From looking inside people's mouths to healing their minds - that is where Dr. Desiree Ward has gone in the space of just three months.

For Dr. Ward, who ran her own dental practice at the International Building on Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, for the past 13 years, has now opened a new shop selling crystals called the Crystal Forest opposite Mangrove Bay in East Shore Road, Somerset.

She is currently studying for a degree in Naturopathy (natural health and medicine) and plans to offer a whole new range of treatments and health advice services.

Dr. Ward first came up with the idea of starting up the business to get away from the stresses of dentistry.

"Dentistry can be very stressful as it is, but I did it because of my fascination with teeth," she said.

"Then I actually went to a holistic medicine conference many years ago and I looked at how crystals can be used and I met someone who used crystals in their treatment.

"Crystals can offer a vibrant energy and they can also be healing and this gentleman gave me a complimentary service and it showed me that there is a completely different way of treating people.

"Then a friend told me that every year for the two weeks in February is the World Gem Show in Tuscon, Arizona and I went and it was fascinating.

"It was an amazing experience and I have been collecting crystals and I started reading more about the properties of crystals and how they interact with the body."

Dr. Ward made the natural progression from dentistry to offering reiki treatment at the practice one day a week for about seven years and then launching her own business selling healing crystals.

"I did dentistry along with the reiki treatment until June and I needed a break and this opportunity came up," she said.

"I have been collecting stuff for a while and I saw this building and thought that is place where I want to be.

"My mother was going past one day and called in to ask about it and they said the shop was available, so I jumped on the first ferry straight after work to come down here and take it on.

"We all want to have one fun job in our lifetime and I guess this is mine.

"I love books, CDs, photography and crystals, so this is perfect for me."

She acquired the business in June and has been busy ever since designing the interior of the shop, right down to the furnishings, including the wooden floor and stands, painting the walls and the displays, herself, and then got carpenter Delbert Franklin from Finishing Touch to put it all together.

"I wanted it not to be overcluttered, but so that everyone could find something they liked," she said.

"When this opportunity came up I was still working in dentistry, so it was literally a case of dashing home from work to get the place ready and do all the painting, etc.

"I took a whole month off as well, so I guess it has been the end product of seven weeks of solid work."

The shop, which was officially unveiled at a launch party on Friday and is now open for business to the public, stocks everything from crystals for clearing the mind, enhancing the memory, healing and de-stressing, right through to books on nutrition base, herbal supplements and saving the planet, as well as CDs, art gifts and other health products.

It has an Indian, Nepalese and African theme running throughout, in addition to offering reiki and massage treatment in the Blue Room, in the same style as Dr. Ward's original facility at her dental practice.

Dr. Ward believes there is a calling for a crystal healing shop that offers something unique and completely different in Bermuda.

"We have got a need for a crystal shop in Bermuda, but it is also involved in happiness and health," she said.

"We are going to be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, but if people want to come in and get some treatment by appointment outside of that then they can.

"I love the fact that that it is in Somerset and opposite Mangrove Bay, which is a very peaceful and relaxing part of the Island.

"This is a nice sanctuary for people to de-stress and get away from the modern stresses and strains of life in big cities like Hamilton.

"I have backed myself and I have really invested in myself by starting this business, so I am going to give it a real good go and I am confident I can make a success of it."

To find about more about Crystal Forest or healing crystals in general call Dr. Desiree Ward on 234 1931or email barefootdentist@ gmail.com