Dental spa

A Dental Spa is a dental facility supervised by a licensed dentist in which dental services are provided alongside spa treatments.^[1][2]

In 2003, Lynn Watanabe, DDS of the Dental Spa in Pacific Palisades, California and the Day Spa Association defined a dental spa as "a facility whose dental program is run under the strict supervision of a licensed dentist. Services are provided that integrate both traditional and non-traditional dental and spa treatments (such as massage therapy, skincare and body treatments)." ^[3][4]

"Spa dentistry" refers to dental practices that offer many services not normally associated with dental care: facials, paraffin wax hand treatment, reflexology, micro-dermabrasion, massage therapy, Botox and Restylane treatment, and many other pampering, therapeutic and rejuvenating offerings.^[5] (Note: The administration of botox and restylane is based on each respective state's dental board approval. Check with appropriate state dental boards regarding the regulation of this type of practice.)

The American Dental Association notes that the consumer media have coined the term “dental spa,” but many practices offer services and amenities specifically designed to relax patients without considering themselves a “spa.”^[6] The loose definition of “dental spas” makes it difficult if not impossible to know how many dental spas exist in the United States.^[6] See "Variations of the Dental Spa Concept" section below.

Background

One of the main reasons people avoid visiting the dentist is dental anxiety.^[7][8] Dental anxiety drives some people to create more dental problems by not visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Patients who are high in dental anxiety have the greatest likelihood of avoiding dental treatment.^[7] An estimated nine percent to fifteen percent of the American population—about 30 million to 40 million people—avoid essential dental care because of fear or anxiety.^[9][10]

Studies on Managing Dental Patient Fear Through Comfort

The first known scientific study on dental fear occurred in 1954.^[11] Dental anxiety has been a well-studied phenomenon since the late 1960s.^[7] Since then, studies and several books report successful treatment of patients with dental fear using behavioral methods.^[12][13][14]

The First Dental Spas

Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Chinese all used certain methods to relax a person suffering from ailments such as a toothache. The "barber surgeon" in the 18th and 19th century allowed barbers to perform some dental procedures as well as shaves and haircuts.^[4] The term "spa dentistry" (presently synonymous to dental spa) actually was used in the 18th century to describe dental practitioners in Bath England.^[15] Ms. Curris, a woman dentist in 18th Century Bath England likely created the first dental spa offering patients dentistry with skin and bodycare.^[16] Perhaps one could argue those dental practitioners in 18th Century Bath England were the "first dental spas."

A Journey Full Circle - The Dental Spa Revisited

1980s

1986 Debra Grant created Perioromatherapy: The Original Dental Spa in Boca Raton, FL.^{[citation needed]}

1987 Dr. Harvey Silverman opened the Aesthetic Smile Center in June 1987, providing not only dentistry, but hot oil facials, massages, and a whirlpool.^[17][18]

1990s

1994 London's The Guardian has identified the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry as "one of the first of these new dental spas.”^[19] The February 19, 2007 reported that Debra Gray King, DDS, began providing spa services at the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in 1994.^[20]

1996 Lorin Berland DDS, began providing a massage therapist on staff.^[21]

1999 On July 11, 1999, the New York Times reported several Long Island dentists were offering "distraction techniques" by offering massage therapy to their patients. The article reports that massage services were offered since early 1999.^[22]

2000s

2001 On October 1, 2002, Salt Lake Magazine reported that the Dental Spa in Sugarhouse provided patients with complimentary spa services such as temple massage, hand treatments, eye masks, and other techniques aimed at calming the patients. The spa services were provided since the Spa's inception in 2001.^[23]

2002 On August 12, 2002, the Los Angeles Times reported Lynn Watanabe, DDS, one of the field's "pioneers,"^[1] opened "Dental Spa" in Pacific Palisades, California with a full-time esthetician and full-time massage therapist.^[24]

2009 Mickelwait Family Dentistry & Spa of Mount Vernon, WA was the first dental spa to open in Skagit and Whatcom counties in Washington state.^{[citation needed]} Washington allows Botox and dermal fillers to be performed by a doctor of dental surgery.^{[citation needed]}

Other Early Adapters

The Wall Street Journal noted some of early Dental Spas in the world include Wynn Okuda of Honolulu, Debra King of Atlanta, Jeff Golub-Evans of New York, and Grace Sun of Los Angeles,^[25] Some later adapters of the dental spa concept include "Cocosmile" (2005) in Helsinki, Finland; California, "Northwoods Dental Spa" (2004) in San Antonio, Texas, USA; and "Dental Spa" in Seoul, Korea.^[1]

Commercial Use of the Name "Dental Spa"

The terms, “dental spa” and “spa dentistry,” began to be more publicly used in the late 1990s.^[26] In 1998, Lorin Berland DDS, reserved the name DallasDentalSpa.com.^[27]

Variations of the Dental Spa Concept

Although there are many variations, adapters of the dental spa concept generally offer cosmetic, general, and restorative dentistry with a key focus on making the visit a pampering and pleasant experience.^[28]

Faux Dental Spas

On one end of the spectrum, some dental offices have done little more than adding candles, flat-screen TVs, cookies and juice in the reception area and call themselves a dental spa.

Dental Med Spas

On the other end, other dental offices have combined with spas, plastic surgeons, hair salons and other healthcare, spa and beauty industry professionals.

Feng Shui

Some of the dental spa providers have incorporated Feng Shui design into the office space.^{[citation needed]} Perhaps the most key spa dentistry treatment is massage, which is known to release endorphins and lower blood pressure. Normal dental office anxiety can raise blood pressure and encourage the production of adrenaline, decreasing the effectiveness of anesthesia. Massage can offset these undesirable effects, in turn requiring less chemical anesthesia for the same numbing effects.^[29] See video of dental spas, including massage therapists, profiled on The Early Show on CBS in March 2002.^[30]

Professional Associations

In 1978, the Holistic Dental Association was formed to focus on the mind-body connection and the dental patient's well being. Spa dentistry is presently recognized by the International Medical Spa Association and the Day Spa Association, but similar to the field of cosmetic dentistry, is not recognized as a specialty practice area by the American Dental Association. In 2002, Lynn Watanabe, DDS founded the first dental spa association with the creation of the International Dental Spa Association.^[31] The New York Times reported in 2006 that "it now has ten members and are coming up with guidelines for what services constitute a dental spa."^[32]

Prevalence

In 2003, the American Dental Association reported that more than 50% of 427 practicing dentists surveyed at their annual session offered some sort of spa or office amenity.^[33] In 2005, as many as 5% of the American Dental Association's more than 152,000 members had declared themselves "dental spas", a number then growing daily in the U.S. and in other countries, including Panama,^[34] Korea, Brazil and Finland.^[1] In 2007, the ADA estimated that possibly that one in every 20 dental offices in the United States actually offers, to some extent, some spa dentistry services to their patients.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Brosseau, J. (September/October 2005) Spa Rx: Transcend-dental Spa Finder Magazine. Accessed September 13, 2007.
2. ^ Quinion, M. (Feb. 2003). “Dental Spa” World Wide Words http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-den2.htm (Toronto Star November 2002 coverage of Dental Spa Pacific Palisades and citing The Guardian,’' London, Jan. 2003)(“The Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Georgia is one of the first of these new dental spas.”) Brosseau, J. (September/October 2005) Spa Rx: Transcend-dental Spa Finder Magazine. Accessed September 13, 2007. ("Lynn Watanabe, DDS, one of the field's pioneers")
3. ^ Day Spa Association Glossary 2003
4. ^ ^{a b} Dental+Spa=Blackjack, American Dental Association 147th Annual Scientific Session, October 19, 2006.
5. ^ ^{a b} Glick, M. One-Stop Shopping J Am Dent Assoc. Vol 138, No 3, 282-283 (2007).
6. ^ ^{a b} American Dental Assoc. News Release Growing Number of Dentists Offer Patient-Pampering Amenities J Am Dent Assoc October 23, 2003.
7. ^ ^{a b c} Smith, T, Heaton, L Fear of Dental Care: Are We Making Progress? J Am Dent Assoc Vol 134, No. 8, 1101-1108, 2003
8. ^ Bails, J. Spa Dentistry: Indulgent treatments reduce the stress of once-dreaded appointments. ‘’MSN Health & Fitness’’
9. ^ WPTV, May 14, 2008, Dental Spas
10. ^ WFTV, June 17, 2008, Patients Relaxing in Dental Spas
11. ^ Shoben EJ, Borland L. An empirical study of the etiology of dental fears. ‘’J Clin Psychology’’ 1954;10:171–4.[Medline]
12. ^ Kroeger RF. Managing the apprehensive dental patient. Cincinnati: Heritage Communications; 1987.
13. ^ Kroeger RF. How to overcome fear of dentistry. Cincinnati: Heritage Communications; 1988.
14. ^ Milgrom P, Weinstein P, Getz T. Treating fearful dental patients. 2nd ed. Seattle: University of Washington; 1995.
15. ^ Fawcett, T., Spa dentistry: practitioners in 18th century Bath. May 1996.
16. ^ Fawcett, T., Spa dentistry: practitioners in 18th century Bath. May 1996
17. ^ Schwartz, B. Facial and Dental Beauty is Goal of Skin Care Clinic Dental Management (August 1988).
18. ^ Wurdinger, V. Smile! We're a Full Service Salon American Salon
19. ^ "Dental Spa” World Wide Words citing The Guardian,’' London, (Jan. 2003)(“The Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Georgia is one of the first of these new dental spas.”).
20. ^ Clayton, V. (Feb 19, 2007) Relax and say, ‘Ahhh’; Stressed about that dental cleaning and exam? Some spa-like offices now offer aromatherapy, facials, even massages.” Los Angeles Times (“Dr. Debra Gray King, an Atlanta dentist who has been featured on ABC’s '‘Extreme Makeover,'’ has been offering spa services since 1994.”)
21. ^ Dalin, J. A conversation with...Lorin Berland, DDS. Dental Economics (April 1, 2005) (For me, probably the first step in spa dentistry came in 1996 when I brought a massage therapist into the office.")
22. ^ [1] New York Times,"Open Wide, and How About a Massage?" July 11, 1999.
23. ^ Salt Lake Magazine, October 1, 2002.
24. ^ Los Angeles Times, August 12, 2002.
25. ^ "Massaging More Than Your Gums" September 10, 2002. The Wall Street Journal
26. ^ Spa Opens May 1” (April 9, 1997). The Sacramento Bee ("The Dental Spa" teeth whitening salon opened May 1, 1997 in California.
27. ^ Wahl, P., Hollett, L., Hegarty, G. KNOCKS and Rubs of Dental Spas Dental Economics (Sept. 29, 2004)
28. ^ Song, S. “Root Canals Are Better With a Foot Massage,” Time, December 30, 2002. (“You feel like you're there to get nurtured and pampered.”).
29. ^ Gilbert, K. The Spa Treatment--Plus Fillings Psychology Today, (June 20, 2006).
30. ^ Birnbach, L. Yikes, I'm Still Afraid of Going to the Dentist CBS The Early Show (March 6, 2002)
31. ^ Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, August 2005.
32. ^ Alsever, J. At the Dentist's Office, X-Rays, Root Canals and, Now, Pampering New York Times, (April 30, 2006).
33. ^ Spa Dentistry. Aug/Sept. 2004. AGD Impact. The Academy of General Dentistry.
34. ^ Clinica Ford Dental Spa | Dr. Richard Ford, Panama

External links

• Say Ahh! at the Dental Spa Fox News. Accessed September 13, 2007.