Open Wide, Relax

Decades of working in the dental world showed Debbie Gatewood-Griego that even a routine cleaning appointment can be a stressful experience.

Gatewood-Griego, a registered dental hygienist, has located her new dental care business inside a spa that offers pampering body treatments.

Hygiene Village occupies a room at the Skin Bliss Day Spa & Salon at 2045 South Plaza NW in Old Town.

	Hygiene Village What: regular dental cleaning and deep cleaning Where: 2045 South Plaza NW, in Old Town, inside the Skin Bliss Day Spa & Salon Hours: appointments from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; evening and weekends appointments also available Phone: 814-3969

Clients who come in for regular dental cleaning can relax in the waiting room of the old-time adobe house next to the area where spa staff do facial and other treatments. The dental hygiene room itself has large windows and a glass door that opens onto a quiet courtyard.

Teeth cleaning is important to overall health. Neglecting regular flossing and dental cleaning can cause bacteria build up, which may cause periodontal disease, or infection that can lead to tooth loss, she said.

“People don’t understand how important your teeth are,” Gatewood-Griego said.

Her goal is to work with people, especially children, before they develop dental problems and to make their experience stress free.

Having access to spa services such as massage can help clients relax.

“The idea is to combine a lot in one area,” Gatewood-Griego said.

She spent 25 years working for dentists, including a pediatric dental office, but always nurtured the dream of having her own business. Her family had a Christmas tree business in Albuquerque for many years and later a pumpkin farm in Moriarty.

In pursuit of her dream, Gatewood-Griego studied dental hygiene at Southwestern College in San Diego and worked with the Sandoval County Small Business Development Center.

She currently does not accept insurance but believes her prices are a competitive alternative to a dentist’s office.

Regular cleaning costs $85, deep cleaning treatment is $600.

Gatewood-Griego accepts appointments from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday but is also available for evening and weekend appointments.