N95 or KN95 (Part 8)

A message from Dr. Ziv Simon

March 25, 2020

Hi there,

Glad to hear that some of you are starting to get out of the initial shock. It's been a little over a week since we closed down but it feels much longer, doesn't it?

This is how we humans roll. We adapt.

We adapt to less resources and less luxury. We change based on the circumstances. If we don't we'll get extinct (in the big picture).

It also teaches valuable lessons. Maybe we can get by with a little less and allocate funds and time in different directions? 

Each and every one of us is feeling a sense of loss. Loss of income, freedom, certainty, stability, security and predictability. Our regular work routine and rhythm are gone.  So we're all creating new ones.

After 1 week it's still weird but you started to adapt. The is the move from defense to offense I talked about yesterday.

The first step we are taking: Prepare the return.

You can't practice without proper supplies. Medical supplies are scarce right now, especially PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

Be on the phone with your suppliers and get what you can. No need to hoard but keep ordering. Not all will come immediately and lots is back-ordered. Your suppliers are limited in what they can offer but keep ordering.

Get offensive by ordering supplies.

Cash flow is in the negative. I understand the challenge. See what you can do about it (line of credit, later payments and speak to your suppliers).

Don't forget that almost all dental supplies can be returned for a full refund (minus a slight re-stocking fee- negotiate that, it's a state of national emergency).

Here's a possible tragedy: 

You are back in your office. Patients are ready to be treated...

...and you don't have PPE in the new AC era (After Corona).

That would be tragic. A lost opportunity and set back.

Start thinking about your return now.

The number one dilemma is getting those N95 masks that are so scarce (I found one for $110 on Amazon, ONE).

Start your research and please help me and the community in answering this question:

What is the difference between N95 and KN95?

Check this link from 3M. Does that make sense to you?

We will find out together but in the meanwhile be very careful buying from suspicious sites. If the mask is really cheap $1-$3 - red flag.

A N95 (and maybe the supposedly equivalent KN95) should be ~$5 (per one mask).

It doesn't last forever an the pore size that is currently not letting the COVID-19 in may change with use.

I'll be reviewing this tomorrow in our broadcast.

It's time for "Dentists VS. Corona #2".

I'm dedicating to exploring the best practices in treating patients during corona times. 

The teaching segment will be about esthetic crown lengthening surgery. I hope to see you at the live event tomorrow at 10:00 (Pacific).

We must start equipping our practices. Cash flow sucks. Find a way to start getting the right PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). 

I'll be discussing this tomorrow and also how I started changing protocols in my practice.

Patient check-in, consents, forms, signs, attire etc.

I'll be real practical and I want you take notes. We need to start imagining how dentistry will look like and start preparing our comeback...

Let's prepare

Stay strong!

Ziv

PS:

See you tomorrow at "Dentists vs corona #2: Best practices to treat patients during the outbreak".

Teaching segment: Esthetic crown lengthening the secret weapon of the cosmetic dentists.

See you tomorrow. Here's the link.