Scented Memories

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Walking into my grandmother’s house, the smell of baked bread would often waft through the door. Even today, when I take a loaf of crusty bread from the oven, my mind flashes back to times sitting on a barstool at the kitchen counter, slathering butter and homemade jam over a warm, gooey slice.
Smells and memories are very much intertwined. The scent of a particular perfume may remind you of a Great-Aunt long gone, or the smell of a favorite dessert may remind you of a family event from childhood that meant very much to you. Smells can also trigger negative feelings and memories; perhaps the smell of burning rubber reminds you of the time your car broke down in the rain, on the way to an important meeting. Certainly the smell of a medical or dental office has its own unique memory association; perhaps the clinical smell of the waiting room or exam seats bring instant fears to the surface.
Because our goal at World of Smiles is to create a positive, warm, and inviting environment for children to become acclimated in, smell becomes a large factor in what we try to provide. Ensuring that we steer clear of that “dental office smell” which can trigger fearful memories in both children and their caregivers is a top priority. We are able to achieve a non-clinical type smell by avoiding certain dental products that foster that smell, and we use our favorite Scentsy warmers to provide a welcoming scent when our families walk in, usually of warm vanilla.

World of Smiles Launches New Acclimation Program!

Thursday, September 1, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

At World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry we are fortunate to work with families that have a wide range of needs. For our patients with special needs, including Autism, Downs Syndrome, and ADHD, we have developed an Acclimation Program.