So here I am, 5.30pm on Sunday evening, one week into lockdown with a large G&T in my hand. After cutting the grass, washing the cars, trying to find the enthusiasm to be doing my daily Joe Wicks workout and deciding which room to decorate next, I thought I would kill a few hours before dinner by putting pen to paper and sharing my thoughts.
Understandably, many of us are extremely worried about what the future holds for our businesses, and so I thought I would try and find at a few positives during this horrendous situation we all find ourselves in.
I know when I go on holiday each year, my Clinic closes and during that time I never earn any money. Ironically, I had a 3 week holiday booked in April – although I’m enjoying my staycation in Ashford (ask me again in a week’s time!), California would still have been my first choice! During those holidays, my bank still expects me to pay my mortgage every month. At least we now have the luxury of a 3 month mortgage holiday which definitely eases some financial burden.
As well as all reading the amazing advice the BACDT has been providing over the last few weeks (for which the BACDT team need to be applauded) I’ve been thinking about what I can do while we are in this enforced lockdown to ensure my business becomes stronger and more profitable when things return to normality.
I thought I would look through all my old patient records with a view to getting in touch with those I hadn’t seen for many years. With all this spare time on my hands I also decided to dig out all those back copies of the CDT quarterly and get as much CPD done as I could.
As key workers we do have the ability to continue to work if we want/are able to, however some CDTs have understandably closed completely whilst others are still offering emergency repairs (with the correct PPE in place, of course!) In these instances the risk is minimal, and you could be offering a vital service to those patients who could well struggle with a broken denture for many weeks. These patients will surely remember what you’ve done for them in the future when they will need a new denture.
Some CDTs have given their clinics a really deep clean, and I’ve also found the time very useful to do some much needed filling and paperwork, which for me often gets put off when you’re just too busy.
This could also be a great time to step back and spend some time looking about expanding your profile amongst all the Dentists and nursing homes in the local area – when things return to normal, people are still going to need new dentures, and I’m sure when that happens we will be busier than ever! Remember, the majority of our patients will not be financially affected by not working or a drop in salary so they will still have money to spend. All it means for us is getting through a quiet few months.
Before the Coronavirus, I often asked myself why some CDTs think it is a good idea to be a member of the BACDT and some don’t. As the smallest DCP group within Dentistry, it’s vitally important that the BACDT represents the true views of all CDTs. Out of approximately 40 CDTs in Ireland, nearly 30 (70%) belong to their CDT association; sadly in the UK that percentage is so much lower. With the offer of free membership to the BACDT surely there are no excuses now for non-members not to join.
Let’s hope that during this difficult time our amazing profession pulls together, and those non-members have time to think and realise the importance and positives of belonging to their professional CDT association.