dental office renovation Archives

The Ideal Dental Office Layout and How to Achieve It

The ideal workspace is frequently elusive. After all, different people have different needs. A teacher necessarily considers his or her classroom in a different light than a corporate CEO views his or her office. An architect will need something different from a banker, who will, in turn, want something different, as well. The needs and priorities of individuals, as well as the demands of the job(s) being performed in the space, means no two office layouts should ever be identical. That being said, there are commonalities, especially when dealing with the design of offices in a particular industry, that make working in a space more efficient and a lot more comfortable. Take dentistry, for example. After decades of experience, our team of designers at Key Interiors knows what dentists want and need in a dental office layout. Take a look:

The Ideal Dental Office Layout

Dental offices are shared among the professionals providing dental office services (i.e., dentists, hygienists and clerical assistants) and, of course, the patients needing those services. As such, the ideal dental office layout must satisfy the needs of wide range of people, each of whom has multiple and extremely varied needs and objectives. The goal, then, is to accommodate the majority of those needs in a way that invites and encourages employees and patients alike to enter, find useful and enjoy being in the space.

How to Create an Ideal Dental Office Layout

While no one specific layout works for all dental practices, our designers at Key Interiors have pinpointed certain criteria that should be prioritized during any dental office design. Adhering to these best practices helps ensure a dental office layout that meets the needs of the greatest number of people visiting the space.

- Focus on Creating an Upscale Environment with Modern Decor
  First and foremost, dental offices cater to patients. Without patients, there isn’t a need for an office at all! Unfortunately, however, a lot of people don’t like going to the dentist for checkups, and it can be hard even to get them through the front door especially if they’re met with outdated, uncomfortable decor. Vertical blinds; bright, fluorescent lighting; hard, oak furniture; dusty faux foliage and the like are hardly a draw. But if dental offices are well-lit, hospitable places, it follows that more people might be willing to visit. Focus on adding contemporary features to your dental office layout such as soft, natural lighting, Wi-Fi access, a coffee machine, comfortable, clean seating and pleasant artwork so that patients are engaged and physically at ease during a dental office visit.
- Focus on Function
  A good dental office layout is also one that makes the best use of the space at hand. This doesn’t mean that every square inch of a building or suite needs to be dedicated to a specific task: for storage, waiting, treatment, etc. It simply means that you have thought about how you will use the totality of the space in question and have a plan for keeping each area of the design dedicated to its original purpose so that other areas remain free of unnecessary clutter.
- Focus on Privacy
  Privacy is always a concern during any health service encounter. While dentistry is not as preoccupied with confidentiality as a medical care provider might be, the industry as a whole does aim to maintain a certain level of privacy for all dental patients. No one likes to be on display during a dental procedure and no one wants the details of his or her care to be shared with the masses. Design your dental office layout so that patients feel sheltered and safe to ensure that you’re on your way to an ideal workspace!

Want to Learn More?

To bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of any dental office layout, it’s also recommended that you partner with a reputable and knowledgeable design firm. Our team at Key Interiors, for example, has decades of experience designing dental office layouts for practices of all sizes. We help our clients make the most of the spaces they have, ensuring that their dental office layouts impress patients; boost employee morale; improve work productivity; and reduce unnecessary overhead. Please contact us to learn how we can help you, too.

10 Tips for Getting Started with Dental Office Construction

Revamping your dental office design can represent a big step forward for your organization. An enhanced dental office layout can lead to better patient experiences, improved employee morale, and increased overall productivity among staff members. However, before you start making calls and scheduling your dental office construction project, there are a few things that business leaders need to address first. Luckily, Key Interiors is here to help!

Here are 10 things you should do before embarking on dental office construction:

#1 Clearly Establish Your Goals & Plan for the Future

Arguably, the most essential part of a dental office construction project is getting a clear outline of the dentist’s goals in their new practice. Is it simply updating an existing space, or are you taking on a larger space and doing a full build-out? Are you looking to be able to tend to more clients at once? Will you want to add new technology needing a particular room or extra space? Will another doctor be joining your practice anytime in the next 10 years? Think ahead. There are many scenarios for which you should consider, including space.

#2 Review Your Budget

There’s a big difference between knowing how much you’re prepared to spend on a dental office construction project and knowing the availability of your funds to complete the project as desired. You should always have a range or an idea of how much money you have available before taking too deep of a plunge into planning a renovation. If you don’t, you could get entirely through the design phase and realize your available funds won’t cover it.

Once you know how much money is available to you and preferably also an idea of how much you want to spend, make sure that whoever you decide to partner with as your dental office construction contractor discusses your financial options. There are always ways to save money in a renovation without sacrificing the ‘wow’ factor of your space.

#3 Permits & Working with Your Land

Depending on whether you rent your space or need to perform extensive dental office construction, you may be required to speak with a landlord or government official to gain clearance for your redesign project. For the most part, Key Interiors can handle local permits and approvals, but you still may need to work with your landlord if you don’t own your space. Obviously, you won’t get very far if the authorities don’t give you the green light, so don’t skip this step – it will only take longer and be more expensive.

#4 Choosing the Right Partner

Before choosing a company to work with throughout your design/build process, ensure your contractor has experience working with dental/medical facilities and has done dental office construction projects in the past. You may not think this has a significant impact, and the non-specialized contractor may mean well (and may come in the cheapest), but they will hit unexpected delays and costs due to a lack of experience in the industry. So many requirements and layout specifications are dental-specific that an industry expert is ready for, and these could throw a wrench in the project for an inexperienced contractor.

#5 Set a Timeline

Dental office construction projects can run the gamut from a few weeks to many months –– take time early in the process to work with your contractor to create the timeline you’d like while considering the extent of work needed. Establishing a realistic and detailed timeline that encompasses each phase of the construction process is imperative. Begin with a pre-construction phase involving site preparation, permit acquisition, and necessary demolitions. Factor in installing essential infrastructure such as plumbing and electrical systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Allocate time for selecting and procuring specialized dental equipment and technology, considering potential lead times. Collaborate closely with the contractor to promptly address any unforeseen challenges and streamline the construction timeline. By meticulously planning the project schedule, you can minimize disruptions to your dental practice and ensure a seamless transition to the newly designed office space.

#6 Plan for Disruption

Some dental offices can schedule construction on their office around regular work hours. Regardless, business leaders must plan for construction to disrupt certain parts of their office or their workday. Have plans ready for accepting patients even during times of peak construction. Some dentists may consider looking for temporary office space while construction is ongoing. If dental office construction occurs at a different location than your current practice, disruption should be minimal besides your needed input into construction & design decisions.

#7 Establish Contingencies

What happens if construction is delayed for two weeks? Or if a project goes over budget? Or if one or more aspects of your strategy need to be changed? Answering these questions may not be easy, but it’s essential to have contingency plans ready in case of emergencies. Implementing a comprehensive risk management strategy is essential to navigate unforeseen challenges effectively. Devise backup plans for potential delays, considering alternative construction schedules or temporarily relocating critical services. Establish a financial contingency fund to address unexpected budget overruns, ensuring the project stays on track without compromising quality. Regularly review and update the contingency plans as the project progresses, fostering adaptability and preparedness for any unexpected twists in the construction journey.

#8 Talk to Your Team

One of the best ways to create an office space your team loves is to speak directly with them. It may sound obvious, but the truth is that your employees may have ideas, concerns, and preferences that could help you along in the redesign process.

#9 Talk to Your Neighbors

Let your neighbors know if you’re planning construction on your property is always a good policy. This is particularly important if you expect construction crews to make noise that could bother nearby businesses or construction workers may take up public parking spaces.

#10 Call a Professional

If all of this seems like a lot of boxes to tick –– before construction even begins –– then you’re right! The good news is that companies like Key Interiors can help your organization pull off a dental office renovation seamlessly. We have years of experience working with dentists and other medical professionals, have extensive contacts in the construction industry, and can help you handle any logistical challenges that may arise during the redesign process. Contact us here for more information or to get started today!