About Benedict Rich, DDS

I graduated from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 1984. My first post-graduate year was spent as a general practice resident in at the West Haven Veterans Administration. The next two post-graduate years were as the resident in prosthodontics at the Montefiore Medical Center from where I received my Certificate in Prosthodontics. I have been practicing in Norwalk, CT, since 1987. Since finishing my education I have taught clinical post-graduate prosthodontics one full day a week. I am now an assistant clinical professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in the Division of Post-graduate Prosthodontics. My teaching commitment is very important to me. The students and the dental school environment help to keep me sharp and up to date. I also attend a number of academic dental meetings every year and read dental journals relevant to my field to keep abreast of the latest developments. My philosophy of practice starts with the Latin adage Primum non noceri; above all else do no harm. The decision to treat is the most important decision that is made. Will this treatment benefit the patient? What are the costs to the patient in terms of the biological, the financial, and the time commitment? What are the possible undesirable outcomes of the proposed treatment? What are the risks involved in not treating at all? The benefits of treatment must clearly outweigh the risks to be worthwhile. In 1942, M. M. De Van wrote, ""The patient`s fundamental need is the continued preservation of what remains of his chewing apparatus rather than the meticulous restoration of what is missing"". Our techniques may have improved; our goal must remain the same. Once a decision has been made to treat there may be a number of treatment alternatives. I will attempt to give the patient as much information as I can regarding the different treatment modalities that are appropriate for their specific condition so that the patient can make an informed decision. I strive to stay as current as possible with the literature and advances in technology so that I can be as knowledgeable as possible. There are many aesthetic dental procedures available. I try to spend enough time with my patients so that we both can determine what modality is best suitable. For complex cases there are diagnostic techniques to determine the exact aesthetic deficiency and its correction. I will not perform an elective procedure if I believe that the biological cost to benefit ratio is too high.