This scenario poses plenty of opportunities for a practitioner but also several challenges, as you strive to create a functional, ergonomic, efficient and attractive practice.
Whether you’re building a new location for your expanding dental practice or you’re starting a new business from scratch, there are several fundamental concepts that can help you on your way. Here are the first things you should consider for new dental clinic design.
UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR WORKSPACE WILL LOOK LIKE
Understanding what your clinic will look like on a day-to-day basis is less about its actual appearance and more about the schedule and flow of activities. Consider the kind of treatments you will be offering and the sort of space you will need to most effectively carry out your work.
Things to consider include the positioning of equipment in treatment areas and how to ergonomically design an exam room for doctor and patient comfort. You will also need to make special considerations for any large equipment as well as diagnostic tools. For example, x-ray shielding will need to be built into the walls if you’re planning on offering dental x-rays.
Beyond the physical treatment space, you also need to consider the daily activities of administration and reception staff. What kind of facilities will they need and how can this be balanced with the third major consideration – the patient waiting room?
MATCH YOUR NEEDS WITH YOUR FLOORPLAN
Once you understand the daily flow of activity, you can work to effectively implement this with your available space. Designing a floor plan that maximises the efficient use of every square metre of space is essential to your clinic design.
Working with a dental practice design and fit-out specialist will be incredibly valuable at this stage in the process.
INCLUDE EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR DESIGN
New dental equipment and technology will be invaluable to a new practice, so you should strive to embrace this during your new build. You will need things like dental lights, sterilisation equipment and treatment centres, as well as everyday technology for patient management, accounting and even entertainment purposes.
Having new equipment supplied as part of the design process can ensure that you have the latest tools and that they’re thoughtfully integrated into your new clinic.
SHOOT FOR A STRIKING DESIGN
Practical considerations are important, but a new dental clinic should also be appealing, professional and welcoming. Take advantage of the fact that you’re building from the ground up to create a contemporary exterior façade and thoughtful interior architectural features. Your environment should reflect your intentions as a practitioner, so work with the experts to create comforting waiting rooms, professional reception areas and confident treatment spaces.
KEEP YOUR BUDGET AT THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND
Throughout the entire process, from the initial concept to equipment acquisition, your budget should remain at the centre of your thinking. An effective dental office design will balance each of the considerations above without stretching the budget beyond its limits.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUILD A DENTAL CLINIC IN MELBOURNE?
For complete assistance with new dental clinic design, construction and fit-outs in Melbourne and Regional Victoria, talk to Dentequip. We provide healthcare design solutions for a full range of clinics, from dental to veterinary, renovations to new builds.
