NO-DRAMA DENTISTRY NEW SPAS TAKE THE PAIN AND PANIC OUT OF DENTAL EXAMS.Byline: MELISSA HECKSCHER >LA.COM (1) (Computer Output Microfilm) Creating microfilm or microfiche from the computer. A COM machine receives print-image output from the computer either online or via tape or disk and creates a film image of each page. It's no secret: Going to the dentist isn't fun. How about relaxing? Hardly. First you encounter that gleaming tray of sharp scraping instruments. Then you see the needles. And don't forget the drill with the high-pitched whine. But some dentists are trying to put a cap on all the horrors and realign re·a·lign tr.v. re·a·ligned, re·a·lign·ing, re·a·ligns 1. To put back into proper order or alignment. 2. To make new groupings of or working arrangements between. the experience. At Best Natural Smile in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , a teardrop-shaped crystal hangs by a window to "balance the energy" of the room. A pitcher of orange-infused ice water sits in the dimly lit lobby, and a melody of soft instrumental music plays throughout the practice's airy 11th-floor office. The goal is to coax apprehensive patients into the chair with a wide-mouthed "ahhh." Creating such a soothing environment is serious business because fewer than half of all Americans see a dentist every six months as prescribed, according to the American Dental Association American Dental Association (ADA), n.pr a nonprofit professional association whose membership is dental professionals in the United States. Its purpose is to assist its members in providing the highest professional and ethical care to the citizens of the . The ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. says that about 26 percent of consumers report a previous bad experience with a dentist as a reason for avoidance. "People want to be pampered pam·per tr.v. pam·pered, pam·per·ing, pam·pers 1. To treat with excessive indulgence: pampered their child. 2. ," says Hilarie Steele, a dental hygienist dental hygienist n. A person trained and licensed to provide preventive dental services, such as cleaning the teeth, usually in conjunction with a dentist. at Best Natural Smile. "The dentist is a perfect place for that because there's so much fear attached to it." To subdue fears, every Best Natural patient gets a hand massage and a dabbing of lavender oil to promote relaxation. A touch of flower essences flower essences, n.pl homeopathic dilutions of flowers systematized by Edward Bach, MD; used to address emotional imbalance. is applied to relieve potential gum inflammation. Neck pillows, silk blankets, a vibrating vibrating, v using quivering hand motions made across the client's body for therapeutic purposes. massage chair, iPods, on-demand movies (as well as nitrous oxide nitrous oxide or nitrogen (I) oxide, chemical compound, N2O, a colorless gas with a sweetish taste and odor. Its density is 1.977 grams per liter at STP. It is soluble in water, alcohol, ether, and other solvents. , if all else fails) are optional. "There's definitely no apprehension in coming here," said Desiree Bigelow, 23, a Santa Monica resident who's been coming to Best Natural for more than a year. "It's not like, 'Oh no, I have to go to the dentist.' Put some flowers in a vase, give me some hand cream, an iPod, and I'm OK." Of course, Best Natural isn't the only Southern California dental office upping its feng shui Feng shui Traditional Chinese method of arranging the human and social world in auspicious alignment with the forces of the cosmos, including qi and yin-yang. It was devised during the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220). in the name of customer service. According to a recent ADA survey, about half of the nation's dentists incorporate some type of relaxation element -- little things such as headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. , TVs, soothing music and neck rests -- into their practices. About 5 percent, including Dental Spa in Pacific Palisades Palisades, cliffs along the west bank of the Hudson River, NE N.J. and SE N.Y., extending from N of Jersey City, N.J., to the vicinity of Piermont, N.Y., with a general altitude of from 350 ft to 550 ft (107–168 m). (reportedly the first Southern California dental office to offer spa services), go a step further by offering massage, microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion (often referred to as Microderm) is a cosmetic procedure popular in day spas, doctors' practices, and medical spas, in which the stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion. facials, and hand and foot treatments. Those amenities generally are not included in the cost of a dental visit and are priced according to traditional spa rates (adding $20 to $500 to the bill, depending on the service). "We find that it helps relax patients who are sometimes nervous to see the dentist," said John Chien, offer manager at Dental Spa. Chien, along with his wife, Dr. Lynn Watanabe, formed the International Dental Spa Association in 2002 to help other dentists incorporate spa services into their practices. "The whole point of all this, really, is distraction," Chien says. "(Spa services) help you think of something else rather than feeling the pain." Since he and Watanabe began offering spa treatments five years ago, Chien says, Dental Spa has seen a three-fold increase in business, prompting it to become the first dental office to be listed in the Day Spa Association. The couple's business model is now being licensed out to dental offices around the world. "You're seeing this worldwide trend," Chien said. "Part of the reason why is because everyone is saying, 'There's got to be a more pleasant way to administer dental services."' Melissa Heckscher, (310) 540-5511, melissa.heckscher@dailybreeze.com Our picks for dental offices offering spa services designed to ease patient anxiety: SHERMAN OAKS Millennium Dental 14629 Ventura Blvd. (800) 927-6453 www.youngersmile.com Amenities: aromatherapy, reflexology Reflexology Definition Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. , manicures, facials, neck wrap, paraffin wax, Botox and the wrinkle filler Restylane. BEVERLY HILLS Grace Sun, D.D.S D.S Drainage Structure (flood protection) . 462 N. Doheny Drive (310) 274-4200 www.sundds.com Amenities: complimentary neck and shoulder massage, reflexology, massage chairs, Internet access and a beverage/smoothie bar. Ora Dentistry Spa 421 N. Rodeo Drive (310) 273-0848 www.oradentistryspa.com Amenities: manicures, massage, waxing, grooming (razor shave), aromatherapy, Botox and Restylane. SANTA MONICA Best Natural Smile 1260 15th St., Suite 1117 (310) 393-0465 www.bestnaturalsmile.com Amenities: complimentary hand massage, aromatherapy, iPods, neck pillows, silk blankets and vibrating massage chairs. PACIFIC PALISADES Dental Spa 881 Alma Real Drive, Suite 222 (310) 454-3111 www.cadentalspa.com Amenities: complimentary hand/foot massage, full-body massage, facials, microdermabrasion and aromatherapy. ROLLING HILLS ESTATES Angel's Touch Dental Spa 43-B Peninsula Center (310) 544-7044 www.angelstouchdentalspa.com Amenities: full-body massage, facials and aromatherapy. >M.H. CAPTION(S): 6 photos, box Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) SOMETHING TO smile ABOUT Dental spas make twice-yearly checkups a pleasure, not a pain (2 -- 3 -- color) A hand massage, right, is part of the pampering at Best Natural Smile. Lori Coleman selects a fragrance for aroma therapy at Millennium Dental Spa, below. (4 -- 6 -- color) Soothing candles and flowers are in the dental exam room at Millennium Dental Spa, left. Desiree Bigelow relaxes with an iPod as Dr. Craig Israel smoothes out a rough tooth at Best Natural Smile, below. Josephine Rolle massages Lori Coleman's hand while giving a manicure at Millennium, right. Box: Our picks for dental offices offering spa services designed to ease patient anxiety (see text) |
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