In today’s Q&A with a local business navigating the COVID-19 emergency, we hear from Dr. Anna Simonis of New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry. Officials said Wednesday evening that New Canaan has 55 confirmed positive cases and six deaths due to the virus.
Here’s our exchange with Simonis.
New Canaanite: Dentists are classified as ‘essential’ businesses under the governor’s order. In what way is New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry operating at this time?
Dr. Anna Simonis of New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Anna Simonis: As a dentist, we are classified as “essential” only for emergencies. It has been recommended by the Connecticut State Dental Association as well as the American Dental Association and the CDC that we postpone elective procedure for now and only see emergencies. The ADA has outlined to all members what constitutes an emergency. The latest as of last night, the Connecticut State Dental Association has proposed a temporary start date as April 22 for us but that remains to be seen. For now, I have cancelled many, many patients which has taken a hit but trying to stay focused and positive, especially for my staff who I’ve had to furlough for now. They have been amazing. As well, my patients have been amazing.
For those patients you are seeing, what steps have you taken at the practice to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission?
For now, we wait for updated guidelines as to how we will have to equip the office for minimizing any risk to patients, as well as to ourselves. There is a shortage of any protective gear as that is going to the frontline (another reason for postponing electives—we are running out of or have run out of masks. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t get any masks prior to closure as people were ordering like crazy). Right now, I am completely closed and am able to field and triage emergencies via email and phone with patients. The couple of emergencies that needed to be handled, I have been able to send out to be handled. Patients have been great.
How are your clients taking news of postponements/cancellations?
Patients have been understanding. We are at most risk for contracting and spreading as this virus is very contagious and is spread through aerosol droplets so any drilling or cleanings put us at risk so patients understand. For the most part, they wouldn’t have wanted to come in anyway. We were seeing a lot of cancellations prior to any recommendations from CDC/ADA.
You see a lot of local kids and have relationships with their families. What is your sense of how they’re faring?
Being that I haven’t seen patients, I can’t answer that on their behalf. I will say, my son, Niko is loving the e-learning, although he is missing his friends and Saxe. This is his first year there as a 6th grader and he loved it from day 1 so he does miss the school. He does ask questions and we answer as honest as we can and I have relatives in Jersey we are close to that have COVID so he is aware but he tries to be positive.
Should the social distancing and other safety restrictions now in place extend through the summer, as many believe, how would you gauge you business’s ability to stay afloat and navigate the crisis?
If we have to stay closed indefinitely, as far as the business, I will do what I can to get what I need to get us back up and be safely geared when given the ok. I want my girls back–my staff means so much to me. I’m keeping a close eye on the ever changing available funds to keep my business, myself and my staff afloat and I will get my office ready to open again. I’m sure it will take time to get back to normal so I’ll take it day by day.
What is your message to clients?
My message to my clients? I miss the kids—really it’s what it’s all about. When a parent tells us their child couldn’t wait to come to the dentist, it makes us feel like we are doing ok with them. Other than to keep brushing, flossing and eating healthy, I would say to stay positive, stay inside and healthy and we will be back stronger.