GERMANY: Berlin dentist opens German capital's arguably hippest practice, and patients swear the trendy atmosphere makes the treatment hurt less

A Berlin dentist has recently opened what is arguably the German capital's hippest designer practice and his patients swear even the treatment hurts less because of the unique atmosphere. Most first-time visitors at Stephan Ziegler's "Ku64" practice on fashionable Kurfuerstendamm boulevard -- hence the name -- find it difficult to believe that they arrived in the right place. Not just the orange landscape with burgundy-coloured seats and bright spotlights make the waiting room look more like an airport business lounge. A fireplace, Internet access and a roof terrace invite patients to linger both before and after treatment. "The original plan was to create a sort of dune landscape to include the treatment rooms," dentist Stephan Ziegler told Reuters Television. "So far nobody noticed that but it still works well," he said with a chuckle. And, he added, "there is another effect: people feel comfortable because of the colours. Orange is a 'good mood' colour and above all, when you enter it doesn't have this typical dental practice atmosphere." "A lot of people who came the first time asked: am I right here? Is this a restaurant? Where is the dental practice? That's a question we love to hear," Ziegler said. He decided to put the 1.5 million euro (1.77 U.S. dollars) investment into the hands of internationally acclaimed German architects Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit of Graft Archticts with offices in Berlin, Beijing and Los Angeles. "Patients' requirements have increased and at the same time there is a healthy competition among doctors," architect Willemeit said. "I am confident that there will be a trend -- whatever it might look like. But I am sure there will be some very extravagant places in the future." Patients in this affluent part of Berlin seem to agree with the new concept. "Sure it hurts a little but less than elsewhere because I have less fear here. The atmosphere is very soothing," patient Gabriele Meyer said after her treatment. Her husband Lothar Meyer might soon become Ziegler's newest client. Seated near the fireplace, he said "I don't get the impression of being at the dentist's. The reception reminds me more of a hotel lobby than a dentist's practice and this makes me feel comfortable."

ITN Source | November 25, 2005

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