There was a time during the COVID 19 emergency when nearly all dentistry had to stop. That is the setting for these two poems.

A dentist’s view

It’s nothing that I've done: it isn't fair.
I wonder why it's happening to me.
It seems that there is something in the air,
If so, it must be something I can't see.
I have a steady hand, a searching mind
I'm ready and I'm capable and fit,
And recognized, and yet I'm left behind – 
It quite upsets me when I think of it.
If your tooth hurts; I can relieve your pain.
If you've a tooth that's stained; I'll make it white.
A broken tooth; I can make whole again.
A jaw that's misaligned; I'll fix your bite.
How is it, when I know these things are true,
I'm sitting here and waiting – feeling blue.
 

A Clients view

The Covid nineteen virus, I am told
Has worse effects on older people who,
Like me, should hunker down, and not be bold,
But I have work for dental teams to do.
My ancient teeth they’ll excavate and fill,
Then crown – for me a common rear-guard action.
Tooth maintenance requires a dentist’s skill,
Quite promptly or I’ll need a tooth extraction.
The dentist’s chair I cannot occupy
In case some water droplets, I suppose,
Might give a Covid virus passing by
A means to make a beach head up my nose.
So, should I miss a timely tooth repair
Because I fear a virus in the air?