A Dental Spa is a dental facility supervised by a licensed dentist in which dental services are provided alongside spa treatments.^[1] "Spa dentistry", a term describing the dentistry practiced there, is recognized by the International Medical Spa Association and the Day Spa Association, but not the American Dental Association.^[1]

Contents 1 Background 2 Prevalence 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Background

Lorin Berland, DDS, a Texas-based cosmetic dentist, is generally credited with coining the term "Dental Spa" in 1998,^[2] but spa dentistry was first introduced in 1978 by the Holistic Dental Association.^[1] Some of the pioneer Dental Spas in the world include "Cocosmile" in Helsinki, Finland; "Cosmetic and Biological Dental Spa" in San Clemente, California, USA; "Dental Spa" in Pacific Palisades, California, USA; and "Dental Spa" in Seoul, Korea.^[1] The Wall Street Journal also refers to Wynn Okada of Honolulu, Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Jeff Golub-Evans of New York, and Grace Sun of Los Angeles as early adopters.^[3]

The adapters of the dental spa concept offer cosmetic, restorative and family dentistry with a focus on health and well-being. Some of the dental and health spa providers have incorporated Feng_Shui design into the office space. ^[4]

[edit] Prevalence

In 2003, The American Dental Association revealed that more than 50% of 427 practicing dentists surveyed at their annual session offered some sort of spa or office amenity.^[5] In 2005, as many as 5% of the American Dental Association's more than 152,000 members had declared themselves as "dental spas", a number then growing daily in the U.S. and in other countries, including Korea, Brazil and Finland.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Brosseau, Jim. (September/October 2005) Spa Rx: Transcend-dental Spa Finder Magazine. Accessed September 13, 2007.
2. ^ Dalin, DDS Jeffrey B. A conversation with...Lorin Berland, DDS. Dental Economics. April 1, 2005. Accessed September 13, 2007.
3. ^ "Massaging More Than Your Gums" September 10, 2002. The Wall Street Journal
4. ^ Dental & Health Spa | Dr. Medwid, Stuart, Florida
5. ^ "Spa Dentistry." Aug/Sept. 2004. AGD Impact. The Academy of General Dentistry.

[edit] External links

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

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