I need good credit. What should I do about old collections if i want good credit fast?

I have not had any open credit since 1999 when I paid off an auto loan thru a local bank. My credit report(s) show 4 collection accounts that all originate from a single visit to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist in a nearby city.
That office visit did not cost much (~$200.00) and was paid within 30 days.

My credit reports however show 4 collection accounts that are attributed to this facility. One for 62.00, another for 414.00, one for 68.00, and a fourth charge of 140.00. I have no idea what these charges are for, and to date I have -never- been billed or contacted by the doctors office, nor the collection agency who now has the accounts. Two weeks ago I tried contacting the orginal facility to find out about these charges, but a phone recording says they went out of bussiness in July of this year. The recording also listed a number to call for any billing questions. The next day I called that number during normal bussiness hours and reached a voice mailbox where I left my name and contact phone number along with a message that I was investigating these charges. It's been almost 2 weeks now and I have heard nothing from them.

According to the Transunion report these charges are scheduled to drop off in May of 2008, but I need to start reestablishing credit now. As I said above, I've been back at work for over 3 years now, and I'm finally in a financial position to where I can feel comfortable with taking on some debt. These medical collection accounts are the -only- thing listed on all 3 credit reports, so I doubt I have a credit score at all.

Would it be best to just get a few credit cards and let these collection accounts drop off next May, or should I go ahead and dispute them now in an effort to get them removed? Also, are those high fee credit cards listed on your site the only way to establish credit in todays world?
----------------------------------
for amounts that small and old, I might leave them alone, i might dispute them, I might pay them. I like the pay them thing and then its over with. But I would make sure a date of last activity was not changed.

These are the best cards for people that need new credit
Use the total visa. it reports to all three bureaus. will take one year to get the accounts rated.

for amounts that small I might leave them alone.
i might dispute them.
I might pay them.

it is a toss up.
i certainly would not want them to be redated though.
so if i did pay them i would make sure no new date was put on my credit.

matter of a fact.
just leave them alone unless you get turned down for a card