By Katherine Garcia, M.A., L.A.C., M.A.C.
From the Winter 2021 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
The COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our daily lives continues to rapidly evolve. Stress, anxiety and depression have increased as a result of the pandemic, while a unique stress has been placed on dental professionals. The shutdown of dental practices early in the pandemic, and the dramatic shift in practice procedures upon reopening, shook the lives of dentists and practices around the country. Though the impact of COVID continues, resiliency and self-care have allowed dental professionals to continue to provide essential and routine oral healthcare to patients.
Below are some personal experiences of dentists throughout the COVID pandemic:
“The COVID shutdown of 2020 is something I hope to never remotely repeat, but I feel fortunate that my trials through substance abuse recovery provided the key teachings to my success. As a relatively new first-time practice owner, continually struggling to pay the bills and trying to run a business, the shutdown felt like a doomsday scenario to me. Not only did dental school fail me in practice management, but they failed me again in pandemic survival; I try not to hold that last part against them.
In my immediate life prior to recovery, the answer to this problem would have been to find a way to make myself numb to the fear and pain; drugs facilitated a means to this end. Unfortunately, not dealing with my problems turned out to be a great way to only make those problems worse. This conundrum reinforced the desire to rinse and repeat with substance use and the pursuit of narcotic emotional anesthesia.
Many feared for those of us in recovery: Would the COVID shutdown (and its many subsequent challenges) be a catalyst for some level or type of breakdown or relapse? Fortunately, I knew how to ask for help, as well as help myself. Through recovery, I had established a laundry list of coping mechanisms that lent emotional fortitude and spiritual engagement. This meant that I was able to accept “life on life’s terms” and relinquish desire for control over anything but my own attitude and actions. I maintained my sanity through ritual and habit—the value of such ingrained in me during rehab. I woke at the same time each day, I made my bed, I got dressed, I went to the office to make myself available for emergencies, I checked messages, and I worked on side projects. I treated myself by going home early and enriching my soul by spending quality time with my wife and dogs. We went on long-winded daily walks, prepared food together and cooked on the grill almost daily. I tackled my financial uncertainties by acquiring grants and loans and requesting reprieve from bills. This accountability and action would have been far too overwhelming to accept and engage in prior to recovery. I confronted my anxiety, rallied around peers online and leaned on my support system to include my therapist, practice mentors, and Peer Assistance Services.
In short, I knew how to not only rely on and trust myself, but how to ask for help as I needed it from those around me. I tightened my relationships and my sense of self-worth instead of allowing the scenario to erode those things. The state of my mental health helped me flourish, while I know there were others who floundered or even perished. Finding and maintaining a supportive community that you can be vulnerable with through this time of social distancing and layers of PPE could not be more crucial to anyone right now.
I’m sure the things I’ve discussed and listed above could seem like a no-brainer to many who are otherwise “normal” and healthy. Please know that these lessons were a struggle for me and are a struggle for many to acquire—even those seemingly intellectual or accomplished. Be kind, compassionate and empathetic. Someone within your reach may need help but may not know how to ask for it.”
~A Colorado Dentist
“At the core, I believe fear of the unknown has had the greatest impact on dentistry regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
My fears: personal health, health of my family, financial obligations, professional responsibilities, PPE supply difficulties, employee demands.
My team’s fears: continued employment and income, personal safety, employment laws, staffing, scheduling patients, working in hot challenging PPE.
Patient fears: personal safety, scheduling demands and cancellations, financial constraints.
These fears have led people to behave in mysterious ways. I have seen more people cry, yell, and ask for therapy referrals than ever before in my practice.
All of these pressures have only added to the stress I carry as a dentist on a regular basis. It all became too much for me back in June, and I had to reach out for help. The gentleman at Colorado Concerned Dentists walked me through some available resources. The people at Peer Assistance Services have been invaluable in rehabilitating my weary soul. With time to reflect, I realize this experience has provided me with a wonderful reset opportunity. My priorities are different in both my professional and personal life. I purposely choose to live more simply now. I focus on the things I can control, in small increments of time. I have learned to restrict the media’s influence on my emotions. I make time for exercise and meditation to manage my anxiety. I meet with a therapist every week. I spend quality time with my family. I seek understanding of other’s needs, fears and joys. With these practices, I know our current pandemic-related fears will resolve and I will still be whole when that time comes.”
~A Colorado Dentist
Peer Assistance Services, Inc. provides the statewide Dental Peer Health Assistance Program through a contract with the Colorado Dental Board. If you have concerns about yourself or a colleague and would like more information or support, contact us at 303-369-0039 or 720-291-3209 or peerassistanceservices.org.
Katherine Garcia, M.A., L.A.C., M.A.C., is a clinical manager at Peer Assistance Services, Inc. Please contact her at kgarcia@peerassistanceservices.org.