By Missouri Dental Association estimates almost half of this city’s dental community has been affected by the deadliest U.S. tornado in 60 years. This is very shocking for the dental community and the entire surrounding area and city of Joplin according to MDA Executive Director Vicki Wilbers.
The tornado has caused great devastation and destruction throughout the city and has not left the dental treatment rooms untouched. As many as nine known dentists have gone on to receive the most heavy damage or even complete destruction of their dental offices. There were members who were unfortunate enough to lose their dental clinics as well as homes.
There have been 23 dentists who have received heavy damage or complete destruction of their location. From our records there are approximately 57 dentists in Joplin in 40 locations.
Dr. Charles McGinty, one of the Joplin dentists whose building was blasted by the storm, said he does have the essentials that are needed to be able to continue treatment if they were to open in a new location. This is going to happen in a week’s time with the help of dental colleagues who will share their undamaged facility.
But even some of the offices not damaged are not open because of power or water loss or both.Dr. McGinty said he had to refer two patients to Springfield, some 70 miles distant, for endodontic therapy that couldn’t be put off.
The dental community is standing by ready to assist. There has been a helpline that has been set up called “Help for Joplin Dentists from MDA/ADA” There has been great support received from all over the state. There have been offering of monetary help. Temporary shelters, for homes and office spaces, and also mobile dental units have been set up by the community to help people in need of dental care. This will bring about the best of provision of dental care to the community even in these difficult times.