Press & Mentions
The Dog in the Dentist’s Chair, and Other Workplace Pets
Dr. Carlos J. Huerta started taking his rescue dog, Luna, to his Midtown dental office a couple of days a week so as not to leave her home alone. But she quickly proved adept at soothing anxious patients. “There’s several people who won’t make an appointment unless they know she’s going to be here,” Dr. Huerta said.
One recent Thursday, Kyle Rush sat down in the exam chair and Luna, a 3-year-old spaniel mix, hopped up in his lap. Dr. Huerta reclined the chair and Luna stretched out along Mr. Rush’s legs.
Meet the Best Young Dentists in America
WHY HE WAS NOMINATED: Dr. Huerta’s approach is to manage patients’ comfort before treating them. He does so in a luxurious Manhattan practice in which patients are invited to enjoy refreshments at an iPad bar before moving on to an operatory where they can choose their own music. He also gives out high-end lotions and lip balms.
INSPIRATION: When Dr. Huerta, who grew up in Oklahoma, was in eighth grade, he was asked to research potential careers, and chose architecture and dentistry. “I realized that dentistry is much like architecture, but adding the human element and medicine to it,” he says. “I knew then that I wanted to become a dentist.”
Dentists Offer Free Wine to Take the Edge Off Visits
MANHATTAN — Care for a riesling with your root canal? New York City dentists across Manhattan have been serving up complimentary glasses of wine to patients to take the edge off dreaded dental work, DNAinfo New York has learned.
Other dentists who also offer their customers free wine before appointments include The Dental Boutique at 151 West 30th St., and Park South Dentistry at 30 Central Park South, according to staff and online reviews.
Why Chewing Gum is Important for a Great Smile
Hate flossing, but still want a commercial-worthy smile? You have probably wondered "Is chewing gum better than flossing?" I reached out to two dentists to find out the truth. If you follow their advice, your smile will be healthy and bright in no time.
"I believe chewing sugarless gum is good, especially after meals when someone doesn’t have the chance to brush and floss," says Carlos J. Huerta, DMD at Dental Boutique NYC, "but it is definitely not a substitute for flossing." Womp.
The Power of Pet Therapy in the Workplace
Ever wonder what pets do when they’re at the workplace? A typical day for Luna with Dr. Carlos J.Huerta, DMD, owner of The Dental Boutique in NYC, means snuggling with patients and enticing them to play fetch with her favorite toys while they wait, so that everyone is happy by the time they reach the treatment room. “Luna has become an intrinsic part of treatment at The Dental Boutique. During treatment, she lies down in the patient’s lap, and doesn’t move until the end of the appointment, undisturbed by the sounds of dentistry. She knows when the x-ray apron comes out that she must leave the room, and returns when she hears it being put away,” adds Dr. Huerta.
Dental Dogs Soothe Patients in Manhattan
There have long been therapy dogs in healthcare, but recently they have also entered the dentist's office. Something that makes it easier for both the patient and the dentist, research shows.
In the US, dentist dogs have existed for a while - and one of them that goes to work in Manhattan every day is the mixed breed dog Luna.
Luna greets me and patient Jodi Doff in the dentist's waiting room. Luna is a small calm mixed breed dog with very soft fur. She is a rehoming dog now owned by dentist Carlos J Huerta. At first he only brought her so she wouldn't be alone at home, but he soon realized her calming effect on the patients. Especially when she jumped up in the chair and lay on their lap during the treatment. And she is not disturbed by the sound of the dentist's drill. And the security she provides makes his work easier and makes patients less anxious.
Delta Dental Office Design
We scoured the web for America’s most immaculate, mind-blowing dental office designs. From posh to playful, these practices will make you want to visit the dentist monthly. Our top 5 picks feature offices perfect for every age and personality. And if you are a Delta Dental member, these offices are all in-network! Find your dentist office design dream below:
FOR SPA ADDICTS - The Dental Boutique NYC is the ultimate spa for your smile. The traditional tools and dental decor take a backseat to massage chairs, comfort-focused treatment rooms, and 5-star beverage bars.
2022’s Best Dental Dog, Luna!
The Dental Boutique’s resident therapy dog, Luna, came through happenstance. I adopted her as a six-month-old puppy in November 2014. I had her at the office as part of house training, but in the process, we had a moment that sealed her position in patient comfort management. One of Luna’s days in the office, a patient hovered by the entrance after pushing open the door. Luna came around the corner to see her, and we heard a big sigh of relief. Our lovely visitor had not been to a dental appointment for over ten years, and in the previous three months had been to five practices, unable to get past the door.
With Luna, she was able to fill out forms and have a full set of x-rays, an exam, and a cleaning.
Dr. Carlos J. Huerta, The Dental Boutique, New York, New York
PABLO PICASSO once described the process of making art as “washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Dr. Carlos J. Huerta, as much an artist with dentistry as Picasso was with paint or clay, uses artwork to “elevate the overall patient experience and ease anxiety,” as he puts it. His 1,239-square-foot Manhattan practice, the Dental Boutique, certainly delivers. The centerpiece is the striking 30-shelf art installation of dental casts, visible through the wide glass door at the practice’s entrance.
“Each is a cast of one of my friends in silver or gold, surrounding my own dental cast encrusted in Swarovski crystals,” Dr. Huerta says. The “waiting lounge,” as he calls it, is chockablock with compelling pieces as well, notably a life-size pig by the Dutch design company Moooi.
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