Where Calm Meets Confidence
Marking one year since opening, Dr. Keely Thorne and David Drew reflect on how The Dental Barns has become a calm, confidence-building retreat for patients seeking a different kind of dental care, published in Citylife In Lichfield Magazine.
One Year at The Dental Barns: Where Calm Meets Confidence
A Quiet Morning, A Moment of Gratitude
The scent of wild fig fills the air. Gentle piano music drifts through the lounge. Beyond the wide window, the trees shift in the breeze and the brook moves quietly below. These are the moments — coffee in hand, morning light all around — when we pause and reflect on all that this year has brought. Twelve months ago, The Dental Barns was still just a vision. A quiet idea, shared between us, rooted in years of experience and a simple desire to do things differently. To create a dental space that felt calm, personal, and genuinely uplifting. Today, that vision is alive in every part of this place — and in every patient who has walked through its doors.
A Thoughtfully Different Kind of Dental Experience
From the beginning, we knew we wanted to offer something more than excellent clinical care. We wanted to create a space that felt different — where confidence could be rebuilt gently, and where people could feel at home, not on edge.
Every detail of The Dental Barns was chosen with intention. The scent in the air. The natural textures. The sound of the brook outside. The time we give to simply sit, chat, and listen before anything clinical begins.
Because dentistry — especially cosmetic and restorative — is deeply personal. And when patients feel calm, safe, and heard, something powerful shifts.
Driving along the A38, you wouldn’t expect to find yourself pulling into somewhere like this. But the moment you turn off the main road and ease down the private driveway, things begin to change. The noise fades. The view opens. The trees rise gently around you, and the brook winds along just beyond the glass. There's a stillness to this setting — one that feels instantly calming, even if you hadn’t realised you needed it. When we first saw Blackbrook Barns, we knew this was it. It felt right. A place with light, quiet, space — and most importantly, a feeling. It’s easy to access, with ample parking just steps from the door, but it doesn’t feel clinical or expected. It feels like a hidden retreat. And for us, that’s exactly what we wanted The Dental Barns to be: a place where comfort begins before you’ve even stepped inside.
What You Can Expect
We offer a full range of private general, cosmetic, and restorative treatments — including whitening, composite bonding, veneers, Invisalign®, smile makeovers, Airflow® hygiene treatments, and ongoing dental care — all delivered with a focus on subtlety, precision, and care.
Behind the scenes, everything is led by clinical precision. We’ve invested in carefully selected technology and materials — choices made by us, with years of experience behind every decision. Your first appointment includes a detailed digital scan, X-rays, and high-resolution images displayed on the overhead screen and explained clearly, so you understand every aspect of your care. We assess not just your teeth, but the health of your gums, your bite, and signs of wear or trauma — because a truly beautiful smile begins with a healthy foundation.
You’ll be welcomed into the lounge — a space designed not to feel like a clinic, but a home. The fabrics are soft, the colours gentle, the view calm. Everything here was created to help patients feel safe, unhurried, and comfortable.
During treatment, we also offer a range of thoughtful touches to help you feel more at ease — from noise-cancelling headphones (so you can listen to music, podcasts, or watch something on the overhead TVs), to aromatherapy, warm blankets, and time to pause whenever you need it.
A Year of Moments That Mattered
We’ve shared quiet tears with patients who never imagined they’d smile again. We’ve seen people sit taller, speak more freely, and carry themselves differently after treatment. Some moments have been softly transformational — a touch of bonding, a lift in colour — while others have been more complex. But in each case, it’s never just about the result. It’s about how people feel when they leave.
A Few Things We’re Proud Of
This year has brought its share of proud moments: - We were honoured to be nominated in eight national categories at the Private Dentistry Awards. - We received Highly Commended recognition for Treatment of Nervous Patients and Best Digital Practice. - And David was named Best Practice Manager in the UK at the 2025 Dentistry Awards — a recognition that still leaves us both speechless. These moments are special. But what matters most will always be the quiet ones — the trusting look before treatment begins, the spontaneous hug at the end, the newfound ease in a returning patient’s eyes.
The Heart of The Barns
The Dental Barns is more than just a beautiful space — it’s the people inside it who bring it to life.
From the first welcome at reception to the thoughtful, exceptional care delivered in the surgery, our team understands that how we make people feel is just as important as the results we deliver.
Everyone here takes the time to listen, explain and adapt — whether someone is feeling anxious or simply wants to understand their options. It’s that quiet attentiveness and professionalism that we believe sets our team apart.
Looking Ahead
As we begin our second year, our focus remains clear:
- To continue offering exceptional cosmetic and restorative dentistry
- To deepen the sense of calm and comfort patients feel the moment they step through the door
- And to keep refining the small details that help people feel held, not hurried
Thank You, Lichfield
To everyone who’s been part of our first year — thank you. Whether you’ve trusted us with your care, recommended us to a friend, shared kind words online, or followed our journey from afar — you’ve helped shape what The Dental Barns has become. If you’ve been quietly considering cosmetic or restorative treatment, or simply looking for a dental space that feels calm and personal — we’d love to welcome you. Come in. Settle. Let’s talk.
With warmth, Dr. Keely Thorne & David Drew Founders, The Dental Barns
Read the full artical at Citylife in Lichfield
