Dentalcompare
Clinical Director
ABC News is reporting on a New York Dentist that is threatening to sue a patient for a negative review on Yelp. The best, and worst, thing about Yelp has always been that it has un-edited, unabashed user generated content. The problem is that the reviews are wholly based on that individuals experience, and that does not necessarily provide a snapshot of whether or not a business is good or bad. Who knows what kind of day that person was having, or what type of temporary trouble the business was experiencing that day? Further, if a place only has one review, that is hardly a reason to go to or avoid the place.
In the case of the dentist, the problem stems from a disagreement over treatment and the cost of that treatment. In my experience, 99% of problems with patients comes from a lack of communication on exactly what they need, and how much it is going to cost. At the very least, this is a wonderful reminder to stay in touch with patients and to be very clear about what you are recommending as a dentist.
For patients, make sure you are asking the right questions. No one cares about your money more than you. Never feel trapped into treatment, but ask enough questions to feel like you understand exactly what is being recommended. If you feel you are being brushed aside, get a second opinion.
Like a lot of things, it’s important to weigh the bigger picture. One bad review should not necessarily sway anyone anyway. With all the newest capabilities of social media, let’s not forget Statistics 101.