How Shikha Mittal combined aesthetics and performance to create an oasis of calm in Bedfordshire
It’s fitting that dentist Shikha Mittal’s latest business venture was once a boutique clothes shop. With her well-trained eye for aesthetics and balance, she has created the perfect blend of style and comfort in the setting for her aptly named second dental clinic, Aura Dental. The squat practice opened within 12 months of her purchasing the empty shell and now welcomes a growing number of patients, all treated in an environment designed with their comfort in mind.
Harmony and function lie at the heart of Shikha’s approach to dentistry. She graduated from Cardiff University and completed advanced postgraduate training in cosmetic dentistry and implant dentistry. As an accredited Invisalign provider, she has extensive experience treating patients of all ages and is passionate about delivering confident, natural-looking smiles. This new clinic reflects her philosophy of delivering the highest standards of comfort, function and aesthetics.
Having established Royston Dental Suite in the Hertfordshire market town, Shikha was keen to expand her brand of care to a fresh pool of patients a little further afield – just 30 minutes north – to create ‘something special’.
She explains: ‘Royston Dental Suite remains an important part of my professional journey, and I’m proud of all we’ve achieved there. But Aura Dental marks the next chapter. It has enabled us to create a purpose-built environment that reflects our vision for modern, patient-centred dentistry while continuing to grow alongside Royston.’
Aura Dental is on Sandy High Street in Bedfordshire, a growing community with a clear need for high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Shikha was keen to meet that need.
‘The location presented the perfect opportunity to create a practice that serves local families while also offering advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments. We wanted to build a business that would become part of the community and establish long-term relationships with our patients.’
The vision for this next chapter was to transform a tired building into a space for exceptional family dentistry.
To bring that vision to life, she engaged Anglian Dental’s specialist teams, who collaborated on the project and oversaw everything from designs and technical drawings to flooring, cabinetry and equipment.
Works included a full strip-out of the existing space, along with the addition of stud walls, ceilings, doors, electrical and plumbing works, flooring and LED panel lighting. The scope was to create two surgeries and prepare for a third, as well as a CBCT room, decontamination room, staff room and restrooms. They also installed high-quality equipment and cabinetry throughout the practice.
Shikha says: ‘The priority was to create a space that perfectly balances aesthetics with functionality. We wanted it to feel calm, spacious and welcoming while ensuring every treatment room was ergonomically designed for efficiency and comfort, with the latest technology. We made every decision with both the patient and the clinical team in mind.’
That philosophy is particularly evident in the practice’s interior design. Shikha chose a soft, neutral colour palette with warm, natural tones to create a relaxing atmosphere, complemented by Aura’s signature navy blue, gold and cream.
‘Many people feel anxious about visiting the dentist, so we wanted the environment to feel more like a boutique wellness space than a traditional dental practice. The colours also maximise natural light and create a timeless, elegant aesthetic,’ she explains. ‘Everything at Aura Dental has been designed with the patient experience at its heart. At the same time, the practice has been designed to maximise clinical efficiency, allowing our team to provide the highest standard of care in a modern, welcoming environment.’
The equipment was selected with the same combination of aesthetics, performance and patient comfort in mind. As part of the fit-out, Shikha chose Belmont treatment centres – a Belmont Eurus S1 and a Eurus S8 in Cloud and Champagne upholstery, with Belmont 097 X-rays in each surgery.
‘They combine exceptional patient comfort with outstanding ergonomics for the clinical team. The sleek, contemporary design fits perfectly with the practice’s overall look, while also providing the reliability and functionality we needed. It was the ideal combination of aesthetics and performance. Our approach to dentistry is centred on quality, precision and patient comfort. The Belmont chairs reflect those values perfectly by combining thoughtful design with innovative technology and exceptional ergonomics. It lets us deliver the highest standard of care while ensuring patients feel as comfortable and reassured as possible throughout treatment.’
For Shikha, the collaboration with Anglian Dental was an important part of achieving the end result. ‘Their expertise helped us choose equipment that complemented both the practice’s design and the way we work clinically. They understood the vision and provided valuable guidance throughout the process, helping us select solutions that offer long-term quality, reliability and comfort.’
From purchasing the property to welcoming guests at an open day, the entire project took about a year. It was a significant undertaking, covering everything from planning and design to refurbishment, equipment installation and final finishing touches.
‘It was a long process, but the team took the time to get every detail right, and we’re incredibly proud of the finished practice,’ she says.
‘As with any major refurbishment, there were challenges along the way, from coordinating multiple contractors to managing delivery schedules for specialist equipment. However, with careful planning and excellent collaboration among everyone involved, those challenges were overcome, and the result matches my vision.’
Watching it come to life was, Shikha says, incredibly rewarding. Seeing the finished surgeries, the reception area and the overall atmosphere exceed expectations was a real highlight.
‘The most rewarding part, however, has been hearing patients tell us how relaxed and comfortable they feel from the moment they walk through the door. That feedback confirms we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to create.’
Aura Dental currently operates two surgeries, but ambitious expansion plans are underway.
‘While Aura has the same number of surgeries as Royston, we’ve completely reimagined the layout to maximise space, streamline workflow and elevate the patient experience,’ Shikha explains. ‘We’ve designed the practice with the future in mind and are already looking to expand by adding a third surgery as demand continues to grow, with further space upstairs for three more surgeries.’
The case for expansion is already clear, and the practice’s carefully considered design provides a strong foundation for the next stage of Shikha’s vision: deepening that all-important commitment to quality, precision, comfort and patient-centred care within an ever-growing community.
For more information, visit https://belmontdental.co.uk
