Safeguard Your Practice: Prepare Your Dental Office for an Active Shooter Incident
We live in a country where mass shootings seem to be in the headlines almost daily. Most recently, in a dental office in California, where gun laws are more strict than most states.
I live in Colorado, where, unfortunately, we have had a (un)fair share of mass shootings. You may remember a few, even if you do not live in my home state: Columbine High School, Aurora Theater, King Soopers, and Club Q. Sadly, these are only a few larger cases.
In this unpredictable world, no workplace is immune to the threat of an active shooter incident, not even your dental office. While this scenario might be rare, dental practitioners must be prepared to handle them effectively.
Understanding the gravity of the situation and having a well-thought-out plan can make a significant difference in minimizing harm and ensuring the safety of staff and patients.
Most active shooter events are over within 10 minutes, which is commonly over before the proper authorities arrive on the scene. Every second counts, and you need to know how to take action.
Let’s discuss the first five steps an office manager should take before being confronted with an active shooter situation in your practice.
1) Establish an Emergency Action Plan
The first step in preparing for an active shooter is creating an emergency action plan (EAP). This plan should outline specific procedures to follow in the event of an active shooter, including protocols for notifying authorities, evacuating the premises, and sheltering in place.
Ensure that all team members are familiar with the EAP and conduct regular drills to practice response times and improve response handling. Designate one team member responsible for coordinating emergency responses and communicating with authorities, much like you would in a CPR emergency protocol.
2) Train the Team on Recognizing the Warning Signs
Educate team members on how to recognize potential warning signs of violence or aggression in patients. Encourage them to trust their instincts and report any concerning behavior to management or appropriate authorities if the threat feels urgent.
Training should include techniques for de-escalating situations and managing confrontations peacefully. Roll-playing will help team members who are faced with disgruntled patients or visitors.
By promoting a culture of awareness through role-playing, dental offices can better identify and handle potential threats before they escalate.
3) Implement Security Measures
Take proactive steps to establish the security of your dental office. This may include installing security cameras and panic buttons. Consider contacting a professional security professional for tips and tricks.
Establish procedures for verifying the identity of people entering the office, such as a photo ID or appointment confirmation with a reception team member, should you be in a stand-alone building.
If you are in a high-rise and have front desk security, provide the security team with a copy of your daily schedule for proper identification before they dismiss them to your suite. They may even want to contact your office to make you aware the patient has arrived. This will allow you to confirm if they are on the schedule, have billing questions, need to make an appointment, or identify why they need to enter your suite.
4) Develop Communication Protocols
Effective communication is essential during an active shooter situation. Ensure a coordinated response to keep your team and patients informed and safe. Establish clear communication protocols to broadcast real-time emergency alerts and instructions to team members.
Regularly review and update communication protocols to reflect technology changes or add a new team member. Once again, role-play how you may communicate with one another.
5) Provide Ongoing Training
Continuous training and support are essential for maintaining readiness and confidence in responding to any scenario. Regular training sessions should refresh this topic and knowledge of emergency procedures, and opportunities should be provided for role-playing exercises or simulations to practice response techniques.
Start Preparing Today
I genuinely hope no one ever experiences an active shooter in their practice, but if you do, ensure access to counseling and support services for team members who may experience emotional distress or trauma following the incident. By prioritizing the well-being of employees and fostering a culture of preparedness, dental offices can better navigate situations and safeguard their workplace.
Following these five steps, office managers can enhance the safety and security of their dental practice and empower all team members to respond effectively in the face of danger. While the prospect of an active shooter incident is unsettling, taking action to prepare for an active shooter event can make a lifesaving difference.
About the Author
Lisa Lash, MAADOM
Lisa Lash is a Practice Manager with Associates in Family Dentistry. She has been with the office for a little over 19 years and in dentistry for a total of 26 years.
In 2018, Lisa became a Fellow of the American Association of Dental Office Managers. In 2023, she received her MAADOM. Lisa likes traveling each year to the AADOM Conventions to see her “tribe” of wonderful members she has met.
She is in love with dentistry and every avenue it has to offer.
