Historically, my approach to getting professional dental care has been, umm.. how shall I say, episodic. Indeed after a long hiatus recently I finally checked myself in at Del Ray dentist Dr. Stone. Maybe I’m a late local adopter on this one but after two visits, I’m a believer (my wife and kids were already in that camp…vastly superior dental citizens that they are).
You know the outfit. You’ve noticed the office next to the Farmers Market lot a million times. And if you’re like me, you might have attached some vague question mark to it… something about a dentist office in what should be a house (circa 1970’s) right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. I don’t know exactly what I I envisioned inside that nondescript, pressed stone wonder. But whatever it was, remarkable was not on the imagined adjective list.
But worthy of remark it is. Dr. Stone’s outfit runs like a top and makes for a great spot to take care of a not great necessity, episodically or no. Why? First, there’s the exception to the rule that all medically related waiting rooms must be dull and full of out of date magazines. Enter the world of Stone and you’re greeted by foot massagers, comfy sofas, a big TV, soothing water features, bottled waters, cookies, plenty of mags (recent too) and lots of space. I found myself wanting to tarry a few and just tune out, a rare bit of solo time in hand. Funny thing is, so far I’ve found the fab waiting room to be something of a head fake… the place is running so briskly that they’re whisking you back for dental fun before your backside hits the chair.
On your way back you pass lots of big pictures of happy folks, with pretty smiles. A suitable warm up for what seems like an endless row of immaculate dental repair bays with what look like happy hygienists and patients in each. The room I landed in was clean and bright, with yet another TV playing the morning news (or whatever else I wanted) and was outfitted with a computer station (of course, dental software). Everywhere I turned while in one of those laid back chairs it seemed there was a helpful placard or tip detailing how I could overcome my various dental failings.
As for the people, they live up to the vibe of the rest of the place. My hygeniest was energetic and incredibly friendly with lots of improvement tips and general encouragements that yes, hope remained for a brighter dental future. The guy with his name on the building is immaculately put together and looks the picture of health and work-life balance. Wearing a golf shirt that seems to say, “yeah I play a lot of golf, but given how well this joint is running, you see anything more time at work could improve?”, he gives you a focused greeting complete with the practiced eye contact and handshake (with presidential forearm touch) of a seasoned politician. Their various roles and responsibilities seem expertly rehearsed with each telling you ahead of time what the other is about to do, why they’re doing it and why it’s a good thing.
The whole place is just so pulled together and polished, it’s almost scary in a Pleasantville/Truman Show kind of way. But in the end, it’s your choppers we’re talking about here. Typically a topic for misgivings, discomfort and neglect. But in the surprising world of Stone, not so fearsome after all…. almost, and oddly, welcoming.
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Filed under: Healthcare Tagged: | alexandria, del ray, Dentist, dr. stone, family dental
