A Special Valentine's Message
By Dr. Dave Cutts
You may have noticed that Kindness has been on my mind lately. It was the subject of my recent Christmas newsletter which you can read HERE, if you missed it.
Kindness /ˈkīn(d)nəs/ definition: thoughtful, treating others the way you would want to be treated, merciful
Now we have Valentine's Day where we celebrate "Love". Probably the most misunderstood word in human experience.
And certainly not a word associated with a business, right?
But it's a word heard all day long at our office. (I hesitate to write that because it sounds so trite and unreal in today's world.)
But it IS actually quite true.
It all started years ago when I looked into the eyes of one of my older patients and saw, for a moment, my mother who had passed away recently. I slowed down and spent extra time and shared a hug as she left.
And then I saw more and more until it was every patient I met. They ALL felt like family to me.
I started looking for ways to deliver quality dentistry with more heart and less cost as much as possible. ("Less Drilling is Better" is a core value.)
And I was "paid" more in appreciation, trust and hugs.
"I love you", some whispered in my ear.
Eventually (honestly, it took awhile to become comfortable with this), I started whispering back,
"I love you too."
There are many other ways that you say "I love you" in our office, and I want you to know that we hear and feel every one of them.
It's not the words. It's how you say them. "I trust you guys completely."
Or simply, "THANK YOU" with that special look in your eyes.
And always, the hugs. We're big huggers here! (I read recently that a 22 second hug releases more endorphins than any drug.)
HUGS NOT DRUGS!!
One of our favorites is the 'group hug' at the end of the appointment. It's our way of saying, "We know how stressful our work is for you, so THANK YOU for being such a great patient!"
And honestly, we ARE amazed at how you guys put up with what we do!
Every morning, we have our huddle and our number one favorite topic is how lucky we are to have you as our patients. We call you each by name and talk about how great you were to work with.
But where does KINDNESS fit in here?
I think it is LOVE IN ACTION. It's a doing, not just a vague thing.
My kindest professor (among a good number) was Dr. Larry Day, assistant Chairman of Oral Surgery.
"Be kind to the tissue", he would say.
(He meant, "Slow down and treat the tissue, the patient, the way YOU would want to be treated.")
Dr. Day was humble, loving and kind.
Now I realize what he was trying to pass on to us. "Treat the PERSON, young doctors."
Is it possible to do or make something with a little love and kindness mixed in?
I think so, whether that thing is dental work, soup, or a knitted gift. Something made with love FEELS or TASTES better!
My team and I feel and see the effects of an increasingly impersonal health care system around us.
Honestly, it's a bit anguishing. The hype, the selling, the burnout of doctors and staff whose souls are not being fed.
This system "thinks" that "technology", "teeth-in-a- day", and "laser everything" can be hyped-up enough so that the heart is reduced in importance.
And maybe that works for some people and business models. (For the short term!)
Perhaps you see why we appreciate you so much now. We are very unique in our field. Our souls are fed every day and we know how fortunate we are.
Many young doctors and staff ask me, "What do you mean by 'It's all about the love!'" (One of our core values)
I mean kindness...in action.Slow down. Enjoy the person. Look at life from their side. Work out what is right for THEM. Really, for us, it's a sacred trust.
Thank you for sharing this, and all the hugs with us!
It really IS "All About the Love!"
With much love and gratitude,
Dr. Cutts
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