For dentists looking to stand out in a competitive market, the intersection of advanced technology, efficient design and patient-centered care offers a compelling path forward. Chalsey Nelsen, DDS, has built such a model at HÄLSA Edina Dental in Edina, Minnesota, where a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic supports her modern, wellness-focused practice.
Dr. Nelsen’s career path reflects a service mindset rooted in personal inspiration. “I thought it was really cool that she owned her own place,” she said of her mother, a salon owner. “She got to help people look and feel beautiful, and in my eyes, her job was really about the people, not the hair.” That philosophy is a cornerstone of her cosmetic and surgical dentistry-focused practice. She notes, “I love when patients smile bigger after a cosmetic case, or chew better after an implant.”
Marrying technology, efficiency and flexibility
After relocating to the Minneapolis area, Dr. Nelsen secured a practice and prioritized continuity for both patients and staff. Strong vendor and service relationships helped ensure a smooth transition and supported ongoing upgrades without disrupting care.
Today, a blend of clinical capabilities and a cohesive patient experience help differentiate HÄLSA. The practice integrates in-house milling, CBCT, intraoral scanning, guided implant placement, lasers and AI-assisted radiography. “All of them!” Dr. Nelsen said when asked which technologies matter most. But technology alone is not the winning strategy.
A redesign of the sterilization center illustrates the impact of operational thinking. By shifting to a galley-style layout, adding stacked sterilizers and incorporating an instrument washer, the team improved throughput and minimized bottlenecks. The goal, as one expert involved noted, is continuous movement – avoiding points where “progress basically comes to a stop.” The result is faster instrument processing and a more predictable clinical day.
Clinical flexibility also drives efficiency. A newly designed operatory functions as a surgical suite, supporting procedures from implants to PRF-based healing. Thoughtful placement of equipment enables seamless transitions between high- and low-speed handpieces and accommodates both seated and standing dentistry – small details that compound over time.
Prioritizing patient comfort
Equally important is the way patients experience the environment. Natural light, clean lines and organic materials create a calm, spa-like setting aligned with the HÄLSA philosophy: treating the mouth as an integral part of the whole body. “We focus on the whole person first… then work to educate patients on how the health of their mouth affects their overall health and vice versa,” Dr. Nelsen explained.
Keeping current
Ongoing education and clinical growth round out the model. Through study clubs and continued training, Dr. Nelsen keeps protocols current while expanding services such as same-day crowns, guided bone regeneration and laser treatments.
For practices navigating intentional growth, HÄLSA offers a clear takeaway: align technology, design and philosophy. When each element reinforces the others, efficiency improves, teams thrive and patients feel the difference.
Learn more about HÄLSA and Dr. Nelsen’s partnership with Patterson here.
