Soothing the Senses to Improve the Patient Experience How dental office design can improve dental care for people with special health care needs When Dr. Alison Sigal designed her pediatric dental office, she wanted her patients, many of whom have special health care needs, to feel as calm and comfortable as possible. “In Holland in the 1970s, an idea emerged that an environment that interacts positively with the five senses and that an individual can control might help ease stress and anxiety,” says Dr. Sigal. “Think about how you feel when you walk in a forest. As you smell the fresh air, hear the birds chirping, feel a cool breeze, the environment impacts you on both a subconscious and conscious level.” Dr. Alison Sigal is a pediatric dentist and founder of Little Bird PediatricDentistry in Milton, Ontario. Patient relaxing in a noise‑canceling sound shell chair. 16 | 2023 | Issue 2
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