New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based-based Dental365 reopened all its offices in June, recalling most of its staff and hiring about 50 new employees, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Dental365 had to lay off more than 400 of its 600 employees across 46 locations in March when offices closed, said Scott Asnis, DDS, CEO of Dental365. All offices reopened in June, recalling most staff members too.
"I was shocked how busy we were," Dr. Asnis told the WSJ. "I told the staff, 'Come on back, see how safe it is' because we have a responsibility to serve our patients."
Some staff were reluctant to return because they were receiving about $1,100 a week in unemployment benefits, according to Dr. Asnis. Employees were told that their spots would no longer be saved if they declined to come back. Dr. Asnis has since hired about 50 new workers, many from practices that permanently closed.
Employment at dental practices has more than doubled since hitting a low point in April, the fastest growth of any sector tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor.