Attie: have you ever considered referring the parents back to their family
dentist or one with whom you have established a rapport? Or how about an
advanced practice nurse who can do minor surgery, or a midwife who can do
minor surgery. These people may already know how to do a frenotomy or be
willing to learn from someone who does. My point is, why don't we explore
other service pathways? Dentists are primary health care providers, too, as
are midwives is some states.

I remember the first time I stepped out of the refer-back-to the doc mode and
referrred instead to the dentist, the ped was so ticked!! I didn't get
referrals from the whole practice for two years! But, the mom and babe were a
happy nursing couple after the frenotomy. I still got to see the practice's
patients because they self-referred or were referred from other sources. The
practice finally started referring again because they saw that I really helped
their patients. That was a very valuable lesson for me and it has influenced
my practice philosphy since then. My client is my responsibility. That to me
is sacred. So now, I have this great refferal network that includes every type
of practitioner you can think of. It has been so rewarding to influence and be
influenced by these various practitioners. And very productive for the client,
as well.

Alison K. Hazelbaker