Q: What made you decide to open a practice in Austin, and how has the city’s growth shaped your patient base?
A: I’ve been practicing dentistry in Austin since 1979, so I’ve had a front-row seat to watching this city grow and change. Austin was a much smaller town back then, but one thing that’s never changed is the people. Austinites value relationships, authenticity, and quality, and that’s always been the kind of practice I wanted to build.
When I founded Austin Dental Spa, I wanted patients to receive exceptional dentistry in an environment that felt warm and welcoming. Back then, the idea of combining cosmetic dentistry with spa-like comforts was pretty unconventional, but it just felt like the right way to care for people. Today, one of my favorite things is seeing multiple generations of the same family in our practice.
-Mark Sweeney, DDS
Q: If someone is nervous or has had a bad dental experience before, how does a visit to your office feel different?
A: Honestly, we hear that story all the time. It’s incredibly common for someone to tell us they’ve avoided the dentist because of a bad experience in the past. One of the first things we want people to know is that they’re not alone. Dental anxiety is much more common than most people realize.
Our job isn’t to make anyone feel bad about how long it’s been but to help them move forward in a way that feels comfortable. That starts with listening
We try to find the cause of the anxiety and determine what we can do to make the experience easier. Sometimes that’s simply taking more time to explain what’s happening. Other times it’s the little comforts, like a warm neck pillow, a blanket, or even a hand or foot massage. And for patients who need additional help relaxing, we also offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Every patient is different, so we really try to meet people where they are.
By the end of the appointment, it’s not unusual for patients to tell us, “That wasn’t nearly as bad as I remembered.” Hearing that never gets old.
-Krista Froehlich, DDS
Q: What’s one procedure or technology you offer that most patients don’t realize is available at a general dentist’s office?
A: One thing that surprises patients is our digital scanner. Instead of using those messy impression materials that everyone remembers, we use a digital scanner, which makes treatments like crowns and Invisalign much more comfortable and precise. Patients love that we can create a detailed 3D model of their teeth in just a few minutes.
– Elaheh Askari, DMD
Q: How do you explain a treatment plan to a patient so they actually understand what’s happening and why?
A: We never want someone to leave our office thinking, “I have no idea what just happened.”
We like to keep things simple and conversational. We’ll pull up their X-rays or photos, point out exactly what we’re seeing, and explain it in plain English. We always encourage questions because we want people to feel like they’re part of the conversation.
When patients understand what’s going on and why we’re recommending something, they feel much more confident making decisions about their care. That’s really our goal. We want every patient to leave feeling informed, not overwhelmed.
-Krista Froehlich, DDS
Q: What’s the biggest myth or misconception patients have about dental care that you find yourself correcting most often?
A: Probably the idea that if nothing hurts, nothing’s wrong. We wish that were true, but cavities, gum disease, cracked teeth, and even infections can develop quietly before they cause pain. That’s why regular exams are so important; we’re often able to catch small problems before they become bigger ones. The best dental visits are usually the ones where we don’t find much at all.
-Dr. Elaheh Askari DMD
(512) 452-9296
3305 Northland Dr, Suite 515
austindentalspa.com
