Today I am doing something very different. It's a travel day for me and in the wake of Hurricane Irene, transportation proved to be a challenge. I need to get to Wilmington, Delaware, about 120 miles from home. This being Labor Day weekend, driving off Long Island was uncertain. The traffic is extreme and many of the areas I would need to go through are suffering from flooding, damaged bridges and destroyed roadways. Usually, this trip for me would be an easy flight into Philly and a car ride from there but with thousands of cancelled flights the airports are a mess. I had one other option and I took it.

So, I am writing this from the Amtrak Acela, cruising through New Jersey's farmland at 90 miles an hour. If I didn't look out the window I would think I was on an airplane. Comfortable and ample seating, access to the Club Car for food and beverages. Free Wi-Fi is an added bonus. I will arrive in Delaware in just under two hours. Sure I had to get to New York's Penn Station, but that's simple. Just a short walk from home and a 45-minute ride to 'The City.' Just being in Manhattan is exciting. I happened to be early so I made a quick trip to my favorite spot - Little Italy Pizza on 5th and 35th - for the best deal in all of Manhattan. Two slices and a soda for five bucks. It also happens to be the best pizza in the world.

As I sit contemplating the events of the day as well as the past week, I realize that being dynamic and able to shift gears to accomplish something that works in light of the prevailing conditions is the key to success. Not just in life but in the business of dentistry as well. I was further inspired by some recent dialogue on the cerecdoctors.com message board regarding different people's views of the same situation. A huge diversity of treatment options was presented by various doctors all having the same goal. Everyone wanted the same thing - the best, longest lasting treatment for the patient. The thing that was missing to everyone except the original poster, however, was knowledge of the patient's desires. It is so easy to diagnose when the patient is unknown. We diagnose DENTISTRY in that situation when in reality we need to diagnose the PATIENT.

So, just like considering various forms of transportation to get the best end result, we need to evaluate different treatment options and make a mutual decision based upon our expertise as dentists and the patient's desires and abilities. I rarely present a treatment plan that is not altered somewhat to better accommodate the patient's ideas of what he or she wants. We need to offer guidance when the patient's thoughts can lead to compromised treatment and we even need to step back and not treat when the patient's desires are not in line with what we are willing to do. It is the ability to be dynamic, hear the patient, educate and arrive at a mutually acceptable treatment plan that is so important. It is a skill that requires compassion and understanding.

So, make lemonade from those lemons that we get from life. Work to find an acceptable plan and then enact it. Be dynamic and make changes along the way as situations change. Most of all be comfortable with what you are doing. That makes everyone happy, including yourself. Just arriving in Wilmington a few minutes early. Ha. I love it when a plan comes together!