We are delighted to introduce you to the lovely Dr. Sarah Wilmer, DDS (2nd from left), CEO of Cosmetic and Laser Dental Spa of Richmond. We’ve spent some time in her chair and can attest to her energy, knowledge and professionalism. We always laugh (a lot!) and you’re in great hands with her practice! Learn more about here here…

How did you get to where you are now?
From an early age I realized the link between health and happiness, so studying medicine was a no-brainer. In my second year of college, my Uncle Mike invited me to shadow him at his dental practice. I hadn’t given much thought to dentistry before that, but after watching him give a painless injection and then listening to the elderly woman speak passionately about how he had changed her life, I knew that I wanted to do the same in a field that most people fear.

After completing my BS in Biology at Hollins University, I became a dental assistant for a year before I studied at the VCU School of Dentistry. For two years after I graduated with my DDS degree, I worked in a couple of private practices and had the revelation that dentistry plays a huge role in a person’s self-confidence and overall happiness. I knew then that I wanted to open my own practice and gear it toward aesthetics

I started my own practice in 2013 and built it around a holistic approach. First, I wanted people to feel safe, even happy, at the dentist. Second, I wanted to focus on patients’ overall health, not just the restoration of their teeth. For example, the health of your gums affects heart disease among many other things so, in addition to providing treatment, I help patients understand the relationship between their mouths and all the other parts of their bodies. Lastly, I wanted to focus on cosmetics, in the hopes that I could make a positive impact on a person’s self-esteem and mental well-being.

Dentistry is ever-changing and I love being on the cutting edge of it! I have trained under some of the best dentists in the world. This year, we added laser dentistry and sleep apnea screenings and treatment to our list of services. We are excited about helping people create the look they want so they can feel the way they want and, most importantly, helping them live long and happy lives.

What makes you or your business stand out and why should a couple hire you?
Something I hear from my patients is how surprised they are to feel comfortable when they step inside my office. Part of that is probably because I laugh and joke a lot, and my team is a group of really awesome, smart, upbeat people. But the other source of my patients’ contentment is the level of care we show them. We are an office of no judgement. Seriously. If you haven’t been to the dentist in 20+ years, we simply welcome you back to dentistry. If you have a history of recreational drug use, we are here to fix your mouth and help you feel good about yourself. Love and kindness are at the root of our core values. And you won’t find a single person in our office who does not align with them. Not only are we experts in our crafts, we are wholeheartedly committed to the overall health of everyone we work with.

What’s your favorite thing about working in the wedding industry?
Seeing people smile through tears of pure joy! We do that. And it brings joy to our hearts. Brides and grooms often come to me looking to help straighten and whiten their teeth or make their lips fuller without the use of injections. I love helping my patients design and achieve the look they want for their special day (and beyond) because happiness is what life is really all about. Knowing that we help people get healthy and happy is one of the greatest joys. These meaningful relationships that we create with patients go beyond the weddings, and it is amazing to watch our patients grow as human beings and watching couples go from celebrating their engagement to celebrating anniversaries.

What’s a unique tip you tell your couples?
Make sure you’re both getting a good night’s rest! Sleep is a majorly important consideration in married life. Most of us love cuddling with our partner, but a good night’s rest can be a struggle if one or both people snore. One of the predominant causes of snoring is obstructive sleep apnea, which can be life threatening in some circumstances. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated in a number of ways, including through dental interventions like oral appliances and laser procedures. Snoring can have big life and health implications but it doesn’t have to be a problem. Most people don’t know they have sleep apnea, and many of them don’t even snore. So getting screened is important — it can save your life.

What’s your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?
Humor goes a long way! Wedding planning can be overwhelming, so it’s important to break up stress by cracking jokes, especially with your partner. I know I say this a lot, but smiles are powerful! Their positive effects are worth repeating. So remember to cherish the moments you spend getting ready to celebrate the start of a new chapter together and, when things get a little hectic, step back and laugh at it. Remember: no matter what your wedding looks like, at the end of the day, matrimony is about joy.

What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?
Watching everyone walk down the aisle. The anticipation of a grand entrance is thrilling!

What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
Ohhhh! Love this question. Gold. Less formality. Modern etiquette. Nature.

How do you de-stress?
Water and heat. Whether I’m immersed in it (hot tub) or surrounded by it (the beach), water and heat recenter me.

What’s the coolest thing you’re working on now?
Using my laser to create beauty without the use of needles or foreign injectables. Healthy skin also is related to healthy gums, and it also makes my patients feel amazing. Treatments like SmoothLase can take up to 15 years off of a patient’s appearance! LipLase gives patients instant gratification because the results of the lip enhancement procedure are immediately visible. So with these laser treatments I can increase a patient’s self-esteem and help get them healthy at the same time. Boo-yeah! And seeing that feels so good.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Pink. She is a true vocalist and entertainer.

Do you love to travel? If so, what are some must-see destinations?
Oh yes. Barcelona is my favorite!

Do you have a pet? If so, what’s their name and what are they like?
Three! Addy is my 16-year-old female Tabby. She is a force to be reckoned with for sure. Gracie is my 15-year-old silky terrier. She is very demanding. Both my girls have been with me since I was fresh out of college. They have seen me go through many stages of life – dental school, marriage, kids, multiple houses. I love them so much. We lost our golden retriever mix, Tennsley, last year. She was everything to us. She was described as having “eyes that look deep into your soul.” There will never be another like her. Although one is trying… Enter Figgy!

Figgy Lou-Lou (we allowed our daughter to pick the name) is our 75-lb, 11-month-old golden retriever. Figgy loves to eat anything she gets her mouth on. She is a thief when it comes to food and is a counter surfer. Nothing stops this girl. But she is the biggest baby teddy bear who enjoys snuggling up in the cat bed (somehow she figured out how to fit… mostly), squeezing her way onto the couch, and sleeping with the stuffed puppy we brought her home with (it’s the ONLY thing in the house she hasn’t tried to eat or shred). Despite all this, our newest fur baby has been a welcome addition to our family.

What is your favorite season of the year and why?
Fall! It’s cool enough to do activities like hiking, kayaking, camping, but still moderate enough to sit on the beach for an entire day.

Contact Dr. Wilmer today for a consultation! You’ll thank us later. 🙂

Email: sarahwilmerdds@gmail.com
Website: https://www.sarahwilmerdds.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwilmerdds