Sometimes I get little surprises and I get wary.  Needless to say, this week was different.  I got plenty of surprises and they were all great.  This young patient gave me permission to show her picture and name but I decided to keep both private for now.  I just wanted to share her thoughtfulness in her own handwriting, because nowadays, most kids communicate through email or text.  It definitely warmed my heart.  I have great patients.
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After two plus months of Shelter-in-Place, we are finally back at work in full force.  I miss all my patients.  I miss the daily routine of using my mind for more than just cooking and cleaning.  The intellectual challenge is stressful at times but sooo welcome now.  I actually only stopped working for about 2 weeks.  The first month of SiP was extremely busy.  We had to get all the cases done and crowns cemented in rapid time within restricted days and hours.  As president of NCAGD (general dentists group), I had to sort out the daily changing policies and orders of the state, counties and CDC.  There were so much confusion and panic.  I met regularly with dental CPA's, attorneys, dental leaders, and dental board members to get our information straight.  Obviously, there were also a lot of assumptions and power struggles that had to be reconciled.  I know, disappointing.

Now, we are back and many changes we have made.  You will see sneeze guards, more medical grade air purifiers to clean the air at a faster rate, UVC lights to sanitize our PPEs and rooms, pulse oximeters and questionnaires to assess risk of COVID-19.  Everyone is required to have face covering upon entering the office.  With all the N95 and surgical masks along with the face shields,  our faces have dents, our oxygen levels went down while our body temperature went up.  How can they say this is keeping us healthy?  We all know what can happen when someone say," I can't breathe..."
I think it's a hoot to see patients in face masks.  I used to think Vietnamese people were funny for always wearing a face mask driving their mopeds around the city.  Now I think you're crazy if you don't wear one outside your home.  It has become my norm.
I am really glad to be back.   I miss the interactions with other humans.  I look forward to seeing everyone, welcoming news of matrimonies, babies, graduations, new homes, etc.  You are my dental family.  Welcome back.  

We were getting ready to go in for surgery.  Bob was bopping her head behind me.  That's the look of happiness, people.