Sutra Dental Spa Mixes Necessity with Luxury

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Knowing a visit to the dentist inspires anxiety for most, Dr. Jimmy Wu and his staff at Sutra Dental Spa in La Mesa are re-innovating the concept of dentistry.

Long gone is the sound of the impending drill and the discomfort of cold instruments. Instead of a crowded, fluorescent-hued office, typical to any dentist's office, Sutra Dental Spa offers a relaxing environment, complete with aromatherapy pillows and tranquil water fountains.

Combining the Taoist philosophy of balance and harmony with the health benefits of holistic dentistry, Dr. Wu re-introduces a trip to the dentist in San Diego. The Sutra difference is evident upon entry: ambient music, dim lighting, and Asian design soothe. And, instead of traditional white uniforms, staff members wear dark Japanese inspired garb.

"We don't like to call it the waiting room," a receptionist says about the, well, waiting room. "We like to call it the Patient Lounge."

Lounge-like it is with complimentary drinks and even a Zen oxygen bar that offers soothing scents like vanilla, lavender, and eucalyptus.

After spending time in the lounge, a sliding door opens and invites the patient into the private check-in room. The patient is then led to the consultation room to meet with Dr. Wu and discuss the appointment.

Dr. Wu believes education is paramount for the patient, not only for his staff. In the consultation room, which holds a small table and chairs, Dr. Wu explains the complete procedure and illustrates the process with digital images and videos on a flat screen television.

At Sutra Dental Spa, patients have the advantage to ask Dr. Wu important last-minute questions and to express any fears. Creating a familiarity and trust between doctor and patient not often associated with dentistry, Sutra sets itself apart from the stereotypical San Diego dentist offices.

Customer service and exceptional patient care are Dr. Wu's personal and professional goals. Little luxuries like warming the anesthesia before administering, as well as hand massages from professional masseuse Bernadette McVey-Hally, whose six years of training provide moral support for nervous patients, are included in Dr. Wu's exquisite care.

The patient chairs are equipped with flat screen televisions that show exactly what the doctor and his assistants are doing. If not knowing or hearing is preferred, the patient has the option of sound-proof headphones and virtual reality movie goggles.

Sutra's private recovery room offers the patient additional massages from Bernadette. And if your appointment runs over the course of a day, the staff is more than happy to fetch you a meal. They even have a limousine service for those patients who may feel uncomfortable driving before or after major procedures.

Empathy and ambience aren't the only characteristics that make Dr. Wu's practice superior. Sutra Dental Spa only offers the best in dental technology. They use biocompatible materials, instead of metal, and use exclusively purified water, changed daily. Sutra offers a wide range of both cosmetic and health-related services, such as teeth-straightening technology, Invisalign, as well as routine teeth cleaning.

Dr. Wu received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from the University of Southern California, and a degree in biology with a minor in economics from the University of California at San Diego. He began his career in dentistry when he realized he wanted to work with people, while maintaining a position in the health field. When he entered a practice where the interior design did not match the advanced technology, he realized the patient's comfort is equally as important as the craft.

Sutra Dental Spa is quite the opposite of a typical San Diego dentist's office. With spacious design and vaulted ceilings, the claustrophobia vibe vanishes. "I didn't want my patients to feel like they were being trapped," Dr Wu says, and thus the design for the Sutra Dental Spa was born.

"Patients are blown away," Dr. Wu says, and it's easy to see why. With its unrivaled service standards and spa atmosphere, Sutra Dental Spa makes your next visit to the dentist a therapeutic and (gasp) enjoyable experience.

Photos by: Kevin Kauer