In China’s Jinning County, 218 villagers gave blood samples back in October 2015. Caves housing bats that are known carry SARS related coronaviruses are surrounded by the villages. SARS-related coronavirus antibodies were discovered in around 3 percent of these blood samples. No clinical symptoms had been shown by the villagers, and none of them had come into contact with these bats. Transmission of the coronavirus from bats to humans was first recorded at this point.

Fast Forward To Today

No one saw Covid-19 coming. A naturally rare and unpredictable event with serious effects, it is a black swan – as economists may call it. At present, in the first half of 2020, a global recession is being experienced across the world, including the US; usually caused by pandemics. Before this outbreak the economy was already standing on shaky ground, and anything out of the ordinary would have rocked it to its core. Nothing is normal about Covid-19. Every aspect of the global economy will be impacted by the virus. The Down Jones fell 30 percent from last month’s all-time high and was shut down by the pandemic. This unexpected global event is shutting down almost all sectors.

I will try to explore the impact of Covid-19 on other sectors, with relation to the behaviour of consumers and business before zooming in on the dental industry, just to draw comparisons.

Dentistry Today, And Into The Future

Professionals in the dental industry are not prepared for the challenge they now face. Today’s situation, characterised by an extended interruption period, was not predicted by any dental management or school training program.

Managing Patients

To inform patients about everyday dentistry office closures dentists and hygienists in Fleet practices are taking advantage of all possible avenues, including social media, mailers, business websites and voice messages among others. Even after the lifting of the current restriction measures, screening protocols for patients, like the one developed by the AAE (American Association of Endodontists) should remain in place.

Managing Members Of Staff

Staff salaries are one of the most regrettable effects of keeping practices closed. As far as finances go, many staff members have little space to manoeuvre. Over the next few weeks, everyone will be closely following, the steps that the federal government will take, as the current uncertainty will leave owners exposed financially and unemployment insurance will only meet the requirements of staffers in part.

Recruitment Of Hygienists And Associates

When it comes to recruitment trends during this pandemic, dental graduates are in a confused state. Two main goals, corporate office expansion and replacement of outgoing staffers, are served by the vacancies in dental practices. Chances are that owners of dental practices will wait to gauge the response of patients, for starters. Urgent recruitment, to make up for lost time, will be necessary if they see a quick response on the patient front.

Corporate jobs may be more problematic. The approach adopted by the financiers of corporations and practice owners, when it comes to dealing with the pandemic and into the future, will influence their corporate recruitment strategy. While some may postpone their expansion plans, others may continue as planned. Dental hygienists may see more opportunities as time goes, after overcoming a tougher immediate future. This effect will only last a few months, in the current recruitment cycle, I believe.

Companies Operating In The Dental Supplies Sector

Big Chinese suppliers have been producing surgical, cleaning, wound care and diagnostic products as well as face masks, gloves, goggles, gowns and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). A decrease in the dependence on Chinese products is imminent. North American manufacturers will be buoyed by this progress.

Summary

It is unlikely that this virus is going away any time soon. Expect a lot of things to change, from enhanced demand for pneumococcal vaccines, reduced smoking and decreased travel, to more films on disease outbreaks, increase in online ordering of food and general sales, social distancing and increased interest in online classes, among others.