September 2026 Newsletter: Bucking the System?

Bucking the system. . . I do things differently than other doctors’ offices

Do you ever get frustrated calling a doctor’s office and not getting a real person? I do.

I am noticing more and more offices using artificial intelligence to answer their phones. Truthfully, I find it a little creepy. The old automated systems, the “Press 1 to schedule an appointment, press 2 to speak with an operator”, were annoying enough. But now we have computers actually pretending to be people. They’re programmed to sound friendly, concerned and helpful. Maybe that’s what bothers me most. They sound human.

But they are not. And it doesn’t stop with incoming calls. I’m getting calls from A.I. systems following up on inquiries or representing vendors. I refuse to talk to the things.

Actually, I have a little fun with them. I will respond with answers that have absolutely nothing to do with the question they asked. I picture the A.I. machine becoming so frustrated it begins to vibrate and smoke billow out of its cooling ports.

I know. I need to get out more.

Look, I am all for technology that makes our lives easier. We use plenty of it in dentistry. But when technology starts replacing basic human interaction, I think we have gone too far. That is why you will never hear A.I. answering our phones. When you call our office, you will be greeted by a real person. If you call after hours, you will get an old-fashioned answering machine. Leave a message and a real person will call you back.

That is my promise.

But there is actually a third possibility. If you call after hours, particularly within a few hours of closing, you just might hear: “Hello, this is Dr. Jim.”

Yes, yours truly. I am not above answering my own telephone. If you were to call my cell phone, I would answer it. Why then would I be above answering the office phone, when I can? Think about that for a moment. How many doctors’ offices can you call after hours and actually have the doctor answer the phone?

Why do I do it? Simple.

You have a question. You want to schedule an appointment. Maybe something is bothering you. Whatever the reason, you want to take care of it now, not remember to call again tomorrow.

That is especially true when you are in dental pain. When something hurts, you do not want voicemail trees, artificial intelligence or instructions to call back later.

You want to get out of pain.

I understand because, believe it or not, I also am a patient. I have doctors, too. And nothing frustrates me more than finding a few minutes between patients to call one of my doctors, only to be forced to leave a message, or worse, discover I cannot leave a message and must call back later. That does not fare well with my OCD. I want things handled. And I suspect you do, too.

So don’t be surprised if you call the office after hours and the person who picks up happens to be me. Besides, I actually enjoy talking with my patients.

Technology has its place. But caring for people is still a ‘people’ business. I am here to serve you. And sometimes serving you means simply picking up the phone.

Dr. Jim

Cruising The Mother Road

Route 66 is one of the most iconic roads in American history, symbolizing freedom, opportunity, adventure, and the open road. Established in 1926, the highway originally stretched roughly 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, passing through eight states and connecting small towns with growing cities across the heart of America. During the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, thousands of families traveled west on Route 66 searching for work and a better life, earning it the nickname “The Mother Road,” popularized by John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.

After World War II, Route 66 became the highway of the great American road trip, lined with neon motels, diners, gas stations, drive-ins, roadside attractions, and businesses serving a newly mobile middle class.

The development of the Interstate Highway System gradually bypassed the old road, and Route 66 was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985. Disney represented this in Disney’s 2006 animation, Cars. Route 66’s importance has grown in popular culture, especially among my generation, who is old enough to remember it, or better yet, traveled it. Today it is preserved as Historic Route 66, and remains a powerful piece of Americana; a reminder of an era when getting somewhere was as much about the people, places, and experiences encountered along the way as it was about reaching the destination.

On Saturday, August 29^th, I attended the 100-year celebration of Route 66. I met some wonderful people, saw some great cars. I was fortunate to be present during the filming of the local network promo videos the weekend before.

I am considering teaming up to host a local car show rally as a fund raiser for Special Smiles Foundation. If you have a vintage or classic car, I would love to hear about it, and, possibly include you and your car in the show. Secondly, I am looking for corporate sponsors to help organize the event. If you know anyone, please share their name and contact information with me.

Now Accepting New Patients

Patients tell me often, “Doc, you’re busy with patients and all the other activities we read about in the newsletter, are you accepting new patients?” The answer is YES! If you have a friend, family member, or coworker looking for a dentist, we would be honored if you shared our name and phone number with them. Your referral is one of the greatest compliments you can give us, and we would love the opportunity to care for more great patients just like you.

If you know a family with a special needs member and they have struggled to find a dentist willing to see them, I want you to know I am accepting special needs patients. I treat the patients others won’t.

If they need a dentist, I am their guy. Have them call my office at 708-848-3727.

Here is a new message to patients and families with special needs members. You will start seeing this message more.

A Message from Tufty

Hi! I am Tufty the Tuft Toothbrush! I may be little, but I can get into places your regular toothbrush has trouble reaching!

My specially shaped tuft bristles help me get behind those hard to reach back teeth, inside your lower front teeth where plaque likes to hide, and for your tongue.

Think of your regular toothbrush as the big cleaning crew, and me as the detail guy!
Use me gently along your gumline and wherever Dr. Jim or your hygienist shows you. Together, we’ll help keep your teeth clean, your gums healthy, and your smile looking great.
So, remember... When your regular toothbrush can’t quite get there, call in TUFTY!

Keep smiling!

Your friend, Tufty the Tuft Toothbrush