Grow Muscatine News Release Features Arctic Dental

News Release

Grow Muscatine is a not-for-profit organization focused on enabling Muscatine’s prosperous growth and publicizing the good things happening in our community. Find us at www.growmuscatine.com and on Facebook: Grow Muscatine.

Small Business Highlight

Growth by small businesses is an important part of Muscatine’s economy.  Most of the community’s businesses are small, according to U.S. census data from 2012, the last year for which numbers are available.  The census identified 941 businesses in Muscatine County, including 704 in Muscatine – 48 percent of which employed no more than four people.

A recent addition to our community is Arctic Dental, started by Dr. Jarod Johnson, General Manager, in July 2015.  Dr. Johnson opened Arctic Dental as a young professional before turning 30 years old.  His uncle started his own dental practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL at a young age as well.  His uncle has served as an inspiration throughout his life to show how rewarding owning your own business can be.

It has been about two decades since Muscatine has had a full time pediatric dentist.  According to Dr. Jarod, “the community has had limited access to pediatric specialty dental care, and many residents have had to travel to Iowa City or the Quad Cities for care.  The need for a full-time pediatric dentist in the community was evident.  Muscatine also offers many benefits that cannot be found in other cities in Iowa with a similar need.  Muscatine is full of rich history, established traditions, and a strong sense of community.”  Being in Muscatine full-time also allows for better access to care for children in the community.  Parents can schedule appointments Monday – Friday to meet the needs of work and school schedules.

Dr. Jarod’s experience of starting a business in Muscatine has been positive “the community involvement of opening a new business in Muscatine is outstanding.  The support provided from the chamber, the medical community, and businesses, has been impressive.  It is something that cannot be found in a larger community.  Everyone has been supportive and wants to see small businesses be successful to provide new services, create new opportunities for employment, and help Muscatine grow.”

Dr. Jarod earned a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine.  He attended two additional years of education to learn how to treat children from infancy through adolescence and those with special healthcare needs.  The advanced training covered  behavior management, sedation, hospital dentistry, trauma, special health care needs, interceptive orthodontics, space maintenance, oral hygiene, and dietary counseling.  Additionally, Dr. Jarod has been issued a permit for Moderate Sedation in office, and has privileges at Unity Point in Muscatine to offer care in a hospital setting.

Earlier this year Arctic Dental renovated a portion of a vacant building to become a child-friendly dental office. The office was built with children and parents in mind. Large treatment rooms allow for space for parents to be present if they choose. There is also a portion of the office where children can see others getting care as children do better when they see others doing well.  Additionally, there is room for expansion as the business grows with the number of new patients.