Dentists Would Rather Treat Denture Patients than Refer Them to a Prosthodontist

The Wealthy Dentist Survey Results: Do You Offer In-House Dentures?

In our most recent survey, we asked dentists if they offer in-house denture services. A whopping 94% of our respondents said yes, their practices can meet the needs of denture patients. Only 7% report that they refer denture patients out to a prosthodontist. Said one dentist: “I only refer out the most difficult cases. I do not like sending profits out the door.” Another commented, “I do some dentures, and I would like to do more, but denture patients can be a pain to deal with.”

• “The needs of the patient take precedence… When the patient’s needs require the services of a specialist, the dentist refers to the specialist.” (California dentist)
• “It’s a great idea.” (New Mexico prosthodontist)
• “Prosthodontists certainly cannot make dentures better than I can.Send all of your cases to me, a dentist.” (Texas dentist)
• “They are a great place to send your nightmare patients.” (Illinois dentist)
• “They have less experience than I do.” (Missouri dentist)
• “My 1978 University of Southern California Dental School graduating class was taught how to perform denture services. I never enjoyed doing dentures until I began offering dental implants for support and retention; now every complaint has a solution.” (California dental implantologist)
• “Why? Unless it is maxillo-facial reconstruction work, what do they know that I do not?” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “Prosthodontists are invaluable for allowing me to charge what I need to make quality dentures… I can show them my prosthodontist’s fee, and they know they are getting a bargain.” (Michigan dentist)
• “Thank god for them…because I, like most other dentists I know, can’t stand doing removable….” (North Carolina dentist)
• “We have no prosthodontist in our area. Both of our doctors are well-trained & abreast of technologies.” (Georgia dentist)

Check out the complete in-house dentures survey results.