Maternity MATERNITY from 33
Fast forward three years to when I started planning for child number two. This time I would have a well-executed plan. I made a list of all the things that didn’t get done the first time and worked through the list (see page 35). Because of what happened with my first pregnancy, my second pregnancy was automatically labeled high risk. I kept telling myself that despite what had happened last time, this time would be easier. At the 11-week screening appointment, I was diagnosed with vasa previa, a condition in which blood vessels within the placenta or the umbilical cord are trapped between the fetus and the opening to the birth canal. It’s a rare condition and is more dangerous than complete placenta previa. I was monitored closely and my condition required that a home health care nurse come to the office once a week to give me steroid injections to prevent premature labor. My patients were scheduled around the nurse’s schedule so it didn’t interrupt the daily flow. I had already put my PMPP into place. At 32 weeks, my water broke. This time, I was prepared and so was my practice. I delivered my second son, Jordan. As premature as he was, he weighed five pounds and was much further along in his development, especially his lungs. I was told from the beginning, he would only need to stay in the NICU for 14 days. I knew this was my time to heal and get organized. After only 10 days, Jordan was ready to come home and would be discharged at 11 a.m. That morning, I was at work, with my first patient since having the baby, for an emergency patient who broke a veneer. I quickly called the patient to meet me at the office earlier and was 34
Today's FDA
September/October 2014
able to see and treat her successfully, and arrive at the hospital on time for Jordan’s discharge. Total days maternity leave thus far: six business days. I was going to do things differently this time. I took two weeks off from the office and hired a night nurse to do the overnight responsibilities so I could go back to work well-rested. With Jordan, I was able to nurse him when I was home and I pumped when I could not be with him. I went back to work incrementally over a four-week period. My time off only totaled two weeks, but I did take my time coming back to full time. Total days maternity leave: 16 business days. When I was asked to write this article about how to prepare a dental practice for maternity leave, I chuckled because I didn’t take as much time off as originally planned, but thought it was certainly important and necessary for practice owners to have a plan. The importance of a dependable support system from my team, friends and family is paramount. I am so blessed, grateful and appreciative of all of the people in my life, especially my husband Ilan, my sister-in-law Dania, my staff, and those not named who have either helped with the practice or in raising our children so I can achieve my goals while maintaining a healthy balance between my practice, personal and family life. The old adage “It takes a village to raise a child” * could not hold more truth.
Things to plan:
patients to know that you will not be present for their hygiene checks or Invisalign aligner changes, but that you have confidence that the doctor covering for you will assist them with the same level of quality and customer service that they are accustomed to and that their treatment will be uninterrupted. m Order supplies. Determine which items do not need to be ordered and only order necessary items. Get on a schedule for ordering every two to three weeks to avoid excess shipping expenses. Make a list of the necessary and frequently ordered items and look for deals on purchasing larger quantities. Everything else could be ordered less often or until necessary. m Arrange for payroll. Start with a service or bookkeeper before or early on in the pregnancy so this is well-established and any kinks can be ironed out while you are still available. m Plan for the end of pregnancy. Finish up any restorative work minimally two weeks before the scheduled leave time so patients are not in provisionals during your absence. m Determine who will fill in for you. This doctor can oversee hygiene and Invisalign recare visits and be available for tasks needing direct and indirect supervision so the hygiene department can continue while you are out. Clearly discuss whether the doctor will continue the restorative treatment plan while you are out or if patients will be scheduled upon your return. Quote was adapted by Hilary Clinton from an African proverb for her book titled, “It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us,” published in 1996.
m Prepare the patients. Be up front and honest with them. It is important for www.floridadental.org