Press Release
October 2005 - The Peninsula Gateway
Warm towels, clean teeth at SoundBridge
Imagine going to the dentist and feeling like you are at a spa instead.
Open since Aug 1, SoundBridge Center for Dental Arts in Gig Harbor offers patients a "spa-like atmosphere rather than the medicinal feel," said Dr. Joe Simpson of SoundBridge. "Everyone gets a warm towel after their services."
Cutting edge technology meets quality dental care at the new office.
The office is equipped with technology such as all digital X-ray machines, electronic patient files and intra-oral cameras so patients can see before and after pictures of their teeth during their appointments.
"The pictures help add validity to what we do and make for an interactive, educational experience," Simpson said.
Digital film allows dentists and patients to see X-rays immediately, and with up to 90 percent less radiation than regular film x-rays, Simpson said. Digitization also means no processing film to throw away.
An electric drill makes much less noise than a conventional dentist's drill and vibrates less on the tooth. The quieter drill means less intimidation for patients, which align with the office's philosophy.
"We want a calm, serene, non-threatening atmosphere," Simpson said.
An open environment with windows still maintains patient privacy, as speakers play music in between each of the operating rooms. The office faces north, which offers the best light for shade-matching teeth and consistent lighting all day.
Dr. Karla Bloomquist, SoundBridge's other dentist, said they designed the office to serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Bloomquist and Simpson said they plan to stay in the area for a "long time" and wanted to enjoy coming to work everyday.
They also wanted their office to reflect the quality of their dentistry, Bloomquist said.
"You have to portray the environment how you practice," she said. "The care is as nice as the office. We don't want to forget the reason we are here."
The new technology is no good without skill, Simpson added.
"We are clinically sound along with all the showy stuff," he said.
Bloomquist and Simpson are both members of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dentist honor society. OKU accepts dentists graduating in the top 5 percent of their graduating classes, Simpson said.
Bloomquist and Simpson still want to expand their clientele. They are hoping an open house on Oct. 20 will help them do so.
The office will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. that Thursday for the public to explore the new facility. Industry representatives from Oral-B, Invisalign and GE will attend to answer questions and promote products. Oral-B will be giving away tooth-brushes and bleaching sets.
"We are trying to expand our scope and get our name our there," Bloomquist said.
Simpson agreed and noted the importance of a good personality match between patient and dentist.
"We don't want to pull patients away from their current dentists. We want to attract those who don't have dentists or are just moving to the area," Simpson said. The open house will allow people to determine if SoundBridge is a good match.
"It depends on matching personalities," Simpson said.
The dentists want personal interaction with their clients to make sure they perform their job thoroughly.
"We've had good reactions so far from patients, "Simpson said.
Bloomquist added that after she did a tongue cancer check on one man, he commented that a dentist had never done such a screening.
"There's the other side to us- the human side," Bloomquist said.
To promote healthy teeth, Simpson and Bloomquist are sponsoring a candy buyback. Though they haven't yet decided on compensation, kids who bring candy into the office after Halloween will receive a monetary compensation for every pound of candy.
Brand new technology helps the dentists provide quality care. Bloomquist and Simpson said they plan to keep up on technology with continuing education courses.
"We'll upgrade constantly and patients will benefit from that, Simpson said.
Joseph M Simpson DDS and Karla M Bloomquist DDS - Providing services in cosmetic and restorative dentistry; including smile makeovers and sedation dentistry to areas of Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton and Tacoma, Washington.
Gig Harbor Dentistry
© copyright 2005-2008, Drs. Simpson & Bloomquist, DDS - Soundbridge Dental Arts, all rights reserved
