Your ideal dental office design idea may be influenced by the type of dentistry you specialize in. Perhaps you specialize in children’s dental work or maybe you deal with adults more in the cosmetic dentistry area. Your reception and waiting area also needs to be designed to be welcoming and relaxing. While dental offices are meant to be functional, the right design will attract and keep patients. Many people are uncomfortable in dental offices and making their visit as pleasant as possible will ensure that they continue to use your office.
If you are a dentist who specializes in children and families you will want to make your office space warm, friendly and as relaxing as possible. Making sure that children feel at ease in their surroundings will help to ensure a smooth and stress free appointment. Have a couple of rooms that are brightly coloured. Place fun and interesting posters and pictures on the walls to keep the children amused and occupied. Have a small collection of stuffed animals for the children to cuddle if they are nervous. Since the children will be facing the ceiling for the majority of their time in the office, paint murals on the ceiling or place additional posters or pictures. Some dentists have televisions that are placed so that the children can watch their favourite shows or movie during treatment. You will also want to have a few rooms that are painted in calming colours such as pale yellows or blues. These rooms can be used for any adult members of the family that are also patients. Add posters and pictures in these rooms as well.
photo credit: Ruben Nadador
Dental offices that cater to mostly adults require many of the same design features with some minor alterations. Offices should be painted in relaxing colours. Pastel shades are best used to create a calming effect. Buttery yellows, minty greens, sky blues and lilacs are excellent choices. Decorate your walls with colourful pictures. Landscapes are a good choice as are abstract designs. Music should be soothing and played quietly in the background. You may also utilize a television for adults. Adults can be just as nervous as children and the distraction will help them relax.
The first impression get of your dental office is the reception and waiting area. Keep the wall colours pale and calming in the waiting room as well. Patients often spend just as much time in the waiting area as they do in the offices. Keeping them relaxed while they wait is important. Make sure the seating is comfortable. Keep a lot of magazines in a variety of topics on the table in the waiting area to help the patients pass the time. Have a television playing quietly in the background or keep soothing music quietly playing. Having plants or trees can make your patients feel more like they are sitting at home rather than a dental office.
photo credit: Official U.S. Navy Imagery
Dental office design ideas should be both functional and calming. Keep it simple in design and use pale or neutral colours. Use pictures, posters, television and music to distract patients from the fact that they are at a dental office. The goal is to make your patients as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
