who will strongly reinforce our efforts with our kids.  No cow-towing, no pacifying, no sugar-coating (pardon the pun).  Okay, so Dr. Straub is from Jersey, and they’re pretty direct there.  I appreciate a provider who will recognize the dynamics and professionally address my sons’ needs (not wishes).

I hadn’t had a cavity in 21 years.  Until a few weeks ago.  I was having discomfort.  He found four.  Then his assistant took pics with a nifty lipstick camera, and they appeared on the TV installed to relax the patients.  How cool is that?!  I could actually see what needed to be filled, and why, instead of blindly trusting that work needed to be done.  I appreciate a provider who understands that I want to know what’s going on and participate in my own health care.

“Do it,” I said.  “But first check my insurance.” 

“You’re covered,” he said.  “Your cost for everything will be $XX.  We already checked your insurance when you got here, and even have this coverage chart (waving it) in your file.”  I appreciate a provider who understands that cost is a factor, and that I haven’t memorized the 86-page policy that Human Resources provided five months ago.

Value-added!  Even if we just had the semi-annual cleaning and checkup at no cost to us, there was value added to the experience.  Plus, he’s pretty funny, so there’s that, which my kids really liked.  And if they like the dentist, we’re in really good shape.

P.S. — I was having trouble with one filling.  Ba-da-bing!  The doc smoothed it out and made it right without issue.  He even offered to see me immediately (which unfortunately wasn’t an option).  Excellent.