Especially in healthcare settings, such as a dentist’s office, it is essential to create a peaceful and serene environment to keep patients comfortable and children calm. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Indeed, it is a universal phenomenon but, an opportunity to imagine better ideas to serve this demographic.
Creating a relaxed environment as well as having toys, books, and other calming activities for kids of all ages will help them recover from the stress of seeing the dentist.
Make sure to also have plenty of water for everyone and make sure your office is stocked up with healthy snacks like nuts (but never peanuts), seeds, fruit slices, dried fruit, and vegetables. Providing plenty of healthy snacks like fruit slices will help patients feel better after the visit. Fruit is always best eaten raw (when possible) because it contains more digestive enzymes.
Children love having their own little garden growing on a windowsill or in a pot. It’s something for them to take care of each time they visit, and it also teaches them about responsibility. Growing their own food is really empowering, and it’s something that they will never forget.
Mint is a great choice; it’s easy to grow and hard to kill! It has an amazing ability to detroy bad breath bacteria and reduce gingivitis. It also contains a compound called perillyl alcohol which prevents cancer from growing in the mouth, so it is especially important to introduce to younger patients who have yet to start their lifelong journey of oral hygiene habits.
Here is a quick reference list of things to consider when creating a relaxing, serene atmosphere:
- A fresh aroma from scented candles or oil diffusers.
- Soft natural lighting from lamps and/or sunlight filtered through blinds instead of bright fluorescent lights.
- Gentle background music with soothing instruments such as piano, strings, or a choir.
- A quiet, peaceful setting with only the noise of quiet machinery.
- Easy to read text such as large print books and simple wall art which does not contain too much color.
- Soft chairs and couches for seating.
When creating a space that will help patients or children relax it is important to keep safety in mind as well. All sharp objects such as needles should be out of reach and edges should be covered to avoid cuts.
The area should also be clean and free of dust and debris to avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses, especially when there are multiple patients in a single room or daycare facility. A clutter-free zone is also beneficial to keep the space clean and organized.
In a medical setting, the most important aspect of making a space as serene as possible is to make sure that no patient feels alone or abandoned in their treatment procedures. Personal TVs with headphones allow patients to enjoy their favorite shows from home while they relax and wait for their turn in the dental chair. If possible, allowing pets into a clinic or dentist’s office can be beneficial to comfort children and patients.
How to maintain peaceful environment
Make sure you stock up on some healthy spices like cinnamon too! Not only is it extremely tasty and smells wonderful, but it also kills bacteria and can help reduce inflammation.
Other than foods, creating a peaceful environment for patients starts with finding a dentist that they like and feel comfortable with. To help them feel more comfortable, placing natural items in the office like plants and paintings of natural landscapes can have a calming effect.
Additionally, you can create a peaceful environment by having calm music playing when your patients walk into the office. This is no time to play Taylor Swift! Make it more of a spa visit with relaxing natural sounds like ocean waves, birds chirping, and soft voices.
Besides being calming, fresh flowers have a very powerful effect on our sense of smell which can be influential even to immune response. That’s why it’s so important to have them in your office.
And, of course, you can’t forget to have plenty of educational books for kids along with age-appropriate toys. This gives your patients something fun to do while they wait for their turn in the dental chair. The less stress they have, the better! Even if it’s just a picture book or two, having them stocked up will do the trick.
But the most important part of creating a peaceful and serene environment is having dentists who understand how to talk to children and make them feel comfortable talking about sensitive topics like teeth brushing and flossing. Let them know that it’s okay if they don’t want to answer any questions (especially those related to pain) and that they’re not in trouble.
Importance of peaceful environment
The importance of a peaceful setting is twofold. Firstly, it is an extremely calming environment for children to be in and can help reduce anxiety. Secondly, it helps set up healthy habits which will benefit the patient throughout their life.
Adult patients will appreciate the calmness as well because it’s all about the experience. If it’s a positive one, they’re more likely to want to come back!
A 2014 study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine found that people who were exposed to lavender oil before an experiment felt more relaxed than those who weren’t. The researchers also found that even the memory of lavender was enough for participants to feel less anxious.
You can use lavender essential oil in your office, or even lavender plants if you have a green thumb!
Turmeric is a spice that has a lot of health benefits. It’s been used in India for at least 4,000 years to cure everything from flatulence to depression. Traditionally, it was used as an antiseptic to clean out wounds, but recently has been found to have antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory effects. And, as with many spices, it contains high levels of antioxidants.
Spices are full of healthy antioxidants and many other benefits. So give your patients the gift of flavourful spices when you open up your office by putting some in jars or crocks for them to enjoy during their visit.
The importance of spices in the dental office is twofold. They can be used to flavor foods and beverages, which not only adds healthy nutrients but also makes them tastier!
Secondly, the act of cooking with spices encourages patients to create healthier diets by encouraging them to cook more often. This can help maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
How do I keep my house calm and peaceful?
- Clear the clutter
- Keep surfaces clear
- Keep wall décor simple
- Display things you love
- Embrace white space
- Opt for hidden storage
- Choose neutral colors
- Let the light in
- Layer the lighting
- Go green with house palnts
- Let things flow
- Clutter free cozy
- Rest the space regularly
When at home, if you have a garden, or even just a few plants indoors, you can provide your children with fresh mint leaves to chew on after their dental visit. Mint also enhances the taste of fruits, so it makes them taste better and again, it kills bad breath, reduces gingivitis and can prevent cancer from growing in the mouth.