Dr. Lazaroff is a good dentist (if he doesn't allow himself to be distracted), but a poor business person, IMO. Wise dental office policies can avoid any kind of patient relationship problems.
While at the high end of the price range (early 2021 pricing) for crowns and bridge work, this dentist manufactures temporary bridges and permanent crowns in his office. This can be a good time saving convenience for some people. On 4/29/21, my wife and I finished all work. Cost was $5,700 (-$395 Credit Adjustment) = $5,305 for 4 "crown" pricing on a 4 tooth bridge. My wife's one crown cost = $1,425. Our combined total was $6,730 "paid in full" without insurance.
Here's why he's a poor businessman, IMO. The Dr. and his female dental assistant talked personal business (vacations to Boone, N.C.) right over the patient's head in the chair, while they worked on me, more than any dentist I've ever been to. On too many occasions, I had to ask to rinse my mouth, even when it was full of drilling debris. When I asked a question about her vacation subject matter with the dentist, she indignantly exclaimed "Oh, you're listening?" More attentive respect would have been appreciated.
This extensive "personal business" talk is a potential distraction. IMO, it is the reason why the permanent adhesive for my final bridge was allowed to harden too much before using it. Dr. Lazaroff apologized (and shook my hand) for that, and how rough he had to be to open spaces on both sides of my final bridge. I've had other dentists do worse, so it didn't bother me. It might for others over 70 yrs., old though. This was one of two mistakes.
Ordinarily, this kind of "personal business" talk is not a problem. But with political tribalism (us against them), it can be very unconstructive. I believe I allowed myself to be triggered by something they talked about. I can't remember exactly what, due to my age and Lazaroff immediatly escalating & exacerbating our talk to a heated debate about one politician, but only at first. Then, he went to cable news talking points (racism, immigration, etc.). I never bring up political opinions in a doctor's office without being "baited" or "triggered"! Usually, even then I resist.
Anyway, it's a mute point, since the "buck" begins and stops with the dentist/owner at a truly professional dental office. That triggering made me express my dislike of that one particular politician ("my bad"). But, then Dr. Lazeroff took the ball and ran with it. All during that visit and the last one he escalated & exacerbated it - ("his bad"). He got into "cable news talking point" political opinions, which changed the subject matter for me. So, I resisted escalating further once that started. On the way out the door, he slapped me on the back, and said, half kidding/serious, "I am right and you are wrong!" He probably did this because I would not let him convince me to take ALL of the blame on the first mistake he made with my loose temporary bridge. He admitted he forgot to do a final step in the preparation stage, so the bridge became very loose that night, and required fixing the next day. But right after he admitted exactly what he did wrong, he said "...and that's your fault, right." He appeared to accuse me of distracting him, while not accepting his greater responsibility for the lack of wise "office talk" policies which allowed him to exacerbate the situation. Blaming the patient thiis way for his unawareness of his primary responsibility is not professional, respectful, or wise, IMO.
I was determined on my last visit to not talk any kind of politics. I, again, suggested that it is never constructive. However, he persistently continued to to try to convince me that his many political opinions were right, and I was wrong, even though I never gave my opinions, except at first, about one politician's behavior only! His female dental assistant even joined in with anger towards me versus just my opinions in the previous visit (something angrily said about a politician's father). Again, this is not the professional office environment that most consumers of dental services want, IMO.
I twice suggested he have a firm business policy that no one in his office, especially him, discuss politics. But, his reaction didn't give me hope. IMO, he had a proclivity to rationalize and scapegoat ALL blame to me in this, as he wanted me to admit twice that "It was ALL the patient's fault". I will not let myself be baited again, and I hope the same goes for Dr. Lazaroff. Wise office policies make things go better for ALL!
Oh, and on that last visit the front desk billing lady (Suzanne) has mastered the art of handling the pricing "sticker shock" at final payment time. She indignantly said to us "I'm worth it"! Later she told me she wasn't really offended. But, it was a great way to disarm the "price objection", if there is one. read more
