Many Dentists Have Been Disappointed by Dental Consultants
Dental Consultants Prove Controversial
In our most recent survey, we asked dentists if they have ever had bad experiences with dental consultants - and most of them said “yes.”
The majority (62%) indicate they have had problems with consultants in the past. On the other hand, 38% report being smart and/or lucky enough to avoid the bad ones.
Check out some of the comments from our dentists…
- “I had an out-of-town consultant before; it was not as helpful as a local one.” (New Jersey dentist)
- “Before you sign, seriously interview the consultant and have a trial period.” (Connecticut dentist)
- “I had the experience of working with a consultant who knew nothing of accounts receivables, good ratios, etc. He was a podiatrist who decided to become a business consultant on the side. He should have stayed with feet!” (New Jersey dental office worker)
- “I paid an excessive amount to consultants who almost destroyed my practice. It has taken two years to repair the damage.” (Kentucky dentist)
- “I got invited to a teaser meeting and returned the next week to experience an aggressive attempt to humiliate me into signing on to an outrageously expensive series of coaching meetings. Not only that, it would eventually involve a religious change.” (Arizona dentist)
- “I ended up being sued by my staff. I never ever want to go to a dental consultant again.” (Michigan dentist)
- “One charged $70,000 up-front. Never delivered, made false promises, and basically took the money and ran.” (Arizona dentist)
- “Most ‘consultants’ want to be practice brokers and not practice builders.” (New York dentist)
- “I have never seen any profession that so over-charges…” (Texas dentist)
- “She had the staff in tears at her initial presentation!” (Massachusetts pediatric dentist)
- “The most recent consultant I had was very negative to my staff and did not return calls.” (North Carolina orthodontist)
- “It’s the L. Ron Hubbard/Scientology ones that drive me crazy.” (Connecticut dentist)
- Post your own comments!
- Read more dentist comments in the full dental consultant survey results
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July 1st, 2007 at 5:47 am
Not one, but two different Scientology-based consultants got me to waste $20,000 total in consulting fees that were, and likely will always have, a negative effect on my practice. It was my poor judgment in succumbing to the extremely agressive pressure(personal pressure by Steve Poore, the owner of Poore Management)to sign up for the $13,000 fee the second time around.
The 1st consultant was not as agressive as the 2nd, but left town owing me time and services already paid for.
The 2nd consultant, Steve Poore, out of Glen Loch, CA, was super agressive, more concerned about getting his monthly fee by mandated overnight delivery than about doing what I asked for the practice. I asked specifically, “Identify strengths of my practice and help me do more of those.” Poore(POOR!) management tried to hammer me through a hole shaped like Poore Management(Scientology-”Hard Sell”:Repulsive!) using a female consultant I’d never met who the staff had no liking or confidence in. I did get prosletyzed for Dianetics in the course of it.
The main loss is the damage to the practice that will likely be forever. I feel like I put a match to $20,000 in cash. I am not a high-volume producer and will never be. I can’t bring myself to invest in another consultant to burn more money for recommendations I can’t use. I just inquired with Sally McKenzie, who seems like a good consultant, but the $18,500 fee quoted brought back images of thousand-dollar bills burning. I have a practice already successful in very many respects. I’ve been in practice 27 years, reputation as the best dentist in the area and strong loyalty and trust from many people who I have known for more than two decades. I don’t want or need to change my practice wholesale. I would appreciate analysis of specifics and only one or two recommendations that I could IMPLEMENT while maintaining the exceptional character and integrity of my practice that is me and my comittment to do the right thing for people as I would appreciate myself. I just can’t change a lot of things- and don’t need or want to.
My last waste to a consultant (of $3,000) was to a consultant who gave me an analysis of the practice and no recommendations.
I’d say avoid all Scientologists and anyone who uses high-pressure tactics to tell you what is in your own best interests.