Smile - it's a spa (page 2)
The terms describe "any office that tries to make itself special so that the patient can differentiate it from the traditional office setting," said Kimberly Harms, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.
Virtual-reality goggles, Internet hookups, video games, headphones, hand waxes, juice bars, desktop fountains, wind chimes, hand lotion and hot towels are among common enhancements.
Fixari Family Dental near Eastland Mall bakes oatmeal, sugar and chocolate chip cookies at the office. Stonecreek Dental Care in Pickerington shines shoes.
Jeff Angart of Capitol Square Dental, located Downtown, is negotiating to include facial dermabrasions, Botox and collagen injections at his ambitious new venture in New Albany.
Surprisingly, dentists do not charge for most of the frills. They bank on patient referrals and repeat business to compensate for added costs.
"I don't think there is any doubt that these services generate new business," said dentist Mark Fixari of Fixari Family Dental. "People say: 'I'm here because you have cookies and headphones.' They create talk about us."
Fresh flowers, complimentary newspapers, lattes and massage pads are just a small portion of the cost of doing business.
"Overhead makes up 70 percent of the expenses in a dental practice," Harms said. "These amenities add 1 or 2 percent to that. They are easily absorbed because the overhead it so high anyway."
Many practices also mitigate their upfront investment by adding one extra at a time.
Terminology and decor are part of the makeover.
"We call out receptionist the dental concierge, and our dental assistants are patient ambassadors," Schindler said.
Her husband, Mark, the office and business manager, is "director of guest services."
At Stonecreek Dental Care, a love seat, sofa, chair, lamps and flowers adorn a waiting area that resembles a living room.
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Dr Sharon Schindler DDS, Holistic Dentistry - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and dental spa treatment to the areas of Columbus and Powell, Ohio.
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