Skip to main content

Effingham Magazine

iHeart Dental is All Heart

iHeart Dental is All Heart 

Story by Jane Grismer
Photography by Haley Emory

Imagine, if you will, being excited for your next dental appointment. Or going to a dentist where you were greeted with a hot cup of coffee and a warm welcome.

The staff at iHeart Dental immediately sets the stage for what could be your favorite dental experience. Or maybe your favorite experience, for that matter

The idea behind this experience is to transform you. It is to challenge your belief of what a dental office is and what it can do if it is executed differently.

The practice prides itself with going the extra mile to make sure that each patient has an extraordinary visit. The goal is to alleviate the stigma that creates fear and prevents people from visiting the dentist.

Located on the corner of Goshen Road and Highway 21 in Rincon, iHeart Dental is the go-to for dental services in the surrounding local area and beyond.

The practice offers full-service dentistry services that includes general, preventive, restorative and cosmetic with 10 operating rooms and growing.

It also offers spa services such as botox, facials, microblading and eyelash extensions, to help meet the needs of their clientele.

Dr. Misty Seale and Erich Perez

iHeart Dental is owned and operated by a dynamic married couple who share a vision for success, not just for themselves but for everyone involved in their practice.

It was while attending the Medical College of Georgia College of Dental Science in Augusta where the future Dr. Misty Seale met Erich Perez, who would become her husband, while she was a DJ at a club that he managed.

Passionate about life, they grew together and soon became passionate about building a business together.

The iHeart Dental business began in 2019, however, the concept began two years earlier.

Dr. Seale is, as they put it, “the doctor’s mind carrying out the day-to-day process with both staff and patients.” iHeart Dental was her vision, her idea, her dream that they are carrying out together with great success.

Erich took her vision and found ways to further implement and create more opportunities for visibility with his exceptional marketing, design, technical and networking skills.

A New Type of Dental Experience

This is not your typical dental visit. No loud drills. No bright lights. No screaming kids. No bad radio stations. Instead, the space offers comfort and relaxation; a sanctum from the outside traffic.

iHeart Dental is certainly different. And it's all by design. Seale and Perez, with great precision, planned every aspect of the business with purpose.

“Our goal is to create a higher comfort level for the patient and also to treat the entire body as well as considering all five senses,” Seale said.

“From the soft lighting to eliminate eye fatigue to the refreshments in the waiting room to the iHeart Dental signature smell.” (Yes, Seale created their own fragrance!)

“We even use dental instruments that have a gentle sound instead of that shrieking drill noise that we all know. This helps our patients become less afraid.”

The practice also uses weighted blankets, sunglasses and ear muffs to help comfort the patient.

“Everything we do is working toward the patient’s comfort level and to help create less anxiety.”

Apollo

Enter Apollo, the American Bulldog.

Apollo is the office service dog that specializes in helping with anxiety, and the patients love him. He is currently training his brother Kronos to be his sidekick in the office. They are two of the couple’s five family dogs—all American Bulldogs.

“We’ve had patients call to make sure that Apollo would be in the office for their upcoming appointment,” Perez said. “There’s something truly special about Apollo. He loves the patients just as much as they love him.”

Taking Care of Their Staff

To come full circle with the office environment, an equal amount of care is considered in the comfort and well-being of the iHeart Dental staff. It is important to the owners that their employees are well taken care of, and it shows in the staff’s positive attitude.

iHeart Dental’s hiring practices are very specific. After ensuring that the candidate has the required skill set, they conduct a personality test to make sure that the potential employee would be a good fit with the qualities they are looking for.

“We look for talent as well as passion and the right demeanor. We found that when the staff is passionate, authentic and easygoing, it helps with the patient experience significantly,” Seale said.

Community Partnership

They also believe in active community partnerships. They often can be found participating at local events in their signature iHeart Dental jeep, giving back to the community, offering on-site services.

iHeart Dental has chosen to contribute to several nonprofits, and a portion of their profits benefit these organizations.

While very much a serious business, a great amount of thought is put behind the softer and lighter side of running the practice. Perez said they approach the business with “the care of a private practice and core of a corporation.”

The company’s branding was meticulously designed. They wanted something that was playful but “not kid-ish” and captures the essence of their mission, vision and values.

Their mission is clear: to create a practice that is honest, comfortable and geared toward adults (seniors are favorites) that will take the stigma out of visiting the dentist while offering a safe place to maintain oral health.

Their vision seems to be filled with endless possibilities to continue to grow a business that is community-minded, family-oriented and world class.

With many values within them—as a business, as leaders and as a family—they said their top three are “honesty, integrity and love.” 

One thing is for sure: iHeart Dental is all heart.

(912) 429-2878
iheartdental.com
135 Goshen Rd #205 Rincon, GA