Return to in-person

In this five-part series, we captured individuals’ experiences in returning to their changed environments.

THE SCHOOL RETURNS

The University of Alberta and Alberta Health exemption processes to allow our students to learn on-campus were extensive, but ultimately worth it. DDS classes returned in July for Intercession, and both DDS and Dental Hygiene started at the end of August.

Any programs applying for exemptions had to prove their safe managing of gathering size limits, physical distancing, and PPE usage. Among other factors, we were required to demonstrate:

• How to provide access to closed buildings for the students.

• How to develop appropriate group sizes.

• How to screen incoming staff and students.

• How to deal with anyone who demonstrated symptoms.

• What PPE/IPC protocols we would follow.

On getting our DDS classes back for the spring and summer semester, Dr. Steven Patterson, Associate Chair (Academic), says, “It was a valuable time for our students. Every day as they met all the expectations of our new protocols,we heard comments like...

‘It’s so good to be back here.’

‘Thanks for all the work in preparing this for us.’

‘I’ve missed being here.’

‘We know this took a lot of work to plan, and it seems to have gone smoothly.’

“It brought back a semblance of normalityin terms of doing what we do —learn hands-on and in-person.”

For the Dental Hygiene class startingthe last week of August, there weremany new factors the faculty had tounderstand and plan for in order tobring the students back. Dr. SharonCompton, Associate Chair (Dental

Hygiene), says, “We were able to learn from Dentistry’s successful return to campus in July, and now we all begin implementing our plan with the larger group of learners, faculty and staff.”

Compton and Patterson are grateful for everyone’s compliance and hard work in returning students back to the clinic and labs. Compton says, “Further delays would have caused hardship for the students needing to spend the extra time to complete their education before starting their careers.”

We look forward to seeing you at the clinic!

Nicole Robins

CLINIC THROUGH INTERSESSION

Our DDS students were back in the clinic and simulation labs for Spring and Summer semester, and they couldn’t be happier to be here for their patients.

Nicole Robins and Reid Boulet, DDS class of 2021, speakof their experience. Nicole says, “Not being able to providefor my patients during the COVID closure was a horrible,helpless feeling. The pandemic has made me realizejust how much I am obsessed with dentistry and keepingmy patients’ chompers chomping.”

Reid says he was a little worried about being back at theclinic because such a large portion of our patient base isover 65. However, after looking through our new infectionprevention protocols, he says, “Ronna and the rest of theteam in charge of PPE at the University of Alberta havealways done a great job of having proper PPE to help protectus, and their work was very reassuring.”

They had several reasons to be glad to be back, including:

• We are all in this career to help the patients, and it was hard for us to not be involved in their care during the pandemic.

• Three months away from the clinic is an intimidating amount of time not working on your hand skills.

• Studying in solidarity can be effective at times, but nothing beats being inspired by intelligent and supportive leaders and peers.

The new “four-handed dentistry” approach for the students is also both good and bad. Reid says, “It’s difficult since we can feel we are missing out on first-hand practice when you’re the co-learner, but you’re still getting the clinical experience and learning from your partner’s practice. We just need to be open-minded and try to help each other to continually learn.”

They both say they’ve heard nothing but gratitude from their patients. Nicole says, “Patients previously skeptical of preventative dentistry are now very appreciative of its role in their overall health.”

Kari Rarick

HARD AT WORK

Our staff has been hard at work adjusting to new realities.

Susan Helwig, Orthodontic Grad Program supervisor, says it was weird working at the clinic without the students. “It was eerily quiet. Everything had changed, from how we entered the building to how we prepared to see patients.” Although they saw patients on a reduced basis per the AHS recommendations, she says, “Our environment is to educate our students and facilitate their learning objectives, so not having them here was odd.”

Meghan Rannells, Dental Hygiene Program administrator, says the work over the summer was different. “Graduation celebrations, most of Orientation Week, and our upcoming celebrations of achievement will be virtual, so the logistics behind preparing for these was new to all of us. Thankfully, we had a bit of practice from March.”

She says, “Everyone here, as always, works in such a united way. The presence of a team environment is particularly prevalent this year, as we work together to configure the best and safest way to deliver the general learning environments students will face during the school year.

Rannells is happy the students have started. She says, “Although things will certainly be different this year, seeing the students back in their classes is always a great feeling. It makes all the work we’ve been chipping away at over the past several months purposeful.”

In the research labs, the regulations and pandemic protocols set back some of the time-sensitive projects’ progress. Dr. Maria Febbraio says, “We couldn’t fully shut down because we had a couple of ongoing studies in which mice were enrolled, so a few students and I came in to continue that work. For me lately, it’s been nice to see more people around, even if only for a quick nod or a short conversation.”

Pranidhi Baddam, MSc student and SRG president, says her projects were slowed as well, but upon returning, she went into a flurry of organization to get all the pressing tasks done on time. “The first thing that I did when I started coming back daily was to write down all the tasks that I had to do so that I could prioritize appropriately.”

Dr. Jonathan Skuba

BACK TO THE OFFICE

Dr. Jonathan Skuba (BSc 1999, DDS 2001), a managing partner of Skuba Dental Associates, says it’s great to be back to work, but it’s been a very strange time.

Skuba wrote about his experience at the beginning of the pandemic, and we were happy to catch up with him.

“There are days that don’t really feel any different than the days before COVID, and there are days that revolve around dealing with frustrating COVID-derived issues.”

He speaks of his team with pride, saying they’re happy to be back to doing what they love to do while experiencing the stresses of keeping everyone safe. “Ultimately, they’ve been calm and professional.”

Skuba says his practice decided to invest in high-quality reusable PPE, despite the “nightmarish” initial costs. He says, “I didn’t want to ever end up facing a shutdown due to running out of essential PPE.”

He says, “I’m an old school germaphobe. I’d rather suffer through discomfort and be as safe as possible. We are all probably developing freakishly strong muscles in strange parts of our bodies, so it’s getting easier.”

Skuba is thankful for his family’s support throughout (some of whom are with him at the office), saying, “They were supportive when I was anxious and afraid, and supportive when it was time to jump back into service.”

Skuba has been involved in leadership in the field since before graduating from university. In March, he put his free time to good use and organized a network of fellow Albertan dentists to work together to ease this transition back. He said, “I was moved by how hard my profession was taking the toll of the pandemic and wanted to put something together that could be strategic, supportive and therapeutic.”

He adds, “I think it’s essential for healthcare providers to be advocates for science and compassion at the same time.”

Dr. Suzanne Depledge

BACK TO THE CHAIR

Since the clinic reopened in July, Dr. Suzanne Depledge, Comprehensive Care Director for team 2, says patients have been as amazing as always.

“They just kind of roll with it. Our patients are compliant — they wear their masks, and they follow the clinic’s directional lines. They have total trust in us to keep them safe. And everyone’s just happy to be back and to see their students!”

Trevor Zahara, a patient in the orthodontic program, says the experience is as good or better than pre-COVID, and that staff and students make him feel safe. He jokes, “I just see less of them now… they are covered up more!”

Marvin Busenius, a patient for over a decade, came in for two urgent care treatments since reopening — an extraction and four fillings. He says the only difference is a more intense focus on procedure.

Nargiza Chorieva became a patient during the pandemic because of a root canal emergency. She went to a private clinic, but she couldn’t afford treatment. She bought tickets home for treatment, but her flights were cancelled. She was recommended to the clinic by a friend and was treated the next day. Chorieva says, “I am so grateful for Melanie and the whole team working there. They not only saved my teeth but helped to do so without putting my family and me into danger by flying home.”

Farida Janmohammed and her husband have been coming to the clinic regularly since 2004. When they immigrated to Canada, they had no dental plan; her husband had dental troubles and was recommended to the clinic. After retirement, they started coming again. She feels the coaching she received over the years about home care will keep her oral health up until she feels safe leaving the house again.

Aakankshya Kharel came in for an urgent orthodontic visit. She says, “If the clinic hadn’t been open, my progress with my braces would likely have been jeopardized as a result of the broken bracket. Besides, the poking wire would have made me uncomfortable all summer!”

Trevor says he enjoys his treatment visits. “The staff and students are personable, and I enjoy overhearing the instruction and training that goes on, especially the ‘chair-side manner’ types of advice given. It feels sort of like a family around here!”