09/22/2026
🌟 Sometimes the Most Unexpected Visit Becomes the Beginning of a Lasting Relationship - A dental emergency is rarely how someone plans to meet their dentist.
Usually, it begins with something much less pleasant, a tooth suddenly starts hurting, a crown breaks, swelling appears, or an accident happens. There can be discomfort, worry and sometimes even a little fear about what comes next.
At Moorkamp & Arthur Family Dentistry, these are some of the moments when we’re especially grateful to be dentists.
There is something incredibly rewarding about being able to welcome someone who is hurting or worried, listen to what is happening, help them understand their options, and hopefully send them home feeling much better than when they arrived.
And sometimes something else happens that means a great deal to us. A person who first came through our doors because of an emergency experiences the compassion and empathy of our team and decides they would like to come back for their regular dental care. We never take that decision for granted.
Whether you have been part of our dental family for years or we are meeting you for the very first time because something unexpected happened, our goal is the same: to help you feel heard, cared for and comfortable with the care you receive.
🦷 What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
Some dental concerns can wait for a regularly scheduled appointment, while others need prompt attention. If you aren’t sure which situation you’re facing, we encourage you to contact a medical or dental professional for guidance.
Dental emergencies may include:
• Knocked-out or dislodged teeth
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Facial swelling or dental infection
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Intense, persistent dental pain
• Lost crown or dental filling
• Pain or swelling in your jaw
In cases of severe trauma, heavy bleeding, or signs of a spreading infection, seek immediate medical attention by going to the hospital or calling 911. Your health and safety always come first.
❤️ When Someone Calls Us in Pain, We Want to Help
One of the hardest things about a dental emergency is simply not knowing what to do.
When you call our office with an urgent concern, our team will listen to what is happening, help assess the situation, and work to find the soonest available appointment when appropriate.
We understand that when your mouth hurts, getting answers matters. Tooth pain is also something we encourage patients not to ignore. Even discomfort that comes and goes can indicate an underlying problem. Our focus is not simply on helping you feel better temporarily; we want to understand why you are hurting and determine what can be done to restore your comfort and oral health.
😊 From an Emergency Visit to a Familiar Face
After the immediate problem has been addressed, we love having the opportunity to see our emergency patients again under much happier circumstances.
A return visit for an exam and cleaning gives us the chance to get to know you when you’re not in pain, learn more about your health and goals, and focus on prevention rather than an urgent problem.
When someone who first met us during a difficult day decides to trust us with their ongoing dental care, or with the care of their family, we consider that a wonderful compliment and a responsibility we value deeply.
Our health-centered approach is about building those relationships over time. We want our patients to understand their oral health, feel comfortable asking questions, and have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care.
🦷 Here When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan
We certainly hope you never have a dental emergency. But if you do, please know that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Whether you’ve been seeing us for years or have never stepped through our doors before, we’ll be glad to hear from you and help determine the appropriate next step.
And if that unexpected first visit eventually leads to us welcoming you back as a regular patient, we’ll be genuinely grateful for the opportunity to continue caring for you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephen Moorkamp, DDS
Dr. Charlie Arthur, DDS
Dr. William Moorkamp, DDS
Call us (573) 364-1345
Dr. Stephen Moorkamp: https://www.moorkampdental.com/meet-dr-stephen-moorkamp/
Dr. Charlie Arthur: https://www.moorkampdental.com/meet-dr-charlie-arthur/
Dr. William Moorkamp: https://www.moorkampdental.com/meet-dr-william-moorkamp/
Our Services: https://www.moorkampdental.com/services-overview/
