Page 14 - Dentistry Magazine 2021

14 DENTISTRY 2021
Together
How the School of Dentistry braved the COVID-19 pandemic
At the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, 2020 began like any other year—just like it did for so many schools and workplaces. Things changed quickly, as the COVID-19 virus began to take hold in the United States; by March 6, COVID-19 had reached Minnesota, and by March 11, in-person instruction was suspended. Though members of the School thought they would see each other again soon, it would be months—for some, over a year—before they worked together again.
he coronavirus pandemic took an incredible toll on the school, our community and the world. Through the heartbreak, loss, grief, suffering and pain, our students, faculty and staff came together from wherever they were to make a difference and continue changing the future of oral health care.
Continuing patient care
As the University required all who could to work from home in 2020, faculty and staff went their various ways, hoping to be back together again. Those who could began work- ing remotely, setting up their home offices and navigating how to teach, work and collaborate from afar. Those who keep our clinics running continued to come into work each day, donned with personal protec- tive equipment. No matter which path they fell into, they did what
they could to prioritize the safety of their community, even when it was hard. Though they did not know it at the time, the two groups would not be together again until the fall of 2021.
March 6, 2020
March 11, 2020
March 13, 2020
First COVID-19 case in President Gabel extends Spring Minnesota confirmed Break and announces a suspension
of in-person instruction
MN Department of Health announces community-level strategies to slow the spread; Governor Tim Walz declares peacetime emergency
Feature
PAUL JARDINE, PhD