Never before has dentistry in the UK had to pause as it has done in the last few months. Whilst much has been focused on the negative of this, rightly so, people are now starting to talk about how we look forward and if we can draw out any positives.
As I was reflecting on this, it occurred to me that for some of us, there has been no pause. I have had to consider long and hard whether or not to write the next couple of paragraphs. I have become well aware over the last few months that every word I say or write is analysed and can be misinterpreted, and the sentiment can be misunderstood. However, I feel I need to take that risk and hope it is read with the spirit in which it is written.
When you are in general dental practice, it can be easy to forget all the people who support that. I know from my own days in practice how true this is. Most dentists in this country work in general dental practice and it can therefore be easy to forget anybody who works outside of that.
One thing I learnt very quickly almost exactly 10 years ago when I started a day a week for Denplan, were how many people make sure that general dental practice can run as it does. I am not talking about just where I work, I am talking about many organisations, groups, companies that support in many different ways.
For many of us working outside of practices in these last months we have worked as hard, and for many of us harder, than we have ever worked. The pace of change, the speed we have needed to keep abreast of what is happening, the emotion we have had to absorb from the profession, has been relentless. We have kept going to make sure that when general dental practice could open up again, dentists, staff and patients were safe.
These individuals and teams will continue to support you in the new world, and I didn’t feel I could not acknowledge the work that has been done by so many people. Many have not paused and will not be able to for some time in order to continue the level of support required, they deserve your consideration as you return.
So what about the pause? We have clearly seen in some jurisdictions of the UK that this has given opportunity for the direction of NHS dentistry to be altered sooner than would otherwise have occurred. Will this occur elsewhere? We shall see.
On a more individual level, many practitioners I have spoken to have admitted that having time with their families, being able to sort out clutter, build sheds, take their minds away from their practices has been truly beneficial. Many have used the time to consider their long-term plans, both personally and professionally. Rarely in the pace of general practice do you have this opportunity. It can be difficult to consider what you want out of something when you are right in the middle of it. This situation has created that space.
I am not in any way dismissing the huge amount of stress and anxiety this has caused to the profession. Yet, this will also mean, when reflected on, that people will use this pause to reconsider how they work and live going forwards. I am already hearing how people are considering their finances and what payment systems can give them some protection if a similar situation occurs again.
On that note, the pause has also shown the loyalty of so many patients. Practices work so hard to build and create loyalty in their patients and from much I have heard, this has really worked. People have been patient and understood the predicament practices have been in. I have heard only positives of the patient interactions that have occurred, despite the immense frustration of not being able to help them as you would wish. This is a huge testament to the profession and also to the patients, and this pause must make sure we recognise that and remember their loyalty as we go forwards.
As life slowly shifts into the new normal, don’t forget what you have learnt in the pause. Use what you have learnt to move forwards and change things for the better, things will always be different, the next few months will be tough, there is no question of that, however, please don’t waste the pause.