RESTARTING PRACTICE – POST CORONA

What a strange phenomenon !

Nobody even in their wildest dreams ever expected that the whole world would go into a lockdown because of a sub microscopic life form.

Anyway Corona is here to stay and this I have saying right from day one. It is not going to go away . We need to learn to live with it and practice with it. The viral load in the atmosphere is only going to increase once the lockdown is phased out.

Now in this blog I will mention some of my stray thoughts regarding the issue. My aim is to concentrate on what has been mentioned but not emphasized by many eminent speakers.

So now let us start:

1) To begin with let us understand that most of the recommended infection control protocols had to be practiced anyway. The corona crisis has only bought them to the fore.

2) The challenge is not infection control protocols per se. The challenge is to follow OT protocols in an OPD set up. Dental practice is basically an OPD practice.

Many eminent speakers have outlined the infection control protocols in various forums. Learn about them and implement them step by step.

3) To begin with no government authority, regulatory body or any professional association had asked dentists to close their practices . You can practice with proper precautions. Best to avoid aerosol procedures for some time. You can start aerosol procedures after you have all the equipment to control possible infection spread by aerosols.

4) Do not do panic buying. Prices will soon stabilize. Prevail upon the association office bearers to arrange for PPE kits and other infection control equipment from standard companies at reasonable rates. Form a group and procure materials and equipment.

5) Buy only what you understand completely and thoroughly and can be implemented in your practice. Do not buy anything just by reading about them on FB and WA groups. Buy only those things for which there is rock solid evidence about its effectiveness.

Make a written plan and procure equipment step by step.

6) Buy from standard companies. PLEASE UNDERSTAND It is better to practice without a PPE kit rather than to practice with a faulty PPE kit.

7) Most of the protocols that need to be implemented , have to be implemented by auxiliary staff. Train them thoroughly. You have to train them in a military style. Drill down the infection control protocols deep into their minds repeatedly.

8) You can start practice as soon as all the infection control protocols are in place , you and your staff are trained . You will get confidence only when you start practice.

9) Those dentists who are afflicted by some other disease , medical problems or lifestyle diseases like diabetes etc should not start their practice unless they take a medical opinion from a senior and well informed physician. World wide it has been found that many of the fatalities that had been caused by corona virus had a pre existing medical problem . Physicians are still trying to find out whether the fatalities were because of corona or with corona.

10) MOST IMPORTANT : Take care of your health and your immunity. Ultimately that is the only thing that will matter. No protocol is hundred percent foolproof. Even with the best of precautions and in the best of facilities the virus may still enter your lungs. It is your immune system that will fight it. Keep it healthy.

11) As would be obvious you will have to increase your professional charges. Please do not hesitate to do so. Patients will understand and co-operate.

12) Please take professional help from practice management mentors so that your practice comes back on track fast.

With all the above in place your practice will be profitable and remunerative once again.

Finally please realize that world has not come to an end. It is only closed for renovation and the grand opening is very soon.

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