A dental practice video has one big job: help a nervous patient feel comfortable before they ever walk through the door. That was our goal for Smile San Francisco, the downtown San Francisco practice Dr. Courtney Hain founded in 2019. Here’s the story behind the brand film we produced, what went into it, and how the same approach works for dentists, orthodontists, and medical practices in Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Northern California.
The story: a dentist who puts comfort first
Dr. Hain tells the story of how she found dentistry. As an undergrad, she had an internship at the UC Davis Medical Center and realized medicine wasn't for her. A mentor helped her explore other healthcare careers, and dentistry made sense because she'd always liked going to the dentist as a kid. In 2019 she opened Smile San Francisco to care for the oral health of the Bay Area community.
The film doesn't lead with procedures or equipment. It's built around what her patients say about her: she's detail-oriented, personable, and makes people feel at ease. One patient describes being very nervous about x-rays and dental work, and says Dr. Hain made the whole appointment easy and comfortable. Her team adds that she's honest and precise, and that she explains every step so patients know what to expect.
The practice's approach to anxious patients is the heart of the video. In Dr. Hain's words, there's no judgment. Her team knows some people haven't been to a dentist in a while, and they work to find out what's making a patient nervous and how to help.
Showing the place as well as the people
Smile San Francisco is in the 450 Sutter Building, in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Patients get there by train or by car, and the building is full of dental specialists Dr. Hain works with for needs a general dentist can't meet. We wanted the film to show that sense of place, so we combined:
Drone aerials of the San Francisco skyline, Coit Tower, and the bay to set the scene
Street-level cinematography of downtown and the building itself
Interviews with Dr. Hain, her team, and a patient, filmed in the treatment rooms
B-roll of the patient experience: the front desk, check-in, exams, and close-ups of instruments and technology
A clear call to action that invites viewers to book
The film ends with the practice's promise: care that puts you first, delivered with comfort, confidence, and peace of mind.
Why video works for dental and medical practices
Picking a dentist, orthodontist, or medical provider means trusting them, and video builds trust faster than a list of services. A short brand film lets a prospective patient:
See and hear the doctor before booking
Hear from real patients and team members
Get familiar with the office, parking, and front desk so the first visit feels less unfamiliar
Understand the practice's values, like gentle care, no judgment, and clear explanations
One shoot also gives you a full library of content: a hero video for your homepage, short cuts for Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, vertical clips for Reels and Shorts, and stills for your Google Business Profile and website.
Dental and healthcare video production in Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Northern California
Lumina Media is based in Reno, Nevada. We traveled to San Francisco for this project, but most of our healthcare and small-business work is closer to home. We produce brand films, patient testimonial videos, and practice tours for:
Dental practices: general, family, and cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentists, and orthodontists in Reno, Sparks, and South Reno
Lake Tahoe practices in Incline Village, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, and Tahoe City, where showing off the mountain setting can set a practice apart
Medical and wellness clinics: med spas, chiropractors, physical therapists, dermatologists, and specialty practices across Northern Nevada, including Carson City and Minden
Northern California practices from the Bay Area to Sacramento, Grass Valley, and the Sierra foothills
Every project is planned around how a medical office works. We schedule filming around patient hours, keep patients' privacy in mind, and only feature people who've agreed to be on camera. Our FAA-licensed drone work adds aerials of your building and neighborhood, which is a big help for practices in growing areas like South Reno, Damonte Ranch, Saddle Ridge, and Spanish Springs, where new patients want to know exactly where to go.
What a practice video shoot with us looks like
Discovery call: We talk about your patients, what sets your practice apart, and where the video will be used.
Story and interview planning: We prepare questions that help the doctor, team, and patients speak naturally without a script.
Filming day: Interviews, office and patient-experience B-roll, and optional drone aerials, usually in a single day with minimal disruption.
Editing and delivery: A polished brand film plus short social cuts, vertical versions, and stills, color-graded and ready for your website and channels.
Ready for a video that helps patients feel at ease?
If you run a dental, orthodontic, or medical practice in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, or Northern California and want a video that shows the care behind your practice, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Lumina Media to start planning your shoot.