SO, WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?

On April 30, 2009 I submitted a column to The Town Common entitled, “The Swine Flu and You”. Here is the first paragraph from that column:

Who knows where this pandemic will be today as you read this. At the time of writing I had just heard the first confirmed case in Massachusetts.

I don’t know about you, but apparently the Swine Flu wasn’t that big a deal, because I don’t really remember it. THIS ONE you are going to remember.

At the time of this writing on Tuesday March 16, 2020, my dental practice is scheduled to be closed for non-urgent patient care from yesterday until at least April 6^th. As I said 10+ years ago – who knows where this pandemic will be next week.

Information is coming at us from all different directions. I am not an expert on pandemics, nor do I plan on playing one on TV. Listen to your federal, state, and local officials. Trust in the system in a situation like this. Follow the rules and we will be fine.

Even though you are reading this over a week after it was written (unless you somehow see it digitally before), my psychic powers are telling me that this latest national/world situation is going to have far-reaching effects on many. At the time of this writing, I have been in constant contact with many of my colleagues, about how we plan to “weather the storm”, both as small business owners and employers. There are difficult decisions ahead. Personally, I am embracing it.

One of the ways I am embracing this time is to catch up on some of that back-logged reading I’ve been trying to get to. Patients will often ask me what I read in my “spare time”. I usually tell them that my reading list may not be particularly interesting to them. However, it amazes me sometimes how many connections I make with people regarding reading interests. My dental assistant talks about reading with patients all the time, and although I never seem to know anything they are talking about, they often make a connection through the discussion of their reading interests.

This will be a great time to make some deeper connections with people through mutual interests. Conversations with people via phone, or better yet something like Skype, Facetime or Messenger, where you see and hear the person, are so much richer than typing it with your fingers.

I am also embracing this “time-off” to re-charge and re-focus on what is most important in my life. I think I’ll freshen-up that gratitude journal I’ve been meaning to update as well.

Ok, back to dental news. All general dental offices should be closed for non-emergent care as of now and until at least April 6^th, unless that information has changed by the time this is read.  If you have a dental problem, I would urge you to either call your dental office or visit their website. Your general dentist should have instructions on how to contact them should you need to.

At the present time, specialists have been working to treat true dental emergencies. True dental emergencies include things like toothaches, infections, etc. If you have a true dental emergency, you should contact your general dentist first. PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. It is important to not strain the healthcare system with things that should be dealt with by a dentist.

If you do not have a general dentist, I am looking into the logistics of offering my services of consultation via secure email or telemedicine. I will be updating my blog on a regular basis with this and other information to hopefully help you with any dental issues during this time.

https://www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog/

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.