What I Learned This Week

This week has been a blur. I have been trying to remember the actual day I realized that I was going to have to close my practice for at least two weeks, and I honestly can’t remember at what time I thought that was even a possibility. Now, it’s even a possibility we may close for months or indefinitely as governors all over the states are mandating dental offices to close except for emergencies. If someone had told me a month ago I was going to have to close my office, I wouldn’t have believed you.

A couple of months ago when everyone kept saying a recession was coming, I asked my financial advisor what was the plan if we entered a recession? How was I going to pay my practice loans and student loans? I couldn’t have fathomed that anything of this magnitude was coming.

Each day this week was filled with the unknown. Every minute that passed, emails were filling my inbox with information on how COVID-19 was going to affect us. Ultimately, the American Dental Association recommended all dentists close their offices and only see patients with dental emergencies. In orthodontics, much of what we do is considered “elective.” First they recommended we close for three weeks. As of last night, the ADA president was recommending three months.

Niki, Bre, Nichole, Doris, Mary, Jess, Kyra, Ana, Myra, Brook, Emily, Gina…my team, my work family. The group of people I spend most of the hours of my week with. Every day, there were questions and issues to work through with my consultants. The thing that was on my mind all day while seeing patients, when I was trying to sleep at night, and the first thing when I woke up in the morning was my team. What would I do about our team if the office had to close? For anyone who has been in our office, I’m sure you can see and feel that our team has great chemistry. We always help each other and have fun and joke almost the entire day! No matter what is going on, my team will say to me, “whatever you need me to do, just tell me and I’ll do it. I’ve got you,” and I say the exact same thing back to them.

Each morning we have a huddle and I typically end it with some type of positive quote about teamwork, great attitudes, what we need to bring to our patients each and every day, etc. But, this week, the only quotes I had were bible verses. Prayer and finding my favorite bible verses gave me the strength and peace to know that I was doing the right thing for my team.

What is the silver lining? Life is so busy, and I constantly say I wish I could spend more time with my family. Well, here is the moment and my opportunity to do so. I have no control over this situation. All I can do is trust that we will get through this and cherish the time I have to spend with my family.

Philipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.