Teddy bears a reminder for patients to keep apart
For many, making a trip to the dentist may be a nightmare.
But a dental clinic here has managed to turn its patients’ fear into joy when it placed teddy bears at its premises.
The six teddy bears, initially placed to ensure social distancing, were donned with face masks and face shields as they “welcomed” patients at the clinic’s waiting area.
Dentist Datuk Dr Marina David, 64, said she decided to put the teddy bears on chairs at the clinic to make sure that her patients do not sit too close to each other.
“I went shopping at a mall nearby and saw the teddy bears on sale.
“We did some markings on the seats to remind our patients to observe social distancing but sometimes when they get too excited, they sit closely to each other.
“Our patients sometimes bring along their family members when they come for their treatment, which makes the clinic too crowded,” she said when met at her clinic in Bayan Baru.
Dr Marina said they realised that not only children, but adults were enjoying themselves at the clinic since they put up the bears two weeks ago.
“Some of them even took pictures with the teddy bears and posted them on their social media.
“Initially, my purpose was to make sure that social distancing is maintained but I’m glad that the bears brought joy to my patients at the clinic,” she said.
Dr Marina added that her nurses sanitise the bears from time to time to make sure that they are clean.
“The bears act as role models for children and as a kind reminder for our patients to put on their face masks.
“We encourage our patients to make an appointment before they come and we emphasise cleanliness a lot. We are extra careful and always disinfect the clinic and our equipment.
“We were closed when the movement control order (MCO) was implemented in March and we reopened on April 1. On the first few days, we only had a handful of patients but since the recovery MCO began, the number of patients increased.
“Our patients often forget to take off their masks when I check their teeth. Ninety percent of them still put on their masks when they come in for their check-ups,” she joked.