Aesthetik Choices

From the word go, Aesthetik Dental group practice Founder and Creator Victoria Viti had a vision to turn the typical surgery design and practice model on its head. Stern Weber dental chairs helped flesh out her ambitious vision.

By Danny Chan

The goal was to create a dento-facial practice within an environment so saturated with ambient comforts that the headspace of a patient would resemble that of a spa client. 

What seemed like a pipe dream to others made complete sense to the consummate dental visionary. Encouraged by her supportive husband, Viti founded Aesthetik Dental in 2018.

Four years on, that seed of an idea has sprouted four prime locations across Victoria state: Highland Shopping Centre, Eastland Shopping Centre, Chadstone Shopping Centre and Geelong Shopping Centre.

True to Viti’s vision, all the Aesthetik Dental branches share a common trademark: Habitats of relaxation, they offer the perfect respite from a busy life.

The chic shopping mall clinics are designed to viscerally transport you to a laidback French coastal town, the artistic inspiration behind Viti’s conceptual decor. All of them are ethereally calm spa-like spaces where floating music, mood lighting and soft sandalwood scents elevate the customer’s multi-sensory experience to sleep-inducing proportions. 

Marinating in the ambience, many pampered clients have commented forgetting that Aesthetik is at heart, an oral care establishment. 

Setting up dental chairs during COVID 

Before all that allure and dazzle could materialise however, Viti first had to deal with technical issues, which admittedly isn’t one of her fortes.  

The three new branches were set up amid the COVID-19 restrictions. One concern was being trapped with installation issues during a lockdown. In the end, it turned out to be a smooth setting-up phase, thanks to the technical team at Ivoclar. 

Viti purchased three units of the Stern Weber S200 and two S380 models from Ivoclar, who also supplies dental equipment. She found the dental chairs from Italian manufacturer Cefla, the perfect complement. 

She was most impressed that the Ivoclar team took the trouble to study their floor plans in detail, helping to map out individual chair locations.

“We had an architect who was unfamiliar with dental specifications and installation criteria. The Ivoclar team not only helped to guide him on technical matters but also gave great advice on patient flow – which was really important!”

The chairs also came with “dummy-proof” videos and tutorials that assisted with the whole set-up process. 

“As a non-techy person, I found the Stern Weber chairs straightforward to use and the set-up process explained itself.” 

Sleek units with sleep-worthy patient seats

Of course, the Stern Weber chairs also had to measure up to Viti’s overarching vision: Aesthetically pleasing; big on patient comfort and ergonomics; enhance cosmetic treatment delivery. 

“The sleek black upholstery and clean lines of the Italian chair design blends so well with our interiors,” she says.

“Customers love the memory foam seats. They go: wow, that was so comfortable I could almost sleep.”

Part of her treatment concept is to engage anxious patients in a non-threatening environment. She says the ability to begin the procedure just chatting with patients seated in an upright position is a huge advantage of the Stern Weber S380 design.

“As soon as the patient feels more comfortable,” she adds, “the chair design allows you to seamlessly transition them into a reclining position. 

“I like to make my patients feel 100% comfortable and relaxed at all times so this feature is truly remarkable.”

The ergonomic design of the chairs also takes into account operator comfort and instrument access. 

“The way the whole chair is positioned and structured, keeps every instrument and handpiece within easy reach,” she notes.

“The operator can easily work in all positions without having to reach over the patient.

“A lot of the features are touch-less, such as the footstool, which helps with infection control and manoeuvrability for both dentist and assistant.” 

Better to see your teeth with, my dear!

Among the outstanding chair elements that Viti has found integral to her aesthetic line of work is the Venus LED MCT (Multi Colour Temperature). 

The MCT feature offers three different colour temperature settings: 4300K warm light for surgical treatment; 5000K neutral light for conservative dentistry; and 5500K cool light for realistic colour capture.

“The light is such a critical item when you’re doing cosmetic work. You need the perfect light intensity and colour temperature to show the precise shade of the veneer,” she enthuses.

“It also helps to get the patient on board, to understand what we’re looking at. So the Venus LED lights have had a big effect on the quality of our restorations.”

Patient care ethos

In hindsight, the Practice Founder recalls having to entertain “quite a few” naysayers when she initially shared visions of her dream practice. 

“I didn’t want to think that I had a limited scope just because I was an oral health therapist operating in a field dominated by dentists,” she says.

“There were certainly limitations but that didn’t mean that I couldn’t start a dental practice with my own vision for patient care.”

That uncompromising stance on patient care, she says, is well supported by her choice of centrepiece equipment. 

“The secret to our success is to do the common thing uncommonly well,” Viti adds, emphasising her point with Aesthetik’s go-getting mantra.

“I’m happy to say the Stern Weber chairs certainly live up to our motto!”