Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard E. Wolfert, DMD.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Richard. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was active duty in the US Navy starting in 1981. In 1986, I was stationed on an Aircraft Carrier, the USS Midway CV41. There are multiple departments on an Aircraft Carrier and each department has a department head. The Department Heads met once a week with the Commanding Officer of the ship. The commander had nicknames for many of the department heads. For example, the officer in charge of the planes and helicopters was called the AirBoss, and so on and so on. At one such meeting the Commander felt that his Dental Department Head needed a nickname. So was born The Toothboss.
In 1992, I started my private practice and have been providing dentistry for my community since. I feel we do a very good job of spending time with each patient and providing them the best care available.
Has it been a smooth road?
Dental insurance has been a blessing and a curse. When it was initiated, it motivated patients to come in to their dentist and the reimbursement levels were such that the dentists appreciated having patients with insurance to ensure a consistent cash flow. Now the premiums have risen so much that some people don’t have dental insurance and are using that as a reason NOT to come in even for preventive care. And although the premiums for patients have increased considerably, the benefits to the patient have become more restrictive and the reimbursements to dentist hardly cover the overhead, never mind provide for any type of profit which a business requires to keep viable. So patients are receiving less and below standard care and the providers are getting less of the pie while the insurance companies are making their owners and investors a lot of money.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We start with a thorough examination process that takes place with the Doctor (The Toothboss) and not with an auxiliary like most practices. We provide a complete exam that includes a follow up written report of findings. We spend a lot of time with our patients so they feel comfortable and satisfied with the treatment we provide.
Most practices these days treat patients as if they are “profit centers” and may not be providing them with the care that they need. And with the financial pressures dentists (especially new graduates) are feeling because of the costs of schooling ($500,00 and more) and the 60-70% overhead to provide care in a private practice setting are sometimes overtreating planning in order to make their time profitable or to impress an owner of the practice. This model is especially prevalent in dental corporations like Gentle Dentle and Apsen dental.
We do NOT do that.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Because there are three dental schools in Boston and many of the dental students have developed an affinity for the Boston area after 4 years or more of post graduate study they tend to stay in the area. As a result, there is a lot of competition which puts further pressure on a dental practice to survive. There is really nothing the city can do about this problem. It’s a matter of the dentist finding a niche they can survive and practice with in to make their businesses profitable.
Contact Info:
- Address: Rick Wolfert
1121 Main Street, Suite #2,
South Weymouth, MA 02190 - Website: www.toothboss.com
- Phone: 781-335-0604
- Email: toothboss1@aol.com
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
