Long covid is a title given to a group of health problems that persist following a Covid-19 infection. Four years after lockdown was phased out and two years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the pandemic, it is something the general public is only just starting to get to grips with.
It has affected me, and has meant changes to the way I operate as part of Money4dentists, for the better of the clinicians we have worked with for decades.
The result is an exciting partnership with the Ruby Group, who add to the expertise of the independent financial advisers already at Money4dentsits, and give dental professionals the most comprehensive and in-depth financial support to date.
My experience with long covid
I’ve always been someone who lives life at 100mph. Like most dental professionals running their own practices, when it came to my work with Money4dentists, it was necessary to operate with speed and efficiency. With so much ongoing day-to-day, I was helped by a near-enough photographic memory. In my free time, there was no want to sit still either; I used to be a mountain runner, and was super fit.
Then five years ago, in March 2020, I hit a wall. I’d become ill during the covid pandemic, but unlike most people, recovery didn’t take me back to the condition I’d felt before.
It’s not an unheard-of feeling. In March 2023, around 1.9m people in the UK reported symptoms of long covid, representing 2.9 per cent of the population.
It has made everyday tasks like walking up the stairs a difficulty, and I often experience a brain fog that has changed life immensely. Whilst it’s not a medical term, brain fog can encompass a range of symptoms for people. Difficulty concentrating, slower thinking and fuzzy thoughts are all possible. In reality, I’d gone from a photographic memory to, on some days, struggling to do the basics that many of us – myself included – take for granted.
At moments, I’ve struggled to remember the names of my own children.
Long covid would create changes that meant I had to approach life differently, from both a professional and a personal standpoint. To offer the best possible service to the profession, my outlook has therefore had to evolve in some ways.
Money4dentists today
Partnering with the Ruby Group was unquestionably the best way to ensure the continuation of an exceptional service to clinicians.
I’ve known the team at Ruby for quite some time, and they already had an interest in supporting dental professionals. Alongside the exceptional levels of experience that their team provides and can bring to dentists, it was a perfect fit; they run a similar type of business, they are really forward-thinking and dynamic, with shared outcomes and visions for the future of our business approach.
By combining our resources and expertise as service providers, clinicians can continue to receive unique insights into pension and retirement planning, income protection and tax efficiency, investments and much more. Each piece of advice is tailored to dental professionals, as we understand the challenges they face in many aspects of financial life.
The joint experience and knowledge of the Ruby Group and the Money4dentists team also means that clinicians will continue to benefit from consistently high-quality service. When I have bad days, the standards shared by everyone around me will not compromise, and dental professionals will be sure to receive support that always endeavours to go above and beyond.
It’s not been an easy change at times; Money4dentists is something I have forever been passionate about, and to have to change my approach is personally difficult at times. For any professional changing their relationship with their company, some personally emotional moments are expected.
But it is the best thing for me, and more importantly for you, and the rest of the dental profession.
I have to take a back seat, but will be doing what I can, when I can, in assisting our team, and as an organisation we will continue to support the needs of clinicians.
Money4dentists will endeavour to support dental professionals with leading insight, from a team of independent financial advisers that is rich with expertise and drive. Clinicians who want to know more can book a free consultation with our team today – now with added Ruby Group insight.
References available on request.
For more information visit www.money4dentists.com