Getting comfortable again

The scare of the pandemic and new regulations on social activity have changed the public’s confidence and priorities. Look at the following level of comfort in doing things in Canada (at early May 20202). Only about 1 in 5 are comfortable in going to the gym, getting on the bus, and taking a flight.

Let’s think of how the level of comfort in purchasing oral healthcare has been affected. If the public is largely uncomfortable sitting on the bus or in a bar, what might they think about sitting in the patient waiting room? What might they think when the hygienist is gowned like an ICU nurse to do a cleaning?

Oral healthcare has been largely a hands-on, invasive set of procedures that can be physically and psychologically uncomfortable. Oral healthcare begins with a close-up procedure of looking and probing in the mouth. This nature of oral healthcare challenges the new preferences in the community for digital and distant connections with healthcare providers who can diagnose remotely and conveniently. Attitudes and comfort levels have changed in the community. How is oral healthcare going to respond?