Some can't wait to see spa dentist

If the dentist's words "open wide" fill you with fear, help may be on the way.

A number of dentists, hoping to relieve anxiety, pamper their patients and bring them back for regular visits, are offering comforts typically reserved for a trip to the spa.

Heated chairs with massage pads, warm hand towels served on silver platters, televisions with DVD players and coffee and juice bars have lately been turning up at dental practices. A few dentists have even combined their offices with full-service day spas. So now your six-month checkup could be followed by a full-body massage.

A 2001 poll conducted by the American Dental Association showed that 23 percent of adults hadn't gone to the dentist in the previous year because of fear of pain.

Perry Hall resident Linda Dulny was once a member of that fearful group, describing her early dental experiences as "horrendous." But she no longer frets about going to the dentist and even looks forward to visits at the Towson practice of Albert Ousborne Jr., Patrick Ousborne and Thomas Keller.

"They are like family," she says.

The Ousbornes, a father-and-son team, and Keller say they try to comfort their patients in every way possible.

"We want to strive for excellence in dentistry and in customer service," says Patrick Ousborne, 38. "We try to make it a more positive experience rather than having people dread coming to the dentist."

When patients enter the office, there is no counter with a sign-in clipboard. Instead, someone comes out to greet them.

In the waiting room, patients are offered fresh-baked cookies, cappuccino, hot tea, water or juice. During the appointment, patients can use headphones for music, watch television or have a warming massage pad placed on the back of their chair.

And after the visit, patients are given a warm, scented towel to wash their face and hands. Lip balm and even wine with the Ousborne and Keller label may be handed out.

"A lot of patients are older, and this is sometimes the highlight of their day," says Albert Ousborne, who has been in practice 40 years. "It all comes down to making people feel that it's going to be a positive experience. If we are running more than 10 minutes late, we give out gifts as a way of saying, 'we respect your time.'"

Dulny, who says she enjoys the fresh-baked cookies, adds that all the amenities make a difference. "It shows me they are really trying to make me comfortable," she says.

Dentist Kimberly Baer, owner of Bethesda Dental Spa, says she did a lot of research before opening a full-service spa as part of her dental practice last fall.

"We got into it from a relaxation standpoint," Baer says. "We found that if we gave our patients a massage, the anesthetic worked better and lasted longer. We've had a really great response."