What about Dentistry?

16 February 2021
I hope you are OK, especially if you practice in Auckland. Another lockdown is all we needed!

Personally I had been slowly easing back into my clinical work in the last few weeks whilst enjoying time with the family in Rotorua and out on the Waitamata.

This week I had finally got into the groove with multiple big cases on. An all on X case from out of town, a couple of simple veneer cases, single implant cases and other various bits and pieces. Where do I put them now? My schedule is already heavily booked for weeks ahead. Sure I can maybe forgo my admin day this Friday IF we are at Level 2 in Auckland or work a Saturday? Then what about the the financial impact?

We hear about the tourism and hospitality sectors all the time in the media - but what about dentistry and other buisness that can't operate from home? Allied health services, beauty and hairdressing providers etc. We don't seem to get much of a mention. Dentistry is seen as a highly profitable industry and sure we have had a great run since the initial lockdown. Most of us can handle a 3-day lockdown, a week will be a bit harder. Longer than that and things start to look grim for some.

December is always busy but cut short by summer holidays. January is slow for most with staff on leave for school holidays, etc. Now Auckland practices lose 3 trading days in February that only had 20 trading days to start with - that's a 15% loss! So it's been a lean 3 months really. 

Read this recent article about Parliament rushing through Covid-19 business support laws this afternoon.

So let's hope this is a short and sharp lockdown and the vaccine and other prevention programmes strengthen our defenses against this challenging virus. 

Stay safe, reach out to your colleagues,  especially those in smaller Auckland practices and as always if you are looking for a change - get in touch, I definitely have time to chat once I have finished the lego.

Tony