Say ‘AHHHHHH’ at a Dental Spa

My patient Cheryl was once a self-professed 'dental visit hater.' She would usually postpone or cancel her appointments, and when she finally did come, it was with a great deal of reluctance. Not anymore.

Today, she strolls swiftly into the room, cheerfully greets my assistant and sits down, smiling in anticipation. The most interesting part of this anecdote is that Cheryl bumped today’s appointment up! Like so many of my patients, I attribute this miraculous transformation to my new dental spa.

What's a dental spa? Although there's not really a clear definition for the term, it's commonly described as a dental facility where a licensed dentist complements the traditional dental services with ancillary ‘spa treatments.’ This definition is flawed. A 'spa treatment' means different things to different people. To illustrate, one dentist may consider a ‘dental spa treatment’ a neck rest and a DVD movie – while another feels it’s incomplete without a full-body massage, pedicure, paraffin wax and laser hair removal.

In the absence of an authoritative definition, I'll do my best to describe the key components of my dental spa. A dental spa begins with the ambiance – not the treatments. With plush, comfortable surfaces, low lighting, soft music and even softer colors – my offices are incredibly relaxing. For my interior, I contracted the Bellagio and Hard Rock hotel designers. My décor not only welcomes patients, it promises them a luxury experience. Everything in the office is designed to make patients as relaxed and comfortable as possible. When patients are calm and relaxed, they don't make sudden, jerky movements - so the procedures are safer and patient results are better.

I also use state-of-the-art technology and the best aesthetic techniques I can get my hands on. Lately, there's been a lot of controversy about types of dental spa treatments, like whether or not dentists should administer aesthetic anti-aging services, and which ones shouldn’t be included our realm of care.

As a cosmetic dentist, aesthetic enhancement is a fundamental part of my job description. I'd be remiss to not offer aesthetic anti-aging services. But I limit my treatments to the mouth – and more specifically, the smile. The thing is, a great smile isn't limited to healthy teeth and gums – it includes the whole face.

One of the big arguments has been over the use of facial injectables like BOTOX®, Restylane® and Juvéderm.™ Many dental boards restrict the use of injectables to therapeutic applications like TMD, migraines and pain management. I believe that as licensed medical professionals, dentists have an intimate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, and thus should be able to offer the same aesthetic services that nurses in dayspas can. But since my dental practice statutes and professional liability coverage providers disagree, I've had to seek out alternative treatments. The great news is: I've found some!

I call it the 'True Smile Lift' package. As patients get their teeth whitened, my dental assistant pampers them with a relaxing in-office Facial Fitness collagen stimulating treatment (it uses LPG's Dental M6, a Class 1, FDA-cleared device approved for facial aesthetic use); since it's non-invasive, there are no added liabilities or board regulations. My 'True Smile Lift' package uses Facial Fitness for its anti-aging benefits, like uplifting slackening facial contours, restoring volume loss and smoothing away lines and wrinkles - but it can also be used for pain relief and to relax muscle tensions (like TMJ).

After Facial Fitness, I apply my very own True Aesthetic skincare line, which includes an Enzyme Lip Peel,™ Lip Conditioning Treatment,™ Instant Lip Plumper,™ Lip Line Filler™ and Collagen Building Lip Product.™ The True Aesthetic skincare line was originally created for my treatments, but my patients loved the products so much, I started selling them, too.

My 'dental spa' has really transformed my practice. The extended visits have allowed my team to increase the rapport with patients. Not only do I have fewer cancelations and greater frequency of dental visits, I've been getting lots of referrals, too. I’ve noticed that not only does the dental spa draw a higher-tier clientele with more disposable income, the expanded aesthetic services are appealing to professionals working in image-conscious industries like the media. And, since many of my treatments are ignored by traditional dental offices, my patients are driving long distances just to see me.

And if anyone asks you, yes, it's well worth the drive. If you come to my dental spa, your spirits – and smile – get a lift.

About Dr. Willardsen:

After graduating from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Dr. Joseph G. Willardsen continued his cosmetic dental training to become a ‘full mouth graduate’ at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute and Arrowhead International. He is also a member of the “Aesthetic Dentistry” editorial advisory board. His comprehensive background in advanced neuromuscular dentistry makes him one of elite group of dentists that comprise less than 1% of dentists in the United States. Today, his unique knowledge and experiences have allowed to him teach other dentists interested in the field of cosmetics.

As a result of Dr. Willardsen's training and outstanding results, he is regularly featured on television and in national trade and consumer magazines. Each week, he’s on Televisions "The Wellness Hour," and “Trust TV” which airs weekly. He regularly writes articles for well-renowned dental publications and has been featured in such popular magazines such as Aesthetic Dentistry, Dental Economics, Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar, Town & Country, Marie Claire, Redbook, Vegas, Aesthetic Dentistry, Dental Economics, Nevada Woman and Esteem.

Dr. Willardsen’s natural talent and ability to create beautiful smiles make him very popular with professional athletes, television hosts, news casters, models, beauty pageant winners and a host of other cosmetically-driven patients. In fact, this year, Dr. Willardsen has also been given the distinctive honor as being the official dentist of the Miss Nevada U.S.A. pageant.

For more information on Dr. Willardsen and his services, visit www.truedentistry.com.