How The Dental Design Studio is using virtual reality to take dental care into new territory
The Dental Design Studio is the first dental group to enter the metaverse; building virtual practices that will provide an all-new range of innovative healthcare services
May 2022
The Dental Design Studio is changing dental care forever by becoming the first brand to take dentistry into the metaverse.
Inside this incredible dental metaverse, patients will sit in the dentist chair, communicate with staff, attend virtual treatments, take part in consultations and view dental hygiene videos.
Users create their own avatars to navigate the world – taking advantage of digital items on offer to customise exactly how they look right down to the appearance of their teeth.
Within the metaverse, regional surgeries open up to international audiences – attracting higher numbers of visitors and increased channels of income via the NFT marketplace.
Virtual dentistry also offers education opportunities – with capacity for dental courses and lectures to be delivered online.
The Dental Design Studio is the first dental practice group to explore the virtual world – reflecting the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation.
Originally launching in 2004, the multi-award-nominated dental group has practices from Lincolnshire to London all striving to offer smart, advanced services for patients and staff alike.
Co-founder Dr Jeff Sherer stated: “At The Dental Design Studio, we have always been interested in technology and have tried to innovate in any area that will benefit our patients.
“As people are increasingly starting to use the metaverse as a form of social interaction, we got the idea to create a group of dental practices in the metaverse – giving patients the chance to experience the dentist in a different way.
“Very nervous patients and children can now see what the dentist is like from the comfort of their own homes, preparing them for a future visit.
“Through the magic of virtual reality, they can sit in a dental chair and activate interactive content teaching them how to take care of their teeth in a better way.”
Dr Sherer also points out the benefits that dentists themselves can enjoy by opening surgeries in the metaverse.
“Dentists can create all kinds of brand awareness and advertising opportunities in this world,” he says.
“They can offer NFTs that provide membership perks in the real world such as free access to dental hygienists, or future perks in the metaverse like avatar accessories, price discounts or loyalty cards.”
The Dental Design Studio has become the first dentist to take the leap, but it’s anticipated that many more will follow.
“Ultimately, our focus at The Dental Design Studio has always been to reach and help more people,” Dr Sherer stated.
“Being able to take a tour of the practice and learn a bit more about dentistry will encourage phobic patients to familiarise themselves with the environment and ease their fears, making it more likely they will come in to get the treatment they need.”