RELAXA

Care for Your Teeth With Ease

CLEAR SHEN

Dental care, while essential for overall health,  is often a source of anxiety for many. According to a 2022 report from the National Library of Medicine, over 75% of adults in the US report feeling uneasy about dental visits, a fear often rooted in traumatic childhood experiences. How can we employ trauma-informed design practices to craft an empowering, mind-easing dental experience? Relaxa aims to create a world where dental care is not only necessary but also comforting, transforming fear into a feeling of safety and trust. 

To begin the project, Shen conducted deep research into dental anxiety through in-clinic field studies, interviews, and co-design sessions with affected individuals. “It’s critical to show understanding and willingness to work with anxious patients,” one dentist remarked. “Any steps count.”

These extensive efforts culminated in the creation of Relaxa, a three-part system designed to improve the dental experience.

1. Nibble, a personal app, equips patients with the control to manage their dental visits by allowing them to set procedural preferences, communicate directly with their dentist, and access detailed procedure explanations. It also maintains a personal health archive for each user and includes community chat boards, fostering support and connection among those with common anxieties.

2. The alert bell Relaxa Curve is both a stress-relief tool and a communication device, enabling patients to effectively communicate their needs mid-procedure through touch. Its simplicity and cost-effective design have been well-received by dental professionals and patients alike, according to user testing. 

3. Relaxa Goggles blend real-time treatment updates with entertainment using mixed reality. The googles help patients understand the procedure and build trust with their medical provider along with a displayed countdown timer. An immersive meditation journey is also incorporated, offering a serene escape.

Relaxa is designed to spotlight and address the often-overlooked issue of dental anxiety. Looking forward, Shen plans to partner with dental clinics and expand into broader healthcare sectors to further address this critical area of patient-doctor communication and care.

CLEAR SHEN

Empathetic and curious, Clear Shen is a product designer exploring how technologies enhance communication, individual expression, and interpersonal relationships. Having lived on three continents, Shen is always up for new challenges and enjoys working with diverse groups of people.

ch.shen06@gmail.com | clearshen.com | @clear.shen