Happy One Year Anniversary to Us!

Happy one year anniversary to us! It has been one year since we reopened after the first lockdown in our newly renovated space here at Niverville Heritage Dental Centre and boy, what a year it has been! Through the many ups and downs, we have come together as a team more than ever. We thought it would be a great way to celebrate by reflecting on the past year and letting you all in on what we think about the experiences, challenges and triumphs this year has presented, enjoy!

Lindsay

The past year has been a very unusual time for us all, especially since returning to work following the lock-down last Spring. We returned to a new office space, a bigger team and rigorous new protocols leading to a whirlwind of a time. Although it was tough to get there, the expansion of the office could not have come at a better time. It has been a joy meeting all the new faces from coworkers to patients and there is so much satisfaction to be had in helping and growing this community!

Bonny

 This last year has gone so quickly despite all the challenges.  I'm not one that likes a whole lot of change but this year has definitely challenged me between the lockdown, the ever-changing Covid regulations and trying to help my son with remote learning.  It's been wonderful being in our new space.  There's so much room and it's always wonderful to hear how much the patients love coming here too!  So grateful to everyone who made this last year enjoyable!

Rachele

Oh, what a crazy year this has been!! We have all had some challenges with the pandemic that we have been living through the past 18 months.  There has been a lot of learning curves but also good things that came out of this last year too.  The first few months were challenging as we weren’t sure when we would reopen, how we would book our patients and ensure they were safe to enter our doors. Now looking back, it’s hard to believe we were ever at that stage. Everything has run so smoothly! We have all our protocols in place to keep our patients safe, as well as us girls here in the office.

Being in the newly renovated office has been nothing but amazing!! Have we had to change some of our protocols to adhere to government regulations, yes, but this hasn’t stopped us one bit!  We have not only had a beautiful brand-new space to work in, but we have seen so many new and familiar faces come through our office.

I personally have a hard time remembering our old “front” desk space, staring at a wall unable to see who is walking through the door. Now we have this lovely bright, open space!  Our operatories are beautiful, bright and no long have boring terracotta walls!  Being able to make this new space our own has been amazing and will only get better!!! Thank you to all our wonderful patients, see you soon!

Ainsley

I know for a fact if we had foreseen having to shut down for 4 months due to a global pandemic our office renovation and expansion would have been postponed.   I am so very glad that we didn't know that and that the go ahead was given and ground was broken!  Over the past year I have seen a terrifying situation turn into an amazing opportunity for perseverance, hope and accomplishment!  I have seen our team grow both personally and professionally, including myself, and I have also had the pleasure of working more closely and personally with our patients.  I feel so blessed that we were able to provide our community with a beautiful space to accompany the already outstanding dental treatment they receive and I look forward to many more years to come!

Amanda

This past year has definitely been a year of change and growth. We’ve welcomed so many new patients to our office as well as more staff! We’ve had to learn how all the new equipment works, even the buttons to move the chairs! Yes, some of our patients got to go for an extra ride because we pressed the wrong button! 😂 We’ve had to learn new protocols due to Covid. I agree with you all, can’t wait to get rid of the prerinse!!  

I absolutely love the look of our new office! Sharing in the excitement with our patients when they see our new space for the first time brings so much joy!  The one thing I miss the most is seeing everyone’s smile. Coming in with a mask and then mouths wide open with a dental dam over it just isn’t the same. But we know you’re smiling under there, right?! Haha. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Kaitlin 

I can’t believe it has been a year already! This year has definitely been a roller coaster for everyone. Our family has gotten a lot closer and it has been nice enjoying the little things that in previous years we would have taken for granted. I loved that I was able to put lots of my time towards my two little kids who kept me very busy with all our activities (food coloring was our best friend), no time to learn the art of sourdough hahaha. I am enjoying the refreshing new look of the office and all the updated equipment we get to use for our patient care. I love how welcoming our place is with a beautiful entrance! I look forward to what is to come!

Sunayna

Covid has taught me many lessons – adaptability, patience, perseverance, when to ask for help, trusting in the process when you may not know the outcome and more kindness than ever. I certainly did not picture taking on a full renovation during a lockdown! Although not ideal, I knew everything happens for a reason and learnt quickly to trust myself and the unknowns.

It’s a pretty surreal feeling watching your dream turn into a reality. Designing and decorating the space that I envisioned was so much fun! I wanted a space that would reflect who we were as team, a space that both our team and patients deserved, and most importantly, I wanted it to feel like home.

Above all, ensuring the safety of my team and patients was my number one priority.  Although stressful, I am so glad we took the extra time to remain closed in order to ensure all our protocols were in place in order to provide dental care to our patients in the safest way possible.  It’s funny how we as humans may not like change yet adapt so easily.  Wearing our double masks, face shields and gowns have now become second nature!

This past year seems like the shortest and longest year of my life! I feel like I blinked and it’s already been one year in this new space.  Truly, where did the time go? You know that super cheesy saying, “Time flies when you are having fun?” That’s honestly how I feel. I wake up every single day grateful for my team and my patients. I truly love what I do, where I do it and whom I do it with and can’t wait to do it for many more years to come!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers to all of us!

What we did & learnt during COVID-19

AMANDA

During the pandemic I found that even though we couldn't go anywhere, we were able to say "Yes" to those questions of, "Mom can we.....?" because we had more time and more energy. We really enjoyed the slower, unscheduled pace of life.  We read a lot, baked, puzzled, did projects around the home and yard, watched movies, played ball with our dog, swam in our pool, had late nights and slept in. We discovered a lot with home schooling and got a better insight as to how our kids learn and the challenges they face.

We all have a part during the pandemic and need to take care of each other as we all rely on each other somehow.  We need to take care of our earth. Slow down, enjoy the time.

What I am most looking forward to coming back to work at Niverville Heritage Dental Centre is seeing everyone's smiles again! Can’t wait!

 RACHELE

March 2020 was definitely a month I will never forget. My experience all began when we got notification that an overnight at the museum school trip was canceled for my daughter who was in grade 4. How traumatic for them, they were looking forward to this day for months!!  From there the spiraling happened; the following week we had to start canceling patients, with a lot of unknowns for the future.  That followed by myself, along with the rest of the girls in the office being laid off… again without knowing when we would be able to return!! One month turned into 2, then 3, and now we are working on the 4th month!!

During these last few months, I had my 2 daughters, grade 4 & 7 at home, learning from online as their teachers would send homework and videos to help continue their education.  I can tell you a few things I learnt about this.  I may need to go back to grade school for math!! LOL… but seriously, they have changed the ways of problem solving!! Even though I may know the answer, it’s the explaining of “How to” that I had difficulties with! So, with that said, we are very thankful for our wonderful teachers!!

Along with spending everyday with my girls while my husband continued to work, we got a lot accomplished around the house! Spring cleaning was in full gear!  The weather was also amazing, so we got a lot done around the yard. This included planting all of our flowers, vegetables, getting our pool ready and my oldest and I even built a new garden!

Myself, and family included have learnt that as much as we love our family time, time apart is just as important. We have learnt to be extra thankful for our health and the time we get to spend with our extended friends and family.  One of the other things I learnt is online shopping is WAY too easy!!! For those “regular” errands, such as grocery shopping, I appreciate curb side pick-up that much more now too! Oh… and snacking; let’s just say my clothes will be more forgiving getting back to work & routine! LOL

Returning back to work was yet again another change to our readjusted schedule, but routine plays a pretty big role. I am thankful to be back in the office, talking to our patients and getting them rescheduled from the months we have fallen behind. Not only that, we are welcoming you all back to a brand new office that you can’t wait for you to see!!!

 NIKKI

During this time off during Covid I have made sure that I take care of myself and my family. I worked out almost everyday for my physical and mental health.  I tried new recipes, organized and cleaned my house (as I’m sure lots of you did!) and just tried to relax as much as possible.

I have learned during Covid that you don’t know how everyone feels. Some may be stressed, scared, leery of even speaking to people on a street, and that’s ok. They are free to feel the way they want to. We need to be kind to each other and not judge others.

Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing OUR PATIENTS AGAIN!!! Having good conversations and laughing with people while they sit in our chair is what I have missed....and of course my fantastic co-workers!!  See everyone soon!

SUNAYNA

2020 was supposed to be our year, but 2020 also had other plans.  If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I would be forced to shut down for fourth months, lay off my amazing team all in the middle of a long-awaited renovation and expansion I would’ve told you that you were crazy.  The beginning of COVID at home was definitely an adjustment.  We were so used to being a busy, always on the go family of 4 and all of a sudden there we were, all of us in our house with nowhere to go.

Making three meals and two snacks a day while entertaining two young kids was A LOT.  But here’s what I realized one day while talking to my husband.  When ever in our entire lives would we have the opportunity to take consecutive months off of work?! Never! So in that moment I decided to relax, ease off, and truly try to enjoy the moments I have been given with my kids and family.

As much as I love my family, gosh did I miss work! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I absolutely adore what I do, who I do it with, and my patients.  I feel so lucky.  No matter what financial stresses may have come out of this the sole fact remains my dream of creating a space that feels like home where people can come and provide exceptional dentistry all while being kind is coming true, and for that I am so grateful.

During this time I’ve seen more empathy, love, and kindness around me.  I hope we all continue to make a concerted effort to keep that going.  In the end, I realized 2020 is still our year.  We grew, we learnt, we evolved. I cannot wait to see all of you again and welcome you in our dream space, it’s been a LONG time coming! Most of all, I can’t wait to laugh with you all again.  See you soon!

KAITLIN

It felt like I had just come back from maternity leave and then we had to shut down. I love my job but like lots of people coming back from mat leave, I had a small interest to stay home with the kids and COVID let me live that life for a little bit. I enjoyed my time with them doing science experiments, lots of baking and playing outside. We got a small trampoline and played lots on there. We went for walks often and I did workouts with my kids. On days I didn’t feel like working out or going for my walk my daughter would say that I had to, haha! It was part of our routine. I should add my husband worked from home through this time and that was also very nice that he could be around and move his schedule if needed to be with the whole family.

Through this time I learnt to slow down and be more present with my kids. I soaked up the time I had with them. I learnt to be more patient and to pick my battles, giving into things that don’t really matter in the long run. I am a home body and enjoyed these past few months with my family but I am looking forward to getting back to work!

 LINDSAY

During the Covid-19 pandemic I enjoyed sleeping in the mornings, learning to cook new foods, cleaning and organizing my home, and spending time working on self- improvement.

With this time away from work and socializing, I learned the benefit of slowing down a little bit and taking the time to enjoy nature and my own company. Now that we are back at Niverville Heritage Dental, I look forward to maintaining a healthy balance in my schedule and improving my free-time management skills!

A letter to you.

I truly love what I do. Yes, I really do laugh like this ALL the time at work.

I struggled a lot about whether to write this or not. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m sweating as we speak (how’s that for a lovely image for you). Here’s why I decided to try to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I think, or at least hope, the reason you come to our office is not only the quality of work we do, but more importantly, because of how we make you feel.  What you see is what you get.  We are REAL. Real women who love what they do and are having a blast while doing it. This is why this crazy situation we are all in has been so difficult - mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. 

I am one of those lucky few who truly loves what they do. Loves teeth? What a weirdo. Yup, this weirdo loves teeth.  But what I also love and feed off of is the human connection. I love chatting (I think all of you can agree with that one), laughing extremely loudly (shocker), and just being with my patients. Not being able to come to work is devastating. Not being able to help my patients by offering them to come in so I can take them out of pain leaves me feeling completely helpless.  Basically not being able to do what I love feels like a piece of me is missing.

The best team a girl could ever wish for.

Then there’s the girls. In the dental field, there tends to a pretty regular turnover of team members.  Not mine.  I hit the absolute dental jackpot when it comes to my team of gals (knocking on wood as we speak).  Having to lay them off for the time being, knowing the stress that puts on them, and not being able to see them has literally kept me up at night.  I feed off of them and when that’s missing, things just don’t seem whole.

Now a bit more about what’s going with me. Holy smokes how do stay at home moms do it?! Being at home with both kids all day, homeschooling, meals, snacks, trying to get some work done, I can’t even! (Shout out to my super sweet patient who waited as my kids barged into my room and began singing at the top of their lungs while I was on the phone with her trying to figure out what happened to her tooth). Anyone feel like they are more exhausted now than before this whole thing happened?! I literally thought I would have time to do the things I never had time for before like organizing the closets, cleaning out the basement, reading that book I never started.  Nope! How is it that I am forced not to work and be at home but still don’t have time?! 

My family. Love these humans, but boy being with them 24 hours a day really does test your love!

Now to the part that is seen as a definite faux pas that no one really talks about - the financial stress.  Let’s be real, no one is going to feel sorry for a dentist.  Am I extremely lucky to be well compensated to do something that I love? Absoutely, without a shadow of a doubt.  Are there well established dentists out there who have been practicing and owned their practice for decades, with savings who this situation will be easier for? Yup.  Am I one of those dentists? Nope. I wish, I would love a new bag, hahahahaha. Just kidding.  Sort of.

The hard truth is I’m still a young practicing dentist who is a new business owner.  I have dental school debt, a business loan for buying into this practice that I love with all my soul, and then to top it all off, a renovation that is still continuing on with no revenue coming in for the foreseeable future. I have zero income that my family relies on and due to the nature of my work when we do go back, we are one of the highest risk as we work in the mouth.  

Now, please know this is not meant to be a “Feel sorry for Sunayna and let’s throw her a pity party” post, but if you want to, I’m happy to join the party you throw for me virtually! I like Beyonce FYI.  But seriously here’s what I know after a lot of soul searching:

Miss you all everyday. I can’t wait to see your smiles again soon.

EVERYONE is struggling, not just me.  EVERYONE is hurting.  EVERYONE is trying their best to navigate this.

GRATITUDE.  Despite what I may be going through right now, I know others have it worse.  I have gratitude for the time my family has together - bedtimes that I miss sometimes due to work, meals together, and all the playing.  I have gratitude for the shelter I have, food we eat, and the ability and option to stay home while others risk their lives for us.

JOY. I refuse to let this bring me down.  From the moment I walked into Niverville Heritage Dental Centre I just knew I was meant to be here.  I work so dang hard.  The girls work so hard.  So we are going to continue with the renovation. I will not let it be a source of stress when it was always meant to be a source of excitement, pride, and pure joy.  Whenever we open, I promise you it will be a space that the girls and I deserve to work in and a space that you deserve to be treated in.  In the end, I choose JOY.

If you read this far, gosh, I owe you a complimentary exam when we open.  Just joking, I’m broke remember? Hahaha.  But seriously thank you.  Know that I dream every night of coming back and seeing all of you again.  I honestly can’t wait.  Stay safe.  Miss you.

Much love,

Sunayna