A special edition of AMTA's popular e-zine sent to you by your local AMTA member designed to present you with information on the benefits of massage.
| In This Issue |
A Message From Your Massage Therapist
Dental anxiety is prevalent in America. In fact, millions of people avoid going in for regular oral health checkups because of these fears. But a new brand of dental establishments is popping up—dental spas. Some dental offices now incorporate many therapies traditionally found in spas, including massage. Julie Wilson, editor of Pulse magazine, looks at one such practice in California that welcomes dental patients with everything from the scent of fragrant aromatherapy to a variety of natural juices and waters to sip. Patients in the office also are given a complimentary lavender-scented neck wrap and a chair-side massage. With packages available that offer a full body massage, teeth whitening and a spa facial, going to the dentist never looked so relaxing!
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DENTAL SPA: OPEN UP AND SAY “AHHH”
By Julie Wilson
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2003 issue of Pulse, the
official magazine of the International SPA Association. For more
information, visit
www.experienceispa.com.
Would you rather:
a) bungee jump off the side of a remote canyon?
b) stick your head in a lion’s mouth?
c) go to the dentist?
Yes, these may be extreme examples. But if you’re like many people, answer “c” isn’t even an option, even if you have a deadly fear of heights and serious cat allergies. Dentists have as many poor jokes made about them as lawyers, and most people feel about as sympathetic toward one as the other.
Dr. Lynn Watanabe, a dentist in Pacific Palisades, California, knows that most people only begrudgingly go to the dentist. She’ll be the first to tell you that sitting in that awkward chair with your mouth wide open for a long period of time isn’t usually seen as a pleasure trip. And that’s exactly why she created Dental Spa.
The idea came to Watanabe a few years ago, and she and her husband, John, incorporated it in January 2002. Her motivation behind the concept is clear: to create an inviting retreat for those in need of dental services, though in a setting of complete relaxation. “You enter our relaxation room, as opposed to a traditional waiting room, and immediately you see the difference,” she says.
And that difference is clear. The first clue is the location of Dental Spa. “We have a very private office that has a view of a garden nursery; it looks almost like a French impressionist painting,” says Watanabe. With an ocean-side location, the facility offers a quiet escape from the busy downtown area of Los Angeles.
The design of the spa is a nice complement to the atmosphere she is trying to create. Instead of a stack of worn magazines and barely audible elevator music, guests are welcomed with the sounds of relaxing tunes, the scent of fragrant aromas and an array of natural juices and waters. Then, after the standard paperwork is filled out (insurance coverage, health history, etc.), the client heads back to the dental chair.
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REXUSA With baby in tow, Harley Jane Kosak gets a teeth whitening, foot massage and hand massage during a visit to Dental Spa. |
But the spa philosophy doesn’t end here. In fact, it only gets better. The guest is given a relaxing neck wrap of lavender and a chair-side massage–both are complimentary. There are also packages available for purchase, with the most popular being a combination teeth cleaning or whitening, full body massage and dental spa facial. Obviously the spa treatments are a hit. “We have people come in just for spa services,” she says. And for those who are just in for a routine dental checkup, this is a way to introduce them to the spa experience. “It’s a great way to introduce the public to the spa industry,” says Watanabe. “People may have never gone to a spa before, so they come see me every six months, and we can introduce them in a nonintimidating way.”
Just as she is teaching her patients a new way to find relaxation during a dental appointment, she is also being educated in the world of spa. “We are constantly improving things,” she says. “That’s what we’ve actually learned from the spa industry–you constantly take classes and learn.” One of those learning experiences came during the 2002 International SPA Association (ISPA) Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. “[The Conference] was incredible,” she says, singing the praises of both the helpfulness of the attendees as well as the educational sessions. In fact, she even took the opportunity to have lunch with ISPA President Jeff Kohl to “pick his brain,” as she puts it.
This investment in learning about the industry is already paying off. She and her husband have started a dental spa chain, with the first franchise located in Michigan and owned by Dr. Gary Sasaki. She sees this growing interest in the dental spa concept as a clear indicator of its promising future. “I look at it as a way to transform the dental industry to be quite a positive force,” she says.
And that transformation can be a great benefit for the dental and spa industries ... as well as the client. “When we talk about spa service, we are talking about taking care of the client,” she says. “Both the spa and dental industries are very similar in this way.”
DENTAL SPA: VITAL STATISTICS
Square footage:1,250 square feet
Number of treatment rooms: Five
Method of staff payment/compensation: Direct pay hourly/commission
Percentage of revenues spent on advertising/marketing: 5%
Signature treatment: Teeth whitening or teeth cleaning with complimentary head, neck, hand, foot massage and/or sea salt scrub followed by a hot steaming towel to freshen up. Then a full body massage followed by a facial or microdermabrasion.
Product lines used: Britesmile, Dermalogica, Aroma Vera
~ Julie Wilson is the editor of Pulse magazine, the official magazine of ISPA. She can be contacted at julie.wilson@ispastaff.com.
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, studies have indicated that as many as 25 million Americans do not go to the dentist because of fear and anxiety.
MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES—THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT
Along with all the typical holiday festivities comes another holiday staple—stress. Gift certificates for massages are sure to be a hit with anyone on your holiday list. What better time of year to treat yourself or loved ones to a massage? To find a qualified AMTA massage therapist near you, visit the locator service online today or call toll-free at 888-THE-AMTA [843-2682].
Fussy newborn?
Try these two things before you lose your cool! You may even find yourself relaxing!
1. Place the baby in the fetal position with head down, arms tucked in, and knees tucked up, making sure baby is wrapped securely in a soft blanket. Rest your hands on baby for a few minutes without moving him or her. Breathe deeply and relax.
2. Place baby on the left side of your chest, secured in the blanket. As you walk, slowly stroke from the head down to the diaper, over the clothing and blanket.
With your gentle touch, baby is reminded of being in the womb. So relaxing!
Joanie Lacey
Professional Member
Saltville, Virginia
For a different massage tip each week, visit AMTA’s Massage Room.
LEGAL NOTICE: Articles submitted by individual authors are copyrighted by those authors and reprinted with their permission. Views expressed in these articles are not necessarily the views of the American Massage Therapy Association®, and should in no way be construed as an endorsement. They are for informational purposes only.
© 2005 American Massage Therapy Association® All rights reserved.