Dentists: Critical aspects of their own and their community’s disaster preparedness plan

Authors

  • David L. Glotzer, DDS
  • Sharon C. Perelman, DDS, MMI
  • Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2018.0308

Keywords:

bioterrorism, disaster preparedness, disaster response, preparedness curriculum, situational awareness

Abstract

The weather-related disasters in 2017 in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the 2017-2018 wildfire seasons in California and Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018 have challenged all healthcare professionals, to have plans in place to protect their facility, patients, and staff from all possible hazards. These were “slowly developing” events, with enormous media coverage, and yet the results were still horrific. The need to have both a good evacuation plan and a good shelter-in-place plan has previously been dramatically demonstrated. When planning for disasters, it is critical for healthcare providers to understand the nature of a particular event and its possible consequences. When the concern arises about either an individual medical facility, or a whole community’s well-being, a proper response requires significant levels of preparedness, education, and training. Comprehension of the threat and an understanding of the resources available to combat an event can significantly mitigate the possible damage. This article reviews a dental school curriculum to prepare students to respond to such contingencies while describing the goals, and sources for a disaster preparedness syllabus.

Author Biographies

David L. Glotzer, DDS

Clinical Professor, Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, New York

Sharon C. Perelman, DDS, MMI

Assistant Professor, Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Division of Operative Dentistry, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, New York

Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD

Morton Amsterdam Dean, Department of Preventative and Restorative Services, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Published

10/01/2018

How to Cite

Glotzer, DDS, D. L., S. C. Perelman, DDS, MMI, and M. S. Wolff, DDS, PhD. “Dentists: Critical Aspects of Their Own and Their community’s Disaster Preparedness Plan”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, Oct. 2018, pp. 289-96, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2018.0308.

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