Dental Spa

A dental spa focuses on the overall health of a patient -- offering quality dental services and spa treatments to reach a patient’s mind, body and spirit. Supervised by a licensed dentist, dental spas offer additional treatments in relaxation that enhance one’s dental experience. Dental spas offer a wide variety of treatments such as massage therapy, paraffin wax, tanning, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and facials.

In the past decade, dental spas have become increasingly popular as dentists continue to make the connection between medical procedures and mental health. Just as a cosmetic procedure can change patients’ demeanors and lift their spirits, something as simple as a hand massage can make a routine dental visit a more enjoyable experience. Additionally, research has shown that patients who are more relaxed and content will have a better reaction to medical treatment.

Critics Dispelled

The few critics of dental spas may say that professionals in the dental care industry are only looking to increase profits and make dental visits a less-dreaded experience. While this may be the case, dental spas are getting favorable reviews from around the globe for doing just that – making dental visits a completely non-dreaded experience and instead, one they even look forward to repeating in the future.

The Experience and Services

When patients enter a dental spa, they may notice a difference in atmosphere immediately. Dental spas often feature soft lighting, which creates a calm and relaxing environment for treatments. The dental spa may have soothing background music and even offer refreshments, such as herbal tea or champagne. Some dental spas include standard relaxation services as they perform dental procedures – amenities that include heated pillows, massage chairs and flat-screen televisions. However, others offer more extensive services. Staff may offer a menu of treatments similar to those found at mainstream spas, including the following:

Massage Therapy: Dental spas offer a range of massage services, including head and neck massages, aromatherapy, chair massages and full-body treatments.

Reflexology: This treatment focuses on reflexes primarily on the feet area to offer relief and comfort to other areas throughout the body. Reflexology has been known to ease tension headaches, arthritis, insomnia, stress, back pain, digestive disorders and sports injuries.

Paraffin Wax: This procedure usually is done on the hands or feet and helps put moisture back into the skin. A paraffin wax involves dipping the hands or feet in a soft, warm wax that offers a calming effect through the warmth and often accompanying aroma.

Tanning: Dental spas have been known to offer tanning services, perhaps to contrast a patient’s skin tone with their newly-brightened smile. Sunless tanning treatments are growing in popularity, offering a safer alternative to ultraviolet ray services.

Hydrotherapy: Through the use of treatments like baths, compresses and saunas, hydrotherapy employs water to soothe muscles and relieve aches and pains.

Facials: This treatment cleanses, moisturizes and tones the face and neck, and usually incorporates a facial massage. A patient is often assessed before the facial begins to determine if the facial will focus on acne correction, age-defying treatments or total relaxation.

Dental Spa Credentials

To offer more intricate spa treatments on top of regular dentistry services, a dentist or staff member should receive certification through a government-approved training program in areas of massage, aesthetics or general spa therapy.

Spa Treatment Costs

Some spa treatments may come standard with dental services and thus a patient may not incur an additional fee. These types of complimentary services are implemented to enhance a patient’s overall experience and ensure future visits at the dental spa. Other services take much more time and resources and are charged accordingly.