Here we go again in Victoria

Yep, it sucks to be back in lock down again here in Victoria but clearly there is no other option right now.

So what does that mean for Victorian practices' in the lock down zones?

On Monday I was calling patients to book in for their regular hygiene appointment & had a great response. Patients' were happy to book.

At the Melb CBD practice that I was working in, the 3 hygienists were booked for a month ahead each.

Incredible.

Just 24 hours later it was a very different story when making the same hygiene calls. I could hear the terror & very real fear in patients' voices.

Almost every phone call was a cancellation & the window of opportunity to keep phoning patients has now closed for the next 6 weeks.

So, what do we do now?

Stay open or close?

Today, I believe it is worth persevering & staying open for as many patients as want to come in.

This is an opportunity to keep connected with our patients.

My suggested action is to utilize staff to send emails & or texts to your entire patient pool.

The message should be low key, to simply keep the connection.

Keep them informed of what changes you have made to keep them safe if they come into the practice, plus ways that they can keep up their oral hygiene while in lock down.

This effort will reward you once we can all re open fully again & stay open.

Please stay safe & look for the opportunities rather than the negatives.