News

For dentists Gundeep Kaur and Michelle Luu, a typical day involves teeth extractions, root canals and fillings.

But these are not typical times.

With the suspension of non-urgent dental services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gundeep and Michelle are part of a group of six dental service employees redeployed into Bendigo Health aged care facilities.

The pair now find themselves reading letters to residents from family members, calling the bingo, playing lawn bowls and providing companionship to residents isolated from loved ones.

Gundeep is particularly fond of reading the residents letters from family members.

“They really appreciate that. Once you read the letter they start telling you about their family. It means so much to them,” she said.

Family members can still connect with residents via video calls, which Gundeep and Michelle assist with, but as Michelle explains, the residents enjoy the in-person interaction.

“They like having someone there with them sitting and listening. It’s always nice to be able to help others who may not be able to regularly connect with their families in these trying times,” Michelle said.

There are other benefits to having dentists on site. Residents’ dentures are now collected, cleaned and decontaminated at the dental laboratory.

“We’ve not been able to offer that service previously as we’ve been so busy,” Michelle said.

The experience has provided Michelle and Gundeep added perspective and an opportunity to subtly reskill.

“I think I’m getting better at communicating. You also gain more perspective because the residents have got so much wisdom, you realise what’s important and what’s not,” Gundeep said.

“I’m learning that I am patient and can adapt to change and embrace a new situation,” Michelle said.

“I’ve also learnt that it’s important to stay positive and be grateful for what I have.”

In total, 23 dental service employees, from oral health therapists to dental assistants are thriving in unfamiliar roles in the discharge lounge, Palliative Care Unit and Infection Prevention Control team, among others.

Across the organisation, a large number of staff have been redeployed into a variety of areas as Bendigo Health looks to minimise the operational impact of COVID-19.