All decisions require due diligence, risk assessment and duty of care. This has led me to a decision to cease the Clinical Practice of Dentistry. I will continue however in a consultative and advisory capacity. The opening up and development of my Mentoring Program, PositivePractice.ie, will be my project now and for the foreseeable future.

The decision was influenced by the fact that both myself and my wife Ruth are in the Very Vulnerable High-Risk group, as defined by NPHET.

The interesting thing about this decision is that it had been my intention to return to work, as I did. At the same time, I was helping, advising and guiding others in respect of the current situation. Distracted. It was Ruth, who drew my attention to Duty of Care. The need to be aware of everybody in your immediate Family and Team, particularly when a critical decision is being made. This was a classic example of trying to follow the rules, then missing out one or two stages in the process. Poor concentration on my part.

Am I just lucky because I trusted someone else? Answering that question honestly, is yes. But then I was able to draw on experiences from the past, where I failed to make correct decisions, and also from those working close with me for many years.

Thank you, Team. Recognised the mistake then corrected it, and I now can say goodbye to the Practice of Dentistry, to open the door to PositivePractice.ie and Mentoring. Thank you, those of you who have advised, helped and supported me over the last 56 years and my apologies to those I may have hurt, offended, or disagreed with.

Angus P Roche PositivePractice.ie

INSPIRED BY LIFE IN DENTISTRY JULY 2020

HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE