The concept of a dental office as a spa is not new, but up to this point, it has really focused on creating a comforting and nurturing environment where patients feel positive things about their time at the dentist, want to come back, and want to tell about it. your friends about their experience; the essence of a strong inner brand message. But how about partnering with another personal service provider, like a massage therapist, nail technician, or hairstylist? When you think about it, “having someone’s fingers in my mouth is more personal than rubbing my toes,” according to my friend Robert.
This approach opens up a whole new range of possibilities for co-marketing, design and branding.
The idea of co-marketing services is not new. Stylists have done it for years with nail technicians and even with each other under the concept of stand rental. In recent years, many chiropractors have begun partnering with massage therapists to enhance the range of services they offer to their patients. So why shouldn’t a dentist partner with other personal service providers to build and market a spa? Especially if your niche is cosmetic dentistry? As I sit here writing this, I can imagine a warm and comforting spa where I regularly go to get a massage, get a manicure or pedicure, and have my teeth whitening or cleaning my teeth. If I’m a regular spa visitor for monthly massages, cleaning my teeth every six months becomes a part of the standard routine when I go for my month-long massage or facial.
Of course, the regulations that govern dental care and those that govern beauty salons and day spas are different, but these only present new opportunities to create innovative spaces that distinguish the jointly marketed spa from those that only perform dentistry or only provide day spa services. . The enhanced menu of services creates multiple revenue streams to offset overall construction and infrastructure costs, and the enriched customer base provides even more sources of referrals for new customers for every aspect of the business.
Perhaps an even more logical combination would be to create a medical spa.
A cosmetic dentist associated with a cosmetic surgeon at a medical spa could offer patients an even greater range of personal services to enhance their appearance. Just think, a patient can come in and have permanent makeup added to her eyes and make her smile light up at the same time.
Marketing and branding of the spa, regardless of whether it is a day spa or a medical spa, would be based on the comforts and increased physical well-being of the patient. Therefore, the traditional tensions and anxieties of a visit to the dentist would fade away. Dental offices are changing in the 21st century and the dental spa is an exciting trend that is emerging.