News Summary
Dr. Mojdeh Shayestehfar, known as ‘Dr. Shay’, has revolutionized patient care by integrating therapy dogs into Linden Dental Care in Beverly Hills. This innovative initiative aims to alleviate patients’ anxiety during dental visits, especially for those with dental phobias. The calming presence of therapy dogs, such as Dr. Shay’s labradoodle, Softie, has significantly improved the patient experience. With a focus on aesthetic dentistry and patient comfort, Dr. Shay’s unique approach highlights the evolving landscape of healthcare where psychological support plays a crucial role.
Beverly Hills – In an innovative approach to patient care, Dr. Mojdeh Shayestehfar, known as “Dr. Shay,” has integrated therapy dogs into her dental practice, Linden Dental Care. This initiative aims to reduce patient anxiety, making dental visits more pleasant. The introduction of these therapy dogs has transformed the patient experience, particularly for those with significant dental phobias.
Dr. Shay opened Linden Dental Care in 2013 and noted the calming effect of her labradoodle, Softie, when she brought him into the office during the puppy’s potty training. Observing Softie’s ability to soothe even the most anxious patients, despite their use of oral sedation and Xanax, motivated Dr. Shay to incorporate therapy dogs into her practice officially.
Dr. Shay’s journey into dentistry stems from her personal experiences. Growing up in Iran, she endured a traumatic dental visit that shaped her understanding of patient comfort. Upon moving to the U.S. at 17, she began her career as a dental assistant on a marine base, fostering her passion for the field. After completing her education at UCLA, where she was part of the first dental class with an equal gender ratio, she further honed her skills with a year of hospital dentistry and a three-year Prosthodontics program. She subsequently served as an adjunct professor before opening her Beverly Hills practice with no initial patients.
In her early days as a practice owner, Dr. Shay utilized a creative marketing strategy, baking chocolate chip cookies and delivering them to her patients’ workplaces to attract clientele. She adopted Softie a year later, which dramatically improved the comfort level and interactions with her patients. Many patients enter the practice with fears stemming from previous experiences, financial concerns, and anxiety about being in close contact with healthcare providers.
To counteract these fears, Dr. Shay designed her office to resemble a welcoming home rather than a clinical setting. The office features vibrant artwork and plush seating, complemented by a stocked bar, to foster a relaxed atmosphere. Despite initial apprehensions from colleagues about potential OSHA regulation violations regarding therapy dogs, Dr. Shay confirmed that there were no prohibitions against their presence in the office environment.
Alongside Softie, who is now 12 years old and adept at sensing patient discomfort, a second therapy dog named Parker was introduced six years later to assist with patient care during longer procedures. This duo enhances Dr. Shay’s approach to addressing patient anxiety and improving the overall experience in her office.
Dr. Shay specializes in aesthetic dentistry, taking on complex cases that general dentists may not manage, such as full-mouth reconstructions and implants. In addition to traditional dental services, her practice also provides neurotoxin and dermal filler treatments, integrating cosmetic dentistry into her offerings. This comprehensive approach appeals to patients looking for both oral health and aesthetic improvements.
Looking to the future, Dr. Shay anticipates that technological advancements and artificial intelligence, particularly in the realm of 3D printing, will significantly influence the field of dentistry. She believes her strengths as a dentist stem from her perfectionism, aesthetic sensitivity, and patience. These traits are particularly beneficial in understanding and addressing her patients’ unique needs.
Furthermore, Dr. Shay is a proponent of the idea that women contribute a distinct perspective to the fields of medicine and dentistry, emphasizing the importance of empathy and communication in patient care. The integration of therapy dogs into her dental practice not only reflects a commitment to patient comfort but also highlights the evolving landscape of healthcare, where understanding and psychological support are increasingly recognized as essential components of treatment.
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Additional Resources
- L.A. Magazine: Linden Dental Care and Dr. Mojdeh Shayestehfar
- Wikipedia: Dental Anxiety
- Vanity Fair: Dune – 1993
- Google Search: Therapy Dogs in Healthcare
- Google Scholar: Pet Therapy in Dental Care
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dentistry
