#topic10

How are you affected by the stereotypes about bi folks?

I didn't even realize that I could validly identify as bi until recently because of the stereotypes around 50/50 attraction or at the very least relationship experience with multiple genders. I was predominantly attracted to men until just the past few months, and before that my attraction to women was infrequent and generally a lot milder so mostly it went under my radar. One of the most common reactions I've gotten from the friends I've told is "but what does this mean for your husband/relationship?" as if I was suddenly going to leave him for a woman. I was able to make them understand that it's more about who I'm capable of being attracted to, and that the attraction I experience doesn't make me incapable of maintaining a committed relationship.

What do you think could be done to make bi folks who fit various bi stereotypes feel better and more supported by the bi community?

I would say basic acceptance and support without judgment. I think people have a tendency to want people who engage in what they view as stereotypical behavior to modify themselves for broader acceptance of the group, but ultimately that just reinforces the idea that that behavior is somehow wrong and should be corrected to fit some arbitrary definition that ends up being rather non-inclusive.

What could be done to support “untypical” bi folks and folks who don’t fit society’s notion about bisexuality at all and whose identity is therefore questioned (those who don’t date/have sex at all, those who are also ace, those who only have relationships with people of one gender, and so on)?

This is pretty much the group I fit into. I've been a bit on the lookout for groups outside of the internet (in my area) that I could participate in, but it's been a bit challenging. I struggle with how to incorporate my identity into how I present myself to the world, especially since it's so new to me and everyone except the few people who know just assumes I'm straight because I'm married to a man and have a young child. I think continuing to educate people on all of the ways bisexuality can be expressed is hugely important, as well as focusing on creating safe physical spaces for people to meet and support each other without judgment.

What are your thoughts about fighting/disclaiming bi stereotypes?

1. reactivation and recall are not the same thing. Reactivation is a one-off exercise to mine and contact your aged patient database to determine which patients are still active patients of the practice and to appoint them;

2. Recall is a constant, month to month system to ensure that the maximum number of patients regularly reappoint and attend;

3. The key to success in both is to obtain a depth of understanding of your patient database via personal contact, by phone, in a manner which confirms a relationship with each patient, which enables you to better gain their commitment to appointments, or else better understand the real reason for non-appointment, and take appropriate action accordingly;

4. The actual detail for each program cannot simply be described in a slide or two in an overview subject such as this. There is an individual marketing subject being offered which will comprise a mix of general marketing concepts and specific dental marketing topics. This dedicated marketing forum will allow us to cover reactivations and recalls in much more detail, including a provision for students to construct a recall system for their own practice;