Jimmy Wu, DDS, runs Sutra Dental Spa in La Mesa, California, which prides itself on providing not only the best, up-to-date service available, but also making its patients feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Here, Dr. Wu explains why he has an oxygen bar in his office, and how it can help make his patients more willing to accept their dental treatment with a grin, rather than a grimace.
Oxygen bars originated in Japan and China and became trendy when people who were tired after a night of clubbing used them to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. At Sutra Dental Spa, we offer our patients full use of an oxygen bar, which is something we have on hand to help them relax. Our oxygen bar is located right in the patient lounge, which is what we call our patient waiting area. When they arrive, they are welcome to use it at their leisure, and how much they want to use it is entirely up to them.
A special generator provides clean, safe oxygen, which you can breathe in, using sanitary nose hoses. Our oxygen bar is tied into a device which pushes out 98-percent oxygen. As the oxygen flows through the water that is treated with a specific flavor, the person who is inhaling it gets a pleasing odor wafting through his nasal passages. We have several flavors on hand, such as peppermint and vanilla, so hopefully there is something for everyone. We can show you how to use it so you can make full use of its many benefits.
Relaxing and Calming
More than anything, the relaxation part of the oxygen bar is not so much a scientific process, when breathing in excess oxygen makes an individual feel more relaxed. Instead, it just makes the patients focus more on breathing, as a lot of time when we are stressed or anxious we forget to breathe.
When you use the oxygen bar at Sutra Dental Spa, you are forced to concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. Our patients sit at the bar, breathing in the oxygen and breathing it out. So no matter how they feel when they arrived, it definitely helps them relax.
Tying Together Mind and Body
There is no extra charge for use of the oxygen bar as we provide it for free, as well as an on-site massage therapist for patients who are perhaps especially fearful, or who are nursing an intense dental phobia. We find that relaxed patients are more receptive to anesthesia. So in the long run, our oxygen bar actually saves us both time and money and makes a more pleasant experience for everyone.
At Sutra Dental Spa, we do all we can to tie together mind and body. We want people to leave our office feeling lighter and refreshed, as if they had been in some type of long meditation. To achieve this, we capitalize on sight, sound and smell, doing everything we can to get the best benefit from the senses as possible.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
