A RED BANK LUXURY DENTAL STUDIO IS EMPOWERING ITS PATIENTS TO OWN THEIR SMILES WITH PRIDE
BY ERIK SCHONING PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO
For many, a trip to the dentist can be a source of unease. At Red Bank’s Inspo Dental, Dorothy Lee, DMD, is working to redefine patients’ relationships with the dentist’s chair through a comfortcentric approach to dentistry that pairs luxury aesthetics with top-tier technology and care. Regular dental check-ups may be a necessity for maintaining overall health, but Dr. Lee and her team are working hard to ensure that appointments never feel like a chore
Dr. Lee’s interest in dentistry dates back to her childhood in Staten Island; her godmother was a dental hygienist who encouraged her to pursue a career in the field. After a stint in dental offices, shadowing and gaining experience, Dr. Lee attended the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. In 2019, Dr. Lee and her family moved to Colts Neck, and in January 2024, she purchased her own practice. Inspo Dental was born.
Running your own practice is an exciting opportunity for a medical provider; it’s a chance to reflect on years of experience and lessons learned. Priority number one for Dr. Lee was clear: create a space where client comfort is paramount.
“We deliver exceptional dental care through a patient-centered approach that prioritizes not only oral health, but overall comfort, trust, and long-term well-being,” Dr. Lee said. “We exist to elevate the dental experience for both patients and team members, ensuring that every individual feels heard, cared for, and supported.”
Dr. Lee and her team work especially hard to accommodate and welcome patients who may have dental anxiety, offering a comfort menu that includes a refreshment bar for pre- or post-treatment needs, complimentary ad-free streaming services, organic lavender cleansing cloths, personal eye masks, and plenty of cozy blankets. Upon purchasing the practice last year, Dr. Lee remodeled the interior, intent on creating a warm, welcoming environment that eschews the stark lighting and sterile feel of a typical dental office.
“I want to be the one to change people’s perspective, make them feel comfortable and change their outlook on coming to the dentist,” Dr. Lee said. “Many patients have dental anxiety and have been traumatized from previous dental visits. I do not want people to fear coming to the dentist.”
As a woman-owned practice, the Inspo team values every opportunity to empower women through confidence-boosting, first-class dentistry, inspiring them to push boundaries in their professional and personal lives and become the best versions of themselves.
But it’s not only about the vibes at Inspo. Dr. Lee and her team stay abreast of the latest technological developments in dentistry to ensure their patients are always receiving the latest cutting-edge treatment. There is, for example, CEREC Primemill, which allows the Inspo team to make same-day crowns, saving the patient time by eliminating the need for a follow-up insertion visit. The Fotona dental laser allows for soft-tissue treatments without the need for a scalpel or sutures, and the DEXIS CariVu allows Dr. Lee and her hygienists to quickly and reliably detect cavities and cracks in the teeth without the use of radiation. The common thread in all these technologies is that they save patients time and headaches, and Dr. Lee devotes a lot of her non-patient-facing time to staying on top of the latest and greatest in dental technology.
A large sign in the Inspo office reads “Your Smile Our Art,” and it’s a fitting motto for a practice that also specializes in cosmetic dentistry and in helping patients look and feel their best.
“After graduating and taking continuing education courses, I found there was room in cosmetic dentistry,” Dr. Lee said. “I learned I can boost patients’ confidence, as many haven’t smiled in years. We offer no prep and minimal prep veneers, which is a great way to conservatively enhance a patient’s smile.”
Inspo also offers an expanded menu of cosmetic offerings, including Botox and fillers, going beyond traditional dental offerings in a holistic, one-stop-shop approach to wellness. Paired with teeth whitening, composite bonding, and contouring services, cosmetic care at Inspo is all about helping patients look and feel their brightest.
For Dr. Lee, success in dentistry is rooted in lasting relationships, with her patients and the larger community. The recipient of a coveted American Academy of Oral Medicine award, Dr. Lee sees herself as a vital part of the Red Bank community. Her philanthropic efforts include free dentistry days for first responders and veterans. Now approaching its third year, Inspo Dental will continue to redefine the dental office experience, one smile at a time.
Inspo Dental
146 Maple Avenue, Red Bank
732.530.5111 / inspodental.com