John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Dentists and Valvoline

Could dentists learn anything from Valvoline?

A lot of people hate going to the dentist, even for just a regular teeth cleaning every six months.

It’s that time again for me this week and although it’s a hassle, it’s important, and I can’t say I dread going–but admit that it could be a more upbeat experience. I think it’s because dentists, as a group, aren’t great sales people. And could learn a thing or two from Valvoline.

I’m also getting my oil changed this week at Valvoline. And what a contrast to my dental visits. I’ve never seen so much enthusiasm and activity over something so trivial.

When you pull into Valvoline for an oil change, you feel like you are about to get some sort of transformative car treatment –possibly one that could improve your overall quality of life.

You feel that somethng important and mysterious is taking place in the bowels of the service station where oil is being changed out for newer, clearner oil. There is clapping and shouting that is part military protocal and part circus troupe act.

I do love the enthusiasm and theatrics. And it’s good sales strategy. But I think Valvoline over does it. And I wish they’d just charge, say, $2 for the show rather than to fold in the performance price by trying to convince me every visit I need a new air filter.

My dentist, by contrast, is an uneventful visit. The dental hygenists don’t clap or bark orders back and forth in rapid fire style. It makes me wonder sometimes if they received as good training as the people at Valvoline. And they don’t create the sense that something urgent and profound is happening to me.

Mostly I just feel like I’m getting my teeth cleaned. And that’s it. And now that I’m adult, I don’t even get a free toothbrush when I leave.

Sometimes I wish my dentist were more of a showman and I felt like getting my teeth cleaned was going to be as memorable and as inspiring an experience as, say, getting an oil change.

And if it were I may not even mind having to buy an unneeded air filter at the end of my appointment