Office Showcase

The Aftermath- A Testimonial (Cornerstone Dentistry, Shawnee)

Since 2006, I have called Cornerstone Dentistry at 1601 Airport Drive, Shawnee, OK, my work home. But on the evening of April 19, 2023, my town and work home were severely affected by a devasting tornado. I watched as the warnings came from the news that a tornado was headed toward Shawnee and that everyone needed to take cover. The Cornerstone team continued to watch the news and see the damage across our beloved town, including the cross streets where our office was located.

On April 20, in the light of the morning sun, the staff arrived to see windows blown out, trees split down the middle, the roof needing serious repair, and vital business equipment destroyed from water and wind. Immediately, the staff and I went to work, notifying patients that the office would be closed until further notice, and trying to figure out how we could quickly get back to serving our beloved patients.

After a full week of the office being completely inoperable, we finally got the green light! Electricity had been restored, and the team was able to start treating a limited number of patients. There was still no phone service or internet, and boards were placed where windows once were, but being able to serve patients who needed immediate attention was our team’s top priority.

During the chaos of cleaning up and figuring out how to quickly get back to seeing a full patient load, I realized that there was no way our team had the time to attend the ODA Annual Meeting the following weekend. I called the ODA to cancel my meeting registration and proceeded to tell the woman on the phone about the tornado damage at our office. She recommended that I email Lynn Means, ODA Executive Director, with the information about our office, along with some photos. Lynn immediately responded, got me in touch with Shelly Frantz, and informed me of a program called the Oklahoma Dental Relief and Disaster Grant Program (RDGP). Honestly, RDGP was not even on my mind at the time! That one call to my dental association changed so many things and gave our team even more hope after that terrible event. Shelly was able to send us some immediate funding to get the work started, and we provided the paperwork to apply for additional funding.

As of today, most of the larger repairs are complete. We needed a new roof, multiple windows, a new fence, computer equipment, etc. We are still completing finishing touches, like window coverings, flower beds, and exterior building cleanup. The quick action of the ODA team and their kindness helped us tremendously to get back on our feet and do what we love the most—dentistry.

I would like to personally say how very thankful I am for the ODA for their support and willingness to help us. They were so thoughtful to suggest that we apply, and then they helped us through the process. The ODA has truly been a blessing to our office!

I have also been astounded by the amount of help and offers of help we have received, not only from friends but also from complete strangers, such as folks just driving by and wanting to help. Oklahomans truly are the best!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Chrissy Henry was born and raised in the Shawnee area and gratuated from Shawnee High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2002 and graduated from the OU College of Dentistry in 2006. When she is not in the office treating patients, she is enjoying time with her husband and two children, along with serving at her church.

Oklahoma Dental Relief and Disaster Grant Program

The Oklahoma Dental Relief and Disaster Grant Program (RDGP) is a charitable trust established to provide aid to dental professionals affected by natural disasters, physical disabilities, chemical dependence, or other hindering conditions. The

Questions or Comments? Contact the ODA at 800.876.8890

Tornado Damage

After Repairs

The Oklahoma Dental Association endorses companies that are researched and proven to meet the needs of ODA members. ODA members are automatically eligible for the savings that each company provides.