Did you know that 37 million American adults don't have dental coverage?
Dental costs and anxiety about dental visits play a big part in whether Americans have dental coverage. That's why it's important for your dental practice to be proactive when it comes to payment plans and the presentation of your office.
In this guide, we'll be looking at how to design a modern dental office to ensure your patients feel comfortable and safe.
Jump to:
Step One: Consider Your Patients
The first thing you need to do when it comes to implementing a modern dental office design in your practice is to think about your patients. Based on their demographics and personal preferences you can design a modern-day dental office that helps to put them at ease. The office should also appeal and be appropriate for your patients.
For example, if your practice mainly caters to families then your office and waiting room should be designed to be child-friendly. You might choose to add bright colors and a playroom with toys for the children while they wait. You could also have TVs with educational videos playing so the children know what to expect.
Whereas, if your practice caters to individuals then you might want to spend more on your modern dental office decor. So, you could invest in some statement art pieces.
Whoever your patients are, it's important to cater to them. It might be useful to ask your current patients for feedback on your practice and see if they offer any modernization suggestions.
Step Two: Make Use of Your Space
Modern dental office waiting rooms need to be clean, and efficient and rely on minimal clutter. Keep the room layout simple and easy to navigate so that your patients immediately feel at ease when they enter.
Carefully position chairs and tables in the waiting room so that your patients can wait however they want. For example, families will want a communal area and entertainment. Whereas an individual might prefer privacy and play on their phone.
Using your office's space effectively can help improve your employee's productivity and put your patients at ease. Try to find storage solutions that aren't bulky and opt for digital storage where possible.
When it comes to decorations for your practice, you might decide that educational information is right for your office. Switch up traditional posters stuck to walls for digital signage and digital displays, as these will help keep your office looking sleek and modern. Using technology to inform your patients is a great way to keep them entertained while they wait and also offers the perfect opportunity to advertise your services.
Step Three: Opt for an Open Plan With Personal Space
Most patients prefer modern dental office designs that offer an open-plan space. When they walk through the door, they want to step into your front office complete with a waiting room. This means you need to combine your front desk in the waiting room and ensure the flow of the space works well.
However, privacy is needed in dental practices, so before you go knocking down walls, you need to also think about personal space. Personal space and privacy are needed for patients when they leave the waiting room and go for their treatments.
Personal space and privacy are also needed for your employees. When you're designing an office space, make sure you create spaces where staff can relax and unwind. You might also decide to create a separate entrance for employees, where they can leave work without seeing patients.
Step Four: Think About the Flow
Modern dental office layouts create a consistent flow throughout the building. Patients expect a circular experience when they go to the dentist, which means you need to think about where to place your waiting room and treatment rooms.
Patients want to be able to find their way easily from stepping into the dental office to the reception, to the treatment room, to the recovery room, and then back to reception. To ensure the patient experience is a breeze you could also add arrows and signage to help newcomers find their way around your practice.
Step Five: Focus on Your Interior Design
First impressions matter, especially for patients who are scared about visiting the dentist. That's why you need to focus your time and energy on the interior design of your dental clinic. This includes the color of your walls, the furniture you have, the decor in the office, and the lighting.
Choosing a suitable color scheme for your practice is the most difficult (and important) part of the interior design process. You need to pick colors that are in alignment with your business, that portray professionalism, and put your patients at ease.
Neutral colors are great for keeping your clinic looking modern, professional, and clean. However, adding some color might also help put your patients at ease. Relaxing colors to match with neutral colors include soothing blues and greens.
If you do choose a neutral color, such as beige, you might decide to add color in other ways. For example, you could add some plants to the room, put up some artwork, or make use of colorful furniture.
Not sure where to take the interior design of your office? Then get more inspiration from these dentist office interior design ideas.
Create Your Ideal Modern Dental Office Now
Follow our step-by-step guide to create your ideal modern dental office and see how well your patients respond. Remember to put your patient's needs first, but to also consider your employees when designing a modern dental practice.
Be sure to read some of our other business articles if this one has helped to transform your dental clinic for the better.
