I once did a favor for a family friend and it wound up hurting him almost as much as it wound up hurting me.

My childhood dentist in the Bronx, (I will call him Dr. B) was not a gentle sort. My blessed mother caused less pain when she pulled my deciduous (baby) teeth than Dr. B did, even after an injection.

Dr. B. had a very successful dental practice. It was crude by modern standards and included no implants, no root canal, no porcelain veneers or ceramic bonded to metal crowns. It was basically "fill 'em or pull 'em." Not many second opinions were needed. "Fill 'em or pull 'em" was the rule.

The Bronx clientele of that era were not very sophisticated and knowledgeable in dental matters. Most were immigrants or children of immigrants from the small villages of Eastern Europe.

I liked Dr. B. and I was very friendly with his children who lived in our apartment house. He was loved and respected by his patients.

When Dr. B. moved his practice to Pelham Parkway from the East Bronx, he was definitely moving up. His patients traveled to his new office and he continued to run a successful and thriving practice.

Then tragedy struck!

Dr. B. suffered a cerebral stroke. His right arm hung useless and his curled fingers had no dexterity. He dragged one leg and his mobility was compromised.

His wife, who was also his nurse and office manager, called me. I was a third year NYU dental student at that time. She offered the practice to me. Of course I could not accept. I was only a junior and if I waited two years there would be no practice.

I told Dr. B.'s wife that I would inquire if any NYU Dental seniors were interested in an office on Pelham Highway. I received an immediate reply. Dr. S. was interested and I made the connection.

The agreement was that - Dr. S. would run and eventually buy Dr. B.'s practice.

Dr. S was highly motivated and was just finishing an externship at a leading hospital known for its modern dental techniques.

I was proud that I had helped Dr. B and also helped his family.

Wrong!

In my senior year, I received a call from Dr. B.'s wife. She was frantic. "Dr. S. is driving away all of our patients. He is presenting strange, modern treatment plans that are confusing our clientele. His fees are enormous and he doesn't care about doing our kind of dentistry. He is ruining our relationship with people we have dealt with for decades. Please help us!"

I was floored.

I had done a favor by getting a dentist and that dentist was ruining the practice. I was helpless and I told her I could not be of assistance. I later learned that Dr. S. moved across the street and took all Dr. B.'s patients with him.

My intentions were noble but the end result proved to be unsatisfactory.

Lesson - you have to be lucky and careful when you decide to do a favor.