Customer Reviews

Open Wider: Your Wallet Not Your Mouth - A Consumers Guide to Dentistry

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a general dentist who read this book for a small study club. Here are some thoughts/comments/opinions that were given about this book by members:

Group consensus was that while there is always a need to question the integrity of our profession - this book seemed to paint with too broad a brush. The underlying tone of book reads as if the profession, as a whole, is unethical. When more than likely there is the same level of honesty that has been present for decades.

Other comments:

"It is as simple as this...do patients trust their dentist? If they don't then they will love this book, if they do?...then they should save their money."

"Dentistry has a large number of gray areas with regard to treatment choices. This message of this book does little to help navigate those areas...other than to infer that you should not trust your dentist."

"The book is poorly illustrated..."

"The narrative seems to paint with a broad brush - which works to erode the professional trust that is a prerequisite to the dentist/patient relationship."

This is a tremendous read with very insightful commentary presented in an easy-to-follow manner. Dr. Quarnstrom offers a terrific overview of the dental process from educational requirements, licensure, regulatory aspects and finally practice management. Salient points are supported with actual cases, and his 40 years of experience in the different facets of this profession help to make better consumers and patients out of all of us. I can only imagine how difficult this story was to get into print, and while some practitioners may find the title and even some of the commentary inflammatory, these are truths that needed to be told. I enjoyed every page, and so far every written review submitted. As a dental consumer I would certainly wonder why some "professionals" are annoyed that this information has been made public in a very readable format. Thank you Dr. Quarnstrom et al.!

This book strikes on a strong point about seeking a second opinion and arming yourself with knowledge when meeting with a dentist and more generally a medical professional. This book helps you know what questions to ask and to look past the superficial appearance and rate a dental professional by the quality of their work instead of the price tag of their bill. I highly recommend this book. Lastly, in my opinion I feel the only negative comments come from dentist whom don't want their patients to be better informed or haven't read the book.

You can always tell when a book hits a nerve. Always buy the the book with 1 and 5 stars. It will make you think. Thinking is good, and so is this book.

This is a wonderful book for every dental consumer, regardless of your age! Don't be afraid to ask questions and get a second opinion. A good dentist will give you options that seem reasonable. A good dentist will not tell you your mouth is a mess and suggest a lot of work. I recommend this book for every household - use it as a reference guide and a tool to make you a better patient.
Thank you for writing this book Dr. Q!

In the interest of full disclosure, Dr. Q has been my family's dentist for many years, after we had first suffered through several years of other "cutting edge" Seattle dentists--including expensive, high tech glass crowns that disintegrated in months and needless replacements of old but fully intact fillings. The same fun but professional manner and sage advice that marks a visit to Dr. Q's office come across the pages of "Open Wider".

Since the publication of his highly readable and accessible book, Dr. Quarnstrom has become a hero in our state by resigning from the Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission over that body's refusal to investigate dental patient deaths: [...]. Since his resignation, several more questionable deaths in dentists' chairs have come to light. Like his detractors on the Commission, dentists who attack Open Wider's author merely prove what most people already know: Only those who have something to hide resist transparent and open debate by shooting the messenger. Read this book and regain sane control over your own dental health!

Thank goodness! Finally! A wonderful book for the dental consumer! For the first time the dental patient has a encyclopedia of information to help them make decisions about their families' dental care! There is so much
valuable information in this book that I think every household should have one. How do we get dental care information? If you have a great dentist, you're set. If not, now you have Dr. Quarnstrom's book to guide you! I plan to buy it for my adult children.