A number of health care providers and private practitioners in Tarrant County and the surrounding area have taken an “extreme hit," Dr. Angela Bowers said.

“It is extremely slow in our office ... for everyone that is not an emergency room doctor,” she said. “There is a complete shutdown on us being able to see patients unless it is a complete emergency.”

Bowers, the founder of Southlake Dermatology, said that since coronavirus-related restrictions were put in place March 25, she has been forced to furlough 26 of her 33 employees.

“Either you are on the front lines,or you have no income,” Bowers said. “It is a tricky time.”

Regular office visits have also been shifted online, she said. The practice is now using Zoom, FaceTime and other programs to make it easier for doctors to conduct virtual visits. Patients with difficult or private conditions can also utilize a drive-up option for quick checks.


“Whether [with] acne, rosacea or spot checks, we are trying to supplement as much as we can with [virtual] visits,” Bowers said. “Hopefully, in the long run, they will loosen restrictions on those.”

In Tarrant County, essential health care services, including hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, doctors, dentists and veterinary services, are able to remain in operation; however, the stay-at-home order prohibits all elective medical, surgical and dental procedures from taking place.

According to the county order, before being performed, procedures must be assessed for emergency need and patient risk to maintain and support the “redirection of resources to COVID-19 response.”

In response, some practices, such as Oasis Dental in Keller, have shut down operations and rescheduled appointments.


After a two-week closure, Oasis Dental reopened March 30, but it is no longer taking walk-in appointments, according to a statement. The practice is now operating with a limited staff, and all emergency-related appointments must be scheduled by phone.

“We place the health and safety of our employees and patients above all else and look forward to seeing everyone in the near future,” the statement said.

Facing similar setbacks, Alliance Pediatrics of Fort Worth has consolidated its services from two offices to one main office on Beach Street, practice manager Kathy Edwards said.

The practice has had to reduce the number of employees on staff, but patient care is still available during regular office hours, Edwards said. Patients can also access after-hours care and Saturday care by appointment.


With the health and safety of patients and staff in mind, the practice has implemented additional safety precautions, Edwards said. Office halls and bathrooms have been divided for sick and well patients; staff are wearing masks in all patient rooms; sick patients are asked to wait in their vehicle until the time of their appointment; and a triage nurse is screening all sick calls to ensure appropriate communication and action from the patient and staff.

“Our team members help with enhanced cleaning practices of patient rooms between appointments and of waiting rooms during operating hours,” Edwards said.

Like many practices, Alliance Pediatrics is following CDC guidelines as well as those of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Edwards said. CDC recommendations include limiting well-child visits and prioritizing newborn care and the vaccination of young children and infants.

“Our providers are committed to our patient population and continue to encourage continuity of care during this time,” Edwards said.