Q&A with Sorgen Dentistry
In a time where self-care and health are more necessary than ever before, some have found themselves back at the dentist, taking care of that cavity or teeth cleaning that’s been put on the backburner for far too long. Sorgen Dentistry, a privately owned dental practice in Oklahoma City, offers a warm and inviting environment, even for those who tend to feel anxious at the dentist. Dr. Bryan Sorgen, head of Sorgen Dentistry and Vice President of the Oklahoma County Dental Society, cares about the details, design, and perfection. Here, we chat with Dr. Sorgen about his journey to dentistry, building relationships with clients, and sound advice for the apprehensive patient.
Tell me about Sorgen Dentistry. What services do you offer and how are you different?
We are a single-doctor, privately-owned dental practice, proudly offering top-quality cosmetic and restorative treatments for the entire family. We strive to provide every patient with exceptional service and a tailored experience designed for each patient’s unique needs, using progressive methods and a caring approach. When we consult with our patients, we educate them and give them various treatment options so that they are empowered to make the decision that is right for their health goals and financial circumstances.
We just relocated to our gorgeous new dental office, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome our family of patients through our doors! Building this office started with years of planning and a vision that provides our patients with the most pleasant dental experience imaginable. Everything—literally everything—is comforting. The beautiful color palette, the well-appointed waiting room, the children’s nook, the dental chairs, the music, the always-fresh flowers, and the overhead lighting provides a comforting space. We truly believe that the level of detail and effort we have poured into our new space is unmatched and serves as a testament to the detailed attention we give to each patient’s smile.
What attracted you to the profession of dentistry?
I wanted to be a part of a healthcare profession that would make a positive impact on someone else’s life and offers the opportunity to help others create and maintain a state of wellness. These things, along with my passion for artistry, precision, and science attracted me to the field of dentistry. My career has been rewarding for me on a multitude of levels, mainly because of the relationships I have developed with my patient family. Being able to use my craft to create a new smile that brings out a person’s confidence, self-esteem, and raw emotion is one of the most powerful things about my profession.
If you could have a heartfelt discussion with a prospective patient who may be apprehensive about going to the dentist, what would you tell them?
Patients need to prioritize care over cost when it comes to their dental care. We all want great care for the best value. Generally speaking, when someone is expecting to receive great care, exceptional skill, sound judgment and the cheapest cost, one factor has to give way; cheaper is not always better. Patients need to take these sacrifices into consideration when picking a dental provider.
I find that most patients are typically misinformed or completely uninformed about their dental benefits coverage. Additionally, many people assume that if a provider is not “in-network,” then they do not accept their insurance. This is a false assumption, and more often than not it costs no more or very little out of pocket to see the provider of your choice. The best approach is to find a dental office you feel will provide the best care for you. Call the office of interest and speak to the insurance coordinator. At our office, we provide a complimentary benefit check to better understand your insurance so we know what services are reimbursed and which are not.
At Sorgen Dentistry, we have to be very selective about which dental insurance plans we contract with. For one, I won’t allow insurance companies to dictate what is best for my patients and their unique situation. Secondly, I seek to be the best dentist that I can be, consistently elevating the level of care that I provide and materials I use to achieve the ideal outcome for my patient, and I can’t let insurance companies’ fee reductions devalue that. Lastly, I want to have the most talented team serving my patients’ every dental need. I work with an extraordinary group of women who are professional, treat my patients well, and embrace our core values. Retaining talented employees comes at a price, and they are worth it!
Where is dentistry today?
Dentistry as a whole is being marketed as a commodity rather than a service. This is evidenced by the catchy advertisements that patients and consumers are bombarded with offering too-good-to-be-true pricing on crowns, implants, and other similar services. In addition, dental insurance companies look to drive down their costs while increasing profits. Providers who are “in-network” with insurance companies take massive fee reductions, forcing them to double the amount of people they see in a day in order to turn a profit. What this could potentially mean for the patient/consumer is less time spent with them during their appointments, which can lead to reduced care and compassion. This shift in dentistry diminishes the very skillset that dentists like me have invested time, finances, effort, and energy to perfect. A crown isn’t just a “crown”— it takes professional judgement to recommend the right treatment for my patient based on their individual circumstances, a very high level of precision, and my ability to provide the patient with the stellar results that he/she deserves.
Additionally, there has also been a significant increase in investor-owned, corporate dental offices across not only Oklahoma, but the entire United States. Typically, the dentists working in these offices are being managed by non-dentists creating “quotas” and incentives which push non-covered or elective procedures. Such business models can negatively influence diagnosis and treatment decisions made for the patient.
I pray that dentistry can continue to be a profession built on relationships and mutual trust, and not a commodity-based model that so many offices have turned it into. I have a personal relationship with my patients, one that I have had the privilege of earning over time. My team members know all of our patients by name. We have spent a personal moment with our patients over many weeks, sometimes months, improving the state of their health, smile, and their life. Every patient deserves to be heard, advocated for, and treated with the utmost respect.
2020 has been a challenging year for us all, but difficult times ignite the opportunity for personal and professional growth. My wife and I have had our fair share of sleepless nights during this building project - how are we going to manage virtual learning for our three children while running a business, growing our patient base, building a state-of-the-art office, and still have time for sleep and self-care? The power of faith and the love and support from our family and friends has seen us through. We have been humbled, over and over again, by the support our patients have shown us this year. We are thrilled that, in the midst of a pandemic, our patients feel safe coming to our office. These things reassure me that our exceptional services and compassionate care can never - will never - be compromised and that we must be doing something right.
photos by Charlie Neuenschwander and Kennon Bryce