Care For Your Teeth With Ease
I designed an ecosystem to alleviate dental anxiety by integrating pre-visit preparation, real-time communication, and immersive mixed reality. I led the design through research, iteration, and prototyping, thinking outside the box to explore both practical and speculative solutions.
TYPE
TIMELINE
MY ROLE
TOOLS
Digital Healthcare
MR Device
B2C Product
September 2023 —
May 2024
Product Designer
— User Research,
Visual Design, Prototyping
Figma & Figjam
Adobe CC
Protopie
Relaxa: A Comprehensive System for Reducing Dental Anxiety
Relaxa represents my approach to transforming the dental experience for anxious patients and improving communication for dental professionals. It includes three key solutions: the Nibble app, the Relaxa Curve alert bell, and MR Goggles, each designed to enhance different stages of the dental visit.
Simple, Everyday Solution
Nibble: An app designed to enhance the dental appointment experience and streamline aftercare.
Physical, cost-effective
A communication tool that allows patients to signal discomfort or anxiety during dental procedures.
Speculative
MR Goggles: Immersive mixed reality goggles designed to distract and calm patients during treatments.
Transforming experience for 200+ patients a day
Collaborated with Healthy Dental Clinic to implement the initial rollout of the Relaxa System, improving the dental experience for over 200 patients daily. The project received recognition as an award-winning design and was presented with AIGA NY.
Over 75% adults have anxiety visiting the dentist*
*According to a 2022 report from the National Library of Medicine
Dental care, while essential for overall health, is often a source of anxiety for many. It is a fear often rooted in traumatic childhood experiences, but there are many other reasons that contribute to this issue. Despite its prevalence, it is a topic rarely gets public attention.
How might we employ trauma-informed design practices to craft an empowering, mind-easing dental experience?
UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES
Gaining Real-World Insights By Shadowing Dentist
Co-design sessions bring designers, stakeholders, and users together, promoting collaboration and shared understanding. These interactive workshops help ensure that solutions are creative, user-centered, and aligned with both user needs and practical realities.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Many dental clinics claim this, but the reality is...
Inconsistent Execution: Solutions designed to alleviate dental anxiety often underperform, leading to disappointing experiences, such as headphones that do not stay on properly.
Effective Care Practices: Clinics that demonstrate care, like having a comforting pet, significantly relax patients by acknowledging and addressing their anxiety.
QUALITATIVE USER INTERVIEWS
Unlocking Insights Through In-Depth Interviews
I interviewed among three user targets that I discovered in MY secondary research to find out factors that influence their donation and the channels they use when they decide on which organization to donate.
PARTICIPANTS
10
TYPE
6 Patients
1 Dental Office Owner
3 Dental Workers
TYPE
40-60 min
A patient-centered, business-oriented system that is both practical and innovative in reducing anxiety effectively.
ONBOARDING
Personalized Care, Easier Connection
Create a personalized profile in our app to tailor each dental visit to your specific needs, directly influencing your dentist's approach.
pREPARATION
Informed Preparation, Enhanced Comfort
Access detailed dentist profiles and procedure overviews, along with office-specific anxiety relief options, to fully prepare and ease your mind before appointments.
DURING PROCEDURE
Streamlined Check-In, Empowered Care
View estimated wait times and utilize an alert bell during procedures to communicate directly with your dentist, enhancing control and comfort throughout your visit.
rEVIEW & SHARE
Share Your Smile Journey
Evaluate your dentist and the procedure, then share your experience to help others make informed decisions about their dental care.
LOOKING FORWARD
Post-Procedure Summary and Prevention Tools
Receive a detailed summary of your appointment, including prescriptions and aftercare instructions, and access preventive resources like guided brushing games to maintain optimal dental health.
Speculative MR Goggles
Goggles that blend real-time treatment updates with entertainment using mixed reality
The googles help patients understand the procedure and build trust with their medical provider through a displayed countdown timer. An immersive meditation journey also offers a serene escape.
Takeaway
Co-creating solutions with target audience
Co-design sessions bring designers, stakeholders, and users together, promoting collaboration and shared understanding. These interactive workshops help ensure that solutions are creative, user-centered, and aligned with both user needs and practical realities.
