The next COVID-19 diary is with TJ Kadiyo, a third year dental student studying at Barts & The London...

"2020." Remember that. It is without a shadow of doubt that it will become the answer to several questions in forthcoming pub quizzes. In what has been an unusual whirlwind of a year, it is remarkable that we have only just crossed the halfway point. 

I'm TJ, and I'm a third year dental student studying at Barts & The London. Whilst assignments, online lectures and tutorials have still continued during the last few months, it is safe to say that my lingering mind has been sprawled around several different areas. Different people have reacted in different ways amidst the global pandemic; a dichotomy exists between using this free time to be super-productive, or taking this time to relax and "smell the roses" as a previous writer eluded.  To be quite honest, I have been ricocheting between both these states - however, I've learnt a lot about myself in the process. 

Those that have ever encountered a significant crisis within their lives have experienced the unearthing of determination, courage and uncertainty that hides and hibernates within all of our bodies. COVID-19 has removed the blanket of comfort and regularity, and stripped any sense of structural routine you most likely had. It's almost like a strong gust of wind sweeping across your body, while you're only holding a flimsy towel to protect yourself. Now you're standing there, stark naked. Do you choose to: embrace it? Take control and grab a blanket? Or stand and wait for a towel to fabricate itself from the heavens? Diffused light has little use, but when passed through a magnifying glass it becomes concentrated and possesses the ability to set fire to paper Your mim is that magnifying glass. You choose the direction. Am I saying go and listen to 10,000 webinars on dentures? No. Am I saying start an online business right now? Absolutely not. I hate toxic productivity and I believe it's unsustainable and useless. But value your time, because that's something money can't buy. In a year's time, what are you going to look back at and wish you started today? Seize the moment. Should I be trying to wake up at 7am? What benefit does that actually have to me? Or is waking up at 2pm fine? Does that align with my long term goals? Is the future me going to reflect and be happy that I chose to wake up early that day, or frustrated that I didn't take the opportunity to relax. The brakes of life are on, and you have time to think...

Please don't take this as my interpretation to "everyone should overthink themselves to death". But, if you're someone that just does things because that's what everyone else seems to doing (aka DFT or DCT?, expensive courses, driving tests, applying to jobs?), I challenge to ask yourself why you choose to do it. Maybe even write it down. 

Life would be boring without reflection. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? This is the question I have used to reiterate any decision I make. I'm a huge advocate of testing the status quo, and I vow to myself to never make a decision without asking myself the question, and knowing exactly, why?

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Another COVID-19 diary now with Rachel Botrugno, a foundation dentist based in Bristol

It has been months now since I've picked up a dental drill. My feeling towards this is similar to when I finished on clinic in final year with months to wait before starting clinical dentistry in my foundation year. I didn't foresee this feeling returning during my FD year...

During this time, some things continue as they would have done... like sitting my SJT (completed in a test centre as my internet connection can't be trusted). Good luck to everyone awaiting to hear their fate regarding DCT posts. 

I've been going into my practice to assist with telephone triaging our patients. This is difficult to compare to the volumes of experience we were gaining at the start of the year, but I feel this has helped me in some areas of my dentistry. I feel my ability to take a succinct history from a patient has greatly improved, as well as effectively communicating to patients that antibiotics are not indicated for their pulpitis. Another skill is familiarisation of interactions and contraindications of analgesics and antibiotics, particularly ibuprofen. On those busy Monday mornings my time management and communication with the rest of the team also grew.

A fellow FD and I also created a dental prevention video. This was aimed at benefiting adults and children around Bristol associated with a local social enterprise known 'Jumpsuit', some of whom we worked with during our community project. This was great fun to produce and involved videos on how to use a manual vs. electric toothbrush as well as how to use disclosing tablets, all done from the comfort of our own homes.

Fortunately, our TPD has been very proactive in booking speakers and maintaining regular communication with our scheme via our 'Zoom study days', the highlight of these is catching up with the rest of the scheme, often sharing our baking successes.

During lock down, I have spent more time doing yoga. I have been using an app called 'Yoga l Down Dog', which has a free trial period available. I'd recommend for any keen yogis out there but also for anyone who wants to start, I highly recommend it!

Like many, I have been reflecting on how fortunate I am compared to others, in terms of my good health and my continued income. I have tried to consider how I could help other members of the community, now and into the future. I've helped in small ways by providing leftover samples of toothpaste from our FD community project to a local community hub. I have also signed up to 'Reenage' which is a charity that gets volunteers in touch for phone calls with lonely and isolated older people in the community. I have really enjoyed speaking to the patients over the phone in practice and for some it has really come across how they enjoy a chat as well as receiving management for the dental problem.

Good luck to any of the FDs returning to practice over the next few weeks. Stay safe!