Dental Practice Romance: It's Getting Hot in Here

February 11, 2008 (San Francisco, California) - One of five dentists admitted to dating a coworker or employee at their dental practice (other than their spouse) in a recent Wealthy Dentist survey. Most caution against mixing business with pleasure, but a few happy marriages have been born in the dental office.

Office Affairs Can Be Bad for Business

Many dentists pointed out that romance in the workplace can be a poor business choice. "It's a very bad idea in the workplace," commented an endodontist. "There becomes a conflict of interest in a larger workplace when this relationship affects the way the staff member performs their job, for example favoring which dentist gets the new patients," agreed an Australia dentist.

Gender played a distinct role in a dentist's experience with office romance. One in four male dentists acknowledged having a romantic relationship with a coworker, while only one in ten female dentists did.

An office affair can leave a dentist open to allegations of sexual harassment. "Bad for business. Don't dip your pen in company ink," said a South Carolina prosthodontist. "I had an associate dentist involved with an assistant, and sexual harassment charges were brought against him. Horrible situation for all involved."

Finding Love at Work

Some dentists took a more realistic view of personal relations. "It happens, because of working in close proximity, but it should be handled in an appropriate, professional manner," declared an Oregon dentist. "Sounds like fun, but in the long run a bad idea," a Colorado dentist advised.

Fair coverage demands acknowledging the healthy, happy relationships sometimes formed by coworkers. "I dated my patient coordinator for a year, and we have now been married three years," shared a Massachusetts dentist. "She was my best employee and I was afraid if it didn't work out I would lose her, but it was the best decision that I have ever made. There is more to life than dentistry!"

Heartbreak in the Office

Office relationships can be a shortcut to heartbreak. "Fourteen years ago I fell in love with my hygienist during a midlife crisis," said a Texas dentist. "As a result, my marriage ended in divorce. Three years later the hygienist broke off the relationship due to guilt. I was devastated. The emotional damage to my children and ex-wife was significant. Some aspects of my relationship with my children are permanently damaged. The temptation can be extremely powerful, but the result will be harmful to everyone involved! I turned my back on God and family and am responsible for the consequences."

"I'm not exactly shocked that dentists date coworkers," said Jim Du Molin, dental consultant and founder of The Wealthy Dentist. "It's obviously a bad idea - but it's equally obvious that people will sometimes give in to temptation!"

Other dentist surveys from the Wealthy Dentist cover topics such as cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and dentures.

The Wealthy Dentist is a sister site of the Internet Dental Alliance. IDA provides dentists and dental practices with dental web sites, internet dental marketing campaigns, email patient newsletters, and find a dentist directory services.

Contact:
Jim Du Molin
http://www.thewealthydentist.com
415-435-2820