In Case of a Storm the Safest Place to Be Is…The Dentist Office?

It is a bright day in Joplin when ominous dark clouds suddenly blot out the sun. The winds pick up and shifts direction while lighting streaks across the sky. Then, just as you begin to fear the worst, the sirens go off and your heart skips a beat. At times like these the safest place to be is…the dentist office? If you go to Associates of Dental Arts it is. We have an emergency plan, first aid kits, emergency lights if we lose power, water tanks if we lose water and (most importantly) our surgery suites double as a tornado shelter. As a dentist office in Joplin, we understand the risks and fears that weather in the Midwest entails and have taken steps to protect our staff and patients.

September is National Preparedness Month.  The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recommends everyone “make a plan, prepare a kit, and listen for information.” The weather in Joplin can change at any moment and a sunny day can turn into severe weather threat with little notice. Add to this the occasional ice storm and possible blizzards, and you have four seasons where disaster preparedness is critically important.

At Associates of Dental Arts, we work hard to provide “no fear dentistry.” We do this by creating a relaxing atmosphere in our dentist office, educating patients so they are comfortable with their dental treatment plans, partnering with our patients to promote their health and wellbeing, providing the highest possible level of dental care for our patients, and (if necessary) providing a range of sedation options. As a dentist office in Joplin, we understand that the weather can change quickly and so we also make sure that we have a plan to protect our patients and staff in case of emergency.

When you come to Associates of Dental Arts, you know you are going to be taken care of. As long as you are with us you should be able to relax and not worry about anything, this includes your safety. At Associates of Dental Arts, we make sure to monitor the weather so we can anticipate any potential problems. If we lose power, we have emergency lights that will keep the office well-lit. We also have a water filtration system, a backup water supply, and first aid kits. And, if worst comes to worse, our dental surgery rooms are also a tornado shelter.  

Now is a great time to talk to your family about your disaster plan. It is also a good time to make sure you have the supplies you need if you have an extended period of time without power or water. However, know that you can relax when you come to Associates of Dental Arts because we are prepared.

For more information on disaster preparedness, check out the SEMA website.