Week in Review: Employment policies and COVID-19 | Advice from your colleagues

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

It's Father's Day weekend, and I'd like to take a moment to tip my cap (virtually, of course) to all of the dads out there. I'll be celebrating on Sunday with my wife and daughter, hopefully soaking in some Colorado high-altitude sunshine and fresh air.

I'm thankful for the role my dad and grandfathers played in my life and how they helped mold me into the person I am today. One of the best pieces of advice one of my grandpas ever shared with me was the following: Always listen to those who have been there before you, so you can learn from their successes and failures.

I think that advice holds true this week when it comes to some of our editorial offerings. If you're a dentist who is still trying to solve the puzzle of the post-COVID-19 practice, two of your colleagues have some advice to share with you.

Dr. Kristine Aadland of Vancouver, WA, shared some of the steps she has taken to facilitate the successful restart of her practice. In a wide-ranging interview, she discussed everything from enhanced infection control to practice efficiency through the use of technology and materials.

Down the coast in San Francisco, Dr. Nammy Patel spoke with us about the struggles and successes she has seen over the past few weeks. Between COVID-19 and being in the heart of protests, it has been an interesting time for Dr. Patel and her business. She also discussed the relationship between holistic dentistry and technology.

Of course, COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines, and it's still causing problems within the dental industry. For example, a dental practice in South Carolina recently had to close after several of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

The story behind that closure was one of our biggest articles of the week, and it drew a lot of discussion on social media about the role of the employer and what employees can do after hours in a world where a pandemic is still in play. We asked a dental human resources expert, Tim Twigg, some of your questions, and he provided some thought-provoking answers.

Finally, in the wake of the COVID-19 disruption, Dr. Paul Caselle discussed the benefits of making sure your practice's employment policies are up to date, as well as why you should be working with financial consultants to ensure you are using the Paycheck Protection Program loan properly.

Thank you, as always, for reading DrBicuspid.com. Here's to a wonderful and restful weekend ahead!