11/30/2023    Janet McCormick, MS

Addition by Subtraction (Ivar Roth, DPM, MPH)

I agree with most of Dr. Roth's comments
concerning extenders. Medical nail technicians do
leave for many reasons, as do other extenders in
offices - few of us in business have the same
staff as five years ago. To counter this, I
provide podiatrists ways to keep them, such as
suggesting an Educational Agreement and proper
pay, and more. If they continue to leave then I
always make a suggestion toward an evaluation of
staff management practices. I also suggest a
friendly exit to all when and if it happens, that
a well nurtured referral system can be very
profitable on both sides between an MNT and a
podiatry practice. Wise podiatrists who build this
referral system see new clients from this
collaboration on a continual basis.

Over the years, I have made comments comparing the
dental scenario with dental hygienists and
podiatrists with extenders and have mentioned that
many years ago, dentists saw the handwriting on
the wall of needing trained extenders and made
legislative moves toward keeping control - and
continue to do so. It has worked and over all,
dental hygienists have left it alone as most are
pleased with the current setup, as are the
dentists. Podiatrists did not do that, back when
it was possible - the relationship was structured
by dentists before RDH even existed. They even
designed the required education and still do.

I also agree that a formal program through
podiatry schools would be the best scenario.
Actually, I have suggested it as a possibility
with not even a spark of interest from podiatry
schools. The two I approached seemed appalled that
I would even suggest such a potential, looking
very tartly down their noses at the suggestion. If
any school is interested in a discussion, I am
very willing to do so. I believe it would be a
benefit to all, including the patients.

Janet McCormick, MS, Nailcare Academy, LLC,
Naples, FL

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