By: The New Dentist
When patients walk into Dr. Gaetano Calesini’s practice in Rome, they’re in for a dental experience like no other. The beautiful ancient architecture that houses the practice is breathtaking, as are the surroundings. The refined building is located in Rome’s historical center, so not only does it have a rich history of its own, it’s in walking distance of the museums, archaeological sites and art galleries that draw people to the area, as well as prime shopping destinations, the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Parliament and Piazza Navona.
Even though the building, which started out as a convent, dates back to the 15th century, the office is filled with all the modern technologies and amenities patients look for in a practice, including digital radiography, cone beam technology, lasers and digital impressions. As they marvel at the ancient structure, patients know they’re receiving the very best care from a team that’s using the latest in technology.
Studio Calesini also has a rich history in art, making it a special place for Dr. Calesini, his team and the patients who come from all over the world to visit.
“The room that is now my private office served as atelier for Sir Peter Rubens in the 1600s,” Dr. Calesini said. “He came to Rome as the Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga’s delegate in 1601 to copy some paintings. Right in this situation Rubens discovered Raffaello, Michelangelo, Barocci, Caravaggio and Carracci’s works. You can imagine how inspirational these walls can be nowadays for me.”
Combining the building’s beauty with dentistry
Dr. Calesini began working at 13 years old, and took on a job as an apprentice in a dental technician’s office while he attended secondary school. He then earned his CDT diploma, a medical degree and a dental medicine degree. During his schooling, he always held part time jobs, and some of the dental professionals he developed relationships with during that time were art lovers. That exposure played a role in the building’s design, giving Dr. Calesini a real appreciation for the beauty the building offered—beauty he didn’t want to distract from with dental equipment.
“It is possible the “imprinting” I received during that period influenced my personal and professional lives,” he said. “To combine past and future, I asked the architects and restorers to fully respect the ancient structures of the building, while at the same time hiding the most advanced dental technology inside this restored ‘box.’”
Making patients feel at home, no matter how far they traveled
The waiting room features details like leather, marble and flower compositions, creating a welcoming, homey atmosphere for patients, Dr. Calesini said.
“Because patients travel abroad to come here, it happens that the office is completely booked for hours or even days for one single patient or people from the same family,” he said. “I think of my office as my professional adobe. The welcoming I give to my patients is the same I would offer to important guests at my home. We all are honored by the trust they put in us. From our side, we want to create conditions to make them feel really at home.”
Offering a first-class patient experience
For 34 years, the office specialized in prosthetic treatments, with patients being referred there by other dentists. Once a multi-disciplinary plan was created, patients moved on to other specialists in the field. That wasn’t ideal for patients, and isn’t how the practice is run today.
Dr. Calesini’s team is made up of specialists in endodontics, surgery, periodontics, orthodontics and restorative, as well as hygienists. This enables him to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to dentistry. A psychologist coordinates the front office and facilitates communication, while all his dental assistants have backgrounds as either lab technicians or graduate nurses.
Dr. Calesini loves what he does, and prides himself on offering patients an experience they can’t find anywhere else. He considers himself lucky to have been born in what he describes as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and to be surrounded by extraordinary people who share his vision.
We want to deliver to our patients not only an excellent first class treatment, but also a wonderful souvenir of the time shared together and of the attentions received,” he said. “The goal is to build a special personal relationship with people we are going to treat, giving them an unforgettable experience.”
The practice
Location: Via della Croce 77, Rome
Services offered: prosthodontics, implants, orthodontics, periodontics, restorative dentistry, facial aesthetics, intravenous sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry
