Abstract
The dental spa has become an established part of the dentistry market. Dental
spa experts estimate that up to 5% of dental practices in USA currently offer
“dental spa” or spa dentistry services. Strong growth is forecast
and numbers are expected to increase with as many as three quarters of US
dental practices possibly becoming dental spas. They can boost sales by doing
so as dental spas report patients spending about 30% more per visit than in a
traditional dentist' s office.
Dental spas, once considered a luxury restricted to California and New York,
are now found throughout the US. The dental spa concept is successful because
it meets new consumer demands, until now largely ignored by the traditional
dental practice. It is also drawing in new customers with a high percentage of
spa clients being first time users. The dental spa client profile is somewhat
different to the usual dental office. Clients are drawn from the more
image-conscious industries such as real-estate and the media. Men can account
for up to 50% of patients in many dental spas. Unlike the traditional dental
practice which depends on its local catchment area, dental tourists are
important clients as consumers are prepared to travel from afar.
The dental spa was created by borrowing techniques and procedures from the day
or med spa to reduce the stress or fear of pain commonly associated with the
dentist' s appointment. However, “dental spa” remains an umbrella
terms with many definitions co-existing. As with all spas there is
disagreement whether spa should mean a different treatments are provided or
relaxation and de-stressing therapies are added to the existing service menu.
With so many different meanings, it can be no surprise that estimates for
dental spas in the US vary so widely.
Some definitions of dental spas include dental practices that add non-dental
procedures, such as spa services while other definitions include any dental
practice that aims to offer patients a more relaxing experience than the
traditional dental practice focused exclusively on dental procedures. Dental
spas now include dental practices which: specialise in cosmetic dental care
offer alternative dental care create a “spa-like” atmosphere or
environment add spa treatments, offering dental care and spa under the one
roof.
Most strikingly, a large number of cosmetic dentists have become dental spas.
Cosmetic dental care includes procedures provided for the purpose of
appearance enhancement rather than general dental health. These practices are
somewhat analogous to the medspa business where the lines between beauty and
medical procedures are now blurred. Cosmetic dental work can account for 50%
of income in some dental spas for the simple reason that their clients are
more cosmetically minded and more affluent than the rest of the population.
The leading cosmetic dental procedure is almost always teeth whitening, now
ubiquitous in the USA. As one expert put it, “Everyone has to have very
white teeth.” Other leading cosmetic procedures are “smile
makeovers” that is, reconstructive dental work, such as veneers, crowns
and bridges.
The spa services that can be offered in dental spas are as wide ranging as
those offered in any other type of spa.
They can include, for example:- - " Aromatherapy
- Beauty treatments
- Relaxation and massage therapies
- Medical treatments
- Laser skincare treatments
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