Dental wellness studio in Cambridge offers dental hygiene treatments without the need to see a dentist first

The UK’s first ‘dental wellness studio’ has opened in Cambridge - offering dental hygiene treatments without the need to see a dentist first.

Well:o, in Station Place, in the CB1 area near Cambridge railway station, says it is offering expert, preventive oral health care at a time when access to NHS dentistry is challenging for many, amid long waiting lists.

Out of 50 NHS dental practices within a 14-mile radius of CB1, 44 were accepting no new adult patients at of the start of November.

Founder Felix von Nathusius told the Cambridge Independent: “Essentially, we offer dental hygiene treatments, without the need to see a dentist first. We're in a super convenient location, our prices are standardised and transparent, our studio feels a bit like a spa, and we have an amazing team of dental hygienists and nurses, empowered to lead treatment.

“Every hygiene treatment uses best-in-class technology: Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) and Airflow. It means treatments are highly effective but also comfortable. We also talk patients through every step of the process, so they leave knowing more about how to look after their teeth.”

And the initial reaction has been a positive one, he said.

“We couldn't have hoped for a warmer welcome to Cambridge. We've had a busy first few weeks, and the most wonderful and encouraging feedback from our patients. We're particularly proud that patients who don't look forward to dental appointments have said they felt calm and confident during their well:o treatment, and actually found it enjoyable.

“We get a lot of praise for the thoroughness and care of our brilliant hygienists and nurses, and also a lot of love for the Airflow machine,” said Felix.

The General Dental Council authorised direct access to dental hygienists and dental therapists a decade ago. Previously, they operated under the prescription of a dentist. But Well:o is the only branded player to really exploit this change.

And following its launch in Cambridge, it has big plans to expand.

In the city, it aims to provide 10,000 treatments a year to 5,000 to 7000 patients. It wants to launch a second studio within six months, before a national roll-out over the next five years.

“By step-changing levels of access to expert dental care we aim to transform the nation’s oral health,” says Well:o.

Felix believes the time is right for the launch.

“As a population, we've never cared more about feeling well,” he observes. “McKinsey research shows that over half of the UK are prioritising wellness more than they did a few years ago. But for lots of people, oral care is still a chore — and many aren't doing simple things like flossing, which is so important.

“As more and more evidence shows the role that oral health plays in our overall health - with studies showing that the health of our mouth is linked to our heart, immune system, mind, and gut health - we felt it was time to bring dental care into the wellness age. We want to make dental wellness as desirable and enjoyable as all the other things we do to take care of ourselves.

“Secondly, declining levels of NHS dentistry mean that many patients are unable to access the dental check-ups or care that they need.

“The common answer to the dental access crisis is to increase the number of dentists serving the population. But we're convinced that more accessible preventive dental care is the key to lasting change.

“Central to this is the empowerment of dental hygienists and therapists to operate at their full scope of practice: which is what well:o exists to do. Since 2013 people can go directly to a dental hygienist without being referred by a dentist. We want to make more people aware of this, while making it really easy to do it.”

Visit https://wellohello.co.uk/ to find out more.