VIDA DENTAL STUDIO Not Your Typical Dental Office

By Anya Sebastian

The sound of laughter is not something one normally associates with dentists’ offices, but at Vida Dental Studio it is a regular occurrence. And that is just one of the things that makes this place different from the norm.

“People make a lot of assumptions about what to expect when they go to the dentist,” says Dr. Devin Giron, who opened his Santa Fe practice about five years ago. “Let’s just say it’s not something people typically look forward to. Our goal at Vida Dental is to transform those expectations.”

That goal defines what patients experience from the moment they walk through the door. The atmosphere is both welcoming and informal, and the studio clearly operates as a team, with everyone working together to provide the best possible outcome. “It all starts with communication,” explains Dr. Giron, “making people feel at ease and building relationships. Everyone here knows and understands that, because that’s how the whole place operates.”

It was the combination of art and science that first attracted Dr. Giron to the world of dentistry. Born and raised in New Mexico, he wanted a profession that was both aesthetically satisfying and analytically challenging. He also enjoyed working with his hands—woodworking was a favorite pastime— and dentistry seemed to offer the perfect blend.

After graduating from UNM, Dr. Giron spent some time working with a dental practice in Albuquerque before moving on to the health department in Isleta Pueblo, where he stayed for about six years. It was there that he met Dr. Galen Detrik, the dentist who is now his professional partner. He had an office in Albuquerque at the time and had volunteered to come to the pueblo to fill in for someone. The two became friends and subsequently discovered that they shared similar ideas about dentistry and how it should be practiced.

“The fact is that dentistry has been done the same way for a very long time,” explains Dr. Detrik, “and it doesn’t have to be done that way. It’s common practice for dentists to decide how they want to deal with a particular issue, without giving patients a choice. We like to tell them what options are available, go over the pros and cons of each one, and then talk about which one would be the best fit for that particular individual. In other words, it’s collaborative, and if the client finally opts for something we can’t provide, we know someone who can.”

The studio is well equipped with all the latest technology, from state-of-the art dental X-ray sensors, to scanners and cutting-edge guides for implants. “Most people accept that dental wear and tear is something to be expected as the years go by,” points out Dr. Giron, “just as they think it’s normal to put on weight as they get older; but that really isn’t the case. Being proactive, instead of reactive, can really make a difference and changing people’s perception of themselves is something I find really gratifying.”

Dr. Detrik clearly agrees. “The mouth is the gateway to the body,” he points out. “Healthy mouth, healthy body, and instead of buying a new car or taking a luxury vacation, the best thing you can do is invest in your health. What I hear most often from patients who have undergone some kind of transformative procedure is that they only wish they had done it sooner. People who have avoided smiling are suddenly being told they have a pretty smile, and being able to change people’s lives like that really is a privilege.” Vida Dental Studio