Creating a high-tech boutique experience

From an early age, Dr. Bamashmous (on the left in the above image) harboured a fascination with technology and electronics. This passion not only shaped his interests but also influenced his career path.

“You could say I’m a bit of a technology geek. But I’m also very into arts and handicrafts. I love dentistry because it combines these aspects,” Dr. Bamashmous tells.

After starting his dental studies in his native Saudi Arabia, Dr. Bamashmous continued his education in the United States – at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He studied extensively at the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and became an American Board Certified orthodontist and public health dentist.

Fusing art and science

Since returning to Saudi Arabia over 15 years ago, Dr. Bamashmous has been a staff member at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Dental Public Health department and as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry. But the high points of his life extend beyond academia.

“I am also the proud father of a wonderful son named Adam,” Dr. Bamashmous keenly adds.

More recently, he brought to life AQUA Dent Clinics – a brand-new dental practice that was carefully built from the ground up in 2021. It was inspired by his vision of fusing the art and science of dentistry into a complete boutique experience. In addition to being the co-founder, Dr. Bamashmous works as an orthodontist at the clinic.

“AQUA Dent Clinics is more than a dental practice – we have a holistic approach. The design and the ambiance are relaxing. A visit to our clinic feels less like a dental appointment and more like a wellness experience,” he elaborates.

AQUA Dent Clinics stands as an oasis of calm in the bustling urban area of Jeddah and offers a soothing escape from the busy surroundings. The azure waves of the Red Sea can be seen from the clinic’s windows.

“During breaks, I can take a walk by the sea. The building itself is a business building. I have lived in Boston and San Francisco before and always loved the experience of entering a luxury tower. It’s a different type of vibe and an aspect I fell in love with,” Dr. Bamashmous says.

Of course, the treatments themselves are a central part of the entire patient experience. The clinic offers a wide range of treatments, from cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics to periodontics and endodontic surgeries. The overall concept is geared towards comprehensive care that is beyond a need to fix a single urgent issue.

“Our patients are generally not emergency patients. We do also see emergencies, but usually our patients come in for holistic full treatments and want them done right. I would consider us to be top level in dentistry. We are world class. Our patients can get all kinds of treatments at the best quality available anywhere,” Dr. Bamashmous illuminates.

Everything is integrated

Dr. Bamashmous’ passion for technology is evident everywhere at AQUA Dent Clinics. The high level of care provided there is bolstered by an impressive array of Planmeca equipment and software:

• Nine Planmeca Compact™ i5 dental units
• A Planmeca Viso® G7 CBCT imaging unit
• Four Planmeca ProX™ intraoral X-ray units
• Four Planmeca ProSensor® HD intraoral sensors
• A Planmeca ProScanner® 2.0 imaging plate scanner
• A Planmeca Emerald® S intraoral scanner
• A Planmeca PlanMill® 30 S milling unit
• A Planmeca Creo® C5 3D printer
• The Planmeca Romexis® dental software platform

“My first encounter with Planmeca was in 2005 during my studies in the United States. I had an incredibly positive experience using a Planmeca panoramic and cephalometric imaging unit. Even back then software was a big part of the overall experience,” Dr. Bamashmous recounts.

Fast-forward nearly two decades, and software remains at the heart of the Planmeca experience. The Romexis software seamlessly integrates all equipment, creating a unified platform.

“Romexis is very easy and user friendly. And the software always complements the hardware. The best part about it? It is all-in-one. You can do nearly everything within one software. It’s beneficial to have everything centralised in one place,” Dr. Bamashmous describes.

AQUA Dent clinics has a grand total of nine Planmeca Compact i5 dental units. In addition to their other qualities, it is important that the units utilise space in an efficient manner and fully live up to their name.

“One of the best features of the Planmeca Compact i5 is its size. It is very compact indeed. We often also receive compliments for how comfortable the patient chair is,” Dr. Bamashmous says.

“The technology is all-in-one, so you don’t need external devices – you can do everything directly from the unit itself. Everything is integrated.”

This integration extends to the Planmeca Emerald S intraoral scanner. It can be plugged directly into any of the Planmeca dental units and used just like any other instrument.

“The Planmeca Emerald S is very easy to use and became much faster especially with the most recent update. I mainly use it for orthodontic cases,” Dr. Bamashmous tells.

The high-level specialist clinic also takes advantage of the latest innovations in imaging. With excellent options for both intraoral and extraoral imaging, the clinic can cater to a wide range of imaging requirements and acquire exactly the right type of image for each need, case, and situation.

“We use the Planmeca Viso G7 a lot. The images are second to none. I can’t wait for the new software release. I expect it to further unlock the unit’s imaging potential with AI tools that support diagnostics and surgical planning,” Dr. Bamashmous states.

The topic of radiation can be a sensitive one in X-ray imaging. Fortunately, technologies such as the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol allow clinicians to capture high-quality images at doses that have been scientifically proven to be responsible and safe.

“Very, very, very, very rarely a patient might show concern regarding X-ray imaging. We then explain to them that we always have the option to take a Planmeca Ultra Low Dose image, which has a lower dose than any traditional X-ray image – or even lower than the radiation exposure from flying on an airplane,” Dr. Bamashmous explains.

Given his deep interest in technology, it comes as no surprise that Dr Bamashmous has familiarised himself with all the software and hardware at his clinic. He also points that clear documentation helps to better understand the technology.

“Whenever I get new software or equipment, I usually explore its features and functionalities. If there is a manual, I’ll go through it as well. Planmeca does a really good job with its technical and software manuals,” Dr. Bamashmous states.

Expanding dentistry

The dental field in Saudi Arabia has expanded significantly over the years, with the public and private sectors both advancing at a fast rate.

“The field of dentistry is very diverse in Saudi Arabia. It is rapidly evolving in the country with specialised care expanding and the use of technology growing,” Dr. Bamashmous explains.

Among the increased offering in the country, Dr. Bamashmous and AQUA Dent Clinics stand out with their special overall concept and use of advanced technology. The clinic has quickly transformed the idea of what a visit to the dentist is like.

“Dentistry is often associated with stress and pain, but already during my studies I thought about someday combining dentistry with a spa experience. Creating a comfortable environment in a great location. A place where even employees are excited to go to. It took time to achieve this vision, but it happened.”

Copy: Daniel Purssila
Images: Courtesy of AQUA Dent Clinics