From the Desk of Linda Trotter, DMD - Crystal Ball

The COVID-19 Crisis has dramatically changed our world and, most decidedly, the profession of dentistry. We have seen opportunities born from the development of new technology and adaptive business strategies. From a clinical office perspective, we have seen innovations to serve patients safely and efficiently.

Each employee has shared in this evolution and responded to the challenge. It has involved enormous change. You have intuitively mastered the balance between home environment, family schedules, meeting times and colleague discussions. You have graciously and kindly offered up suggestions for improvements. You have cared not only for your immediate family members but also coworkers in multiple ways. Each of you is to be congratulated, and I commend you for meeting the challenges of these unprecedented times.

So. Where do we go from here? What’s in store for 2021?? Who holds the crystal ball??? It would be nice to see ahead to the end of 2021. Years ago, I asked my mother if she wished she had a crystal ball to see the future. She always seemed to be in control, always knew the right answer and always knew how to respond to any event. I marveled at her seemingly effortless command of life. Her reply surprised me. “Oh, no,” she said. “If I had a crystal ball, I might look in there and see things I don’t want to see!” She explained that she had enough worries, stresses and concerns for that day and that tomorrow would take care of itself. She wisely advised that there was no reason to stress about future events that we can’t control.

That’s the philosophy I’ve adopted and share with patients (who I see on an almost daily basis) suffering from explicable facial pain that results from clenching or a broken cusp on a molar from bruxing. I advise them to consciously choose how to create their lives—to see life from a fresh perspective, with optimism, and not to worry or stress over “happenings.” I encourage them to be kinder and gentler to themselves and their teeth and to seek individual innovations in lifestyle that will aid their health and the health of those in their inner circle of life. I encourage each of you to do the same. Peer into the crystal ball and view yourself at the end of 2021: Healthy, happy and whole.