CALGARY – There’s a silver lining to Alberta’s economic downturn – and it’s at the end of buzzing drills in busy dental offices.
As layoffs continue and employee benefits run out, many are scrambling to make up for dentist visits they may have been putting off.
“We got a lot of calls, ‘oh man, I’ve know about fillings, please squeeze me in,’” Dr. Jeff Seckinger of High Street Dental said. “A lot of patients have benefits that expire.”
High Street dentists have been working overtime and the company has also made some new hires, just to accommodate the growth.
They’re expanding the business and renovating to add more space.
Electrician Andy Kendrick was laid off months ago.
That sudden end to pay checks and benefits has caused many Albertans a lot of anxiety.
“As soon as you get fired, everything ends. There’s no two weeks extra. You get fired – your whole show ends that day,” Kendrick said.
While the dentist chair can be a nervous place on its own, the bill – most don’t have to worry about – suddenly became cause for concern for Kendrick.
“I think I gotta pay this money out of my teeth.”
Others, like Stefanie Karlsch, are desperately trying to get the work done before their benefits run out.
Benefit extensions are discretionary; they aren’t required by employers.
While High Street Dental knows that the influx may not be long-term, they’re committed to their expansion. They remain confident that their laid-off clients will be back once they get a new job and new benefits.
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