The last thing you want to see when you walk into a dentist’s office for your first appointment is an antique dental chair that would look more appropriate on the Green Mile, and a milk glass dental tray prominently displaying a two-pound molar extractor.

Believe us when we say these “old school” dental offices still exist — even here in Seattle and Bellevue — and while some dentists might call them “quaint,” we prefer the term “painfully outmoded,” with an emphasis on the word “painful.”

It’s just like visiting someone’s home for the first time. Initial impressions are important. When you walk in, does the office staff display a professional demeanor? Is the waiting area clean with comfortable, updated furniture and a selection of interesting — and recent — magazines?

Upgrading was at the top of our priorities when we moved to our current facilities, tossing out the old and embracing the new technologies that have emerged in just the last few years in the dental field. Our move was the perfect time to upgrade all of our  technology and equipment. Because, we can tell you it’s no walk in the park keeping up with all the innovations in dentistry when you’re practicing in the office full time.

We began our efforts by upgrading to digital radiographs — one of the most important diagnostic tools in dentistry. With the press of a button we can see between teeth, above teeth and look at the jaw — all without having to use film. What that means is no more lead, no more paper, no more chemicals to develop the films, and no more pollution.

In addition, we added a new vacuum system that has an amalgam separator that removes any pollutants from the dental materials we use. Once these are separated, we ship them off to an environmental friendly disposal facility. If that makes us tree-huggers, then so be it.

New vibrating dental chairs were installed in the hygiene department, adding to the comfort of our patients. Next time you’re here, ask your Spektor dental hygienist to give you a demonstration!

What really got a huge makeover was our computer tech system. Thanks to our technical wizards — Marcus, Christy and Leah — we have a state-of-the-art entertainment and education delivery station in each room. We also have music, TV and videos available for every patient.

We’re really trying to become a paperless office, but alas, Dr. Wendy is having a difficult time with this conversion. As a result, we continue to support her love of tactile communication by snail-mailing our custom patient information cards.

Another advanced technique that we’re employing is Diagnodent, a laser light system that accurately measures the depth of beginning cavities. We measure the relative amount of decay under old fillings and new teeth by simply holding the light over a tooth. From the information we extract, we receive a base line number that we can reexamine during your next visit or resolve while you’re already here.

Whether yours is an initial visit or you’re scheduled for routine preventive maintenance, we use the latest advances in technology, coupled along with with our dental knowhow, and always perform an oral health and a cancer-screening exam — what we call an enhanced oral examination. Among our new equipment is an Identafi light that improves our ability to detect soft-tissue abnormalities by enhancing the visualization of any suspicious areas. If necessary, a soft-tissue biopsy can be performed, but the Identafi system is a non-intrusive means of providing better screening in advance of problems.

And, of course, our staff is constantly attending education classes, seminars and lectures, all with the goal of improving our ability to best serve you. Stop by and scout us out before you commit to an initial appointment. We’re that confident you’ll like what you see.