A local dentistry practice is expanding to include a modern hangout spot for its teenage patients, the practice announced in a news release.
 
Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, founded in 1997, treats children from infancy through adolescence. Now, teenagers can expect an office space - called the Teen Zone - geared specifically towards them.

Skip Tyson, one of the two dentists in the practice, said that all his original teen patients are college age, and he wanted the environment to appeal to them as well as to current teens.

“We wanted the wow factor. The problem was our main office was set up for 3 to 10-year-olds,” Tyson said. “So, we got this idea for the Teen Zone."
 
Located at 2606 Iron Gate Drive, the dentistry is revamping an empty office space previously occupied by Coastal Carolina Pathology. The 2200-square-foot space is located below the original office and will have its own entrance.
 
“We’re going to have more advanced gaming systems and games geared towards the teenagers,” Stephanie Heaney, the practice's other dentist, said. “We’re going to have homework stations and iPads in the waiting room.”
 
The Teen Zone will sponsor evening workshops focusing on issues relevant to teenagers. Topics include financial responsibility, healthy living, college application tips and summer job ideas, Tyson said.
 
The Teen Zone will be fully operational late July or early August, Tyson said.