Christine Lee is a dental assistant at UB’s dental clinics.
How long have you worked at UB? I began working in the UB dental clinic on February 21, 1985, in the middle of a blizzard. I have been a dental assistant in many of the different clinics in the school.
What do you miss the most about work before the pandemic? The thing I missed the most when the crisis hit was our students. The D4 (senior) students left for spring break and the shutdown happened. We didn’t get to help them through their last couple of months or even say goodbye.
What’s the hardest thing about working during the shutdown? The hardest thing about working during the shutdown was the fear and the uncertainty. The school did its best to keep up with the ever changing guidelines to keep us all safe. When New York was at its peak, it was a concerning time. Being a dental assistant, you were on the front lines and hoping that you wouldn’t bring anything home to your family.
What helps get you through the day at work now? Right now, the bright spot is seeing our rising senior students return to campus. It gives a feeling of normal in a surreal world.
Anything else you want people to know about how it is to be an essential employee working during a pandemic? I would like for everyone to follow the rules. Wear your masks, social distance, wash your hands, for everyone’s sake. It is different and uncomfortable, but it seems to be working. Not to sound cliché, but we all are in this together.