From Dental Anxiety to Artistic Delight: Ståle Gerhardsen decorates Ty dental clinic
6. October 2025
What do you feel when you think about visiting the dentist? For many people, it is a feeling of unease. At Ty Dental Clinic, we wanted to transform exactly that feeling, creating a first impression that offers something entirely different—something inspiring and beautiful.In the autumn of 2024, we therefore contacted an artist who masters precisely this: creating joy, curiosity, and a smile. We were incredibly fortunate to involve the acclaimed Trondheim artist Ståle Gerhardsen in decorating our brand new waiting room in Liljendal.
Trondheim Artist Ståle Gerhardsen Provides an Artistic Lift for the Mind
“The feeling of going to the dentist, I associate with fear,” says Ståle Gerhardsen. Therefore, the entire essence of his artistic design has been to convey a feeling of lightness and positivity—the deep relief one feels upon hearing the highly anticipated words: “You have zero cavities.”
Translating the “All Clear” Feeling into Art:
This outcome is symbolized perfectly by the sculpture that has now received a place of honor high up on the wall: a figure casting a paper airplane. The paper airplane itself represents that profound relief, a symbol that thoughts can take off on an adventure, transitioning from an “Ah” of worry to an “Oh” of relief.
The Waiting Room in Liljendal, Trondheim: Details That Divert Focus from Worry
Our waiting room is now filled with Ståle’s characteristic art: captivating neon art, paintings, prints, and sculptures. There is something to see everywhere. Among the works is one that the artist has worked on for a full 13 years, a piece containing several elements from his artistic universe that will be recognizable to those who have followed him over the years.1
The goal is simple: to give you, the patient, something else to rest your eyes on, something that can lead your thoughts away from worry and toward experience and curiosity. We cannot guarantee that dental phobia will disappear, but we can guarantee that there are many things here to capture your attention and redirect your focus.
Art Integrated into the Walls—and Your Patient Experience
What makes this waiting room truly unique is how the art is integrated. This is not simply art hanging on the wall; several of the works are built in as part of the architectural slat walls. The execution is incredibly sleek and well-considered, and the result is a feeling that the art is an organic part of the room—more than decoration, it is part of the clinic’s soul.1
Welcome to a dental experience focused on well-being, where the first step through the door is into an inspiring waiting room. Welcome to a waiting room where every corner tells a story, and where the artist’s goal aligns perfectly with ours:
“We aim to create joy and bring about smiles.”
– Ståle Gerhardsen.