Come join us this Friday, 10 July for this month’s Indiana Dental Education and Resource Association Membership Meeting. Mix & Mingle with dental industry professionals, make new connections, and say “hello” to friends.

We’ll be meeting from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Abuelo’s Traders Point, 5910 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis. Hope to see you there!

Today, all across the U.S. people are pausing from their normal labors to celebrate the birth of the country. Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence that became the Vision Statement for a new nation. This document was the spark that was necessary to bind the 13 independent colonies together against a common enemy. This document was the guiding vision that serves as the basis for the Constitution that has stood the test of time and established the rule of law for a free people.

As you and yours are celebrating Independence Day, take a moment to reflect upon the Vision Statement for your dental office. Does is guide all of the decisions and actions taken by you and your staff just as the Declaration of Independence guides our nation? A good vision statement should, and I would encourage you to give careful consideration to the creation of a proper Vision Statement if you don’t have one.

Also, before embarking on a new dental office design, definitely take some time to craft a proper Vision Statement for your practice. This Vision will become the basis from which all future actions flow.

In a recent meeting with clients we began discussing where to place the CPU in the operatories in order to maximize space utilization and provide proper computing power. These particular clients are moving all of their operatories to rear delivery rather than a mix of some rear and some side delivery of services. Once we’d run down all of the things they wanted to see in their 12:00 cabinets, it became apparent that there was little room left for the CPU. Thus, as part of the new dental office design, we took a look at the central island units.

The placement of the CPU in the central island units immediately made sense. These units are already designed to share the X-ray equipment between two operatories. Why not share computing power, too? With the placement of the CPU in the lower portion of the island unit, we have freed spaced from the 12:00 unit and improved the space utilization in this cabinet.

We’ve also looked at the number of monitors required for the new office and the proper placement of these. The doctors definitely want a monitor and keyboard in the 12:00 unit for their own use. Plus, by keeping this information behind the patient, it reduces the chances of accidental disclosure of other patient information, which is a big HIPPA consideration. We’re also looking at a second monitor to be either ceiling mounted or wall mounted on the central island unit for patient viewing. These monitors can be run off the same CPU and deliver different content than the primary one in the 12:00 cabinets.

The day was absolutely gorgeous.  In the low ‘80’s with low humidity and abundant sun, just the way I like it.  Of course, I had the top down on the car.  I was driving along through the countryside this afternoon after visiting a client in a small town and thinking about how life differs in small, rural communities as compared with that in larger towns, cities, and suburbs.  Without sounding like a cliché, the pace of life and expectations of businesses is just different in small communities as compared with their larger cousins.

This difference is also true in the dental office design for doctors serving rural communities.  The same interior branding message that attracts clients to an upper middle class suburban practice may very well turn off the residents in a small farm community as way too ostentatious.  A minimalistic, modern urban office design may strike these same folks as downright strange.  This is why it is so critical to understand the tastes of the patients as well as those of the dentist before embarking on a new dental office design and interior branding project.

Beyond the cultural differences created by size are those that arise from geographic location, ethnicity, and religion that must be taken into consideration as part of the dental office design.  Separate entrances and operatories may be necessary for men and women, for example, or increased privacy may be necessary to protect a client’s identity.  A dental office design that works well in Middle America may be a complete disaster in southern Europe, rural China, or the Middle East. 

While I can’t say I’ve worked in all these places, I can say I work very hard to get to know my clients and am always eager to learn as much as I can about them, their patients, and the culture they are operating in.  I find it incredibly satisfying to be able to apply what I learn to creating a dental office design that speaks to the unique and varied needs of my clients and the markets they serve.

The key to a successful dental office design project is proper planning. By starting the project early enough to allow sufficient time for each step along the way, everything can happen in due course, nothing need be rushed, and every team member can put their best foot forward to assure a high quality, successful result to the dental office design project. However, when things aren’t done when they are supposed to be done, it is often difficult to work around a solution.

For example, on a recent project the dental client and I began discussing furniture office for the new dental office design twelve weeks before the scheduled opening. This should be sufficient time for almost any furniture choices. I break this down as four weeks for selection and eight weeks for ordering and delivery. The issue arose when the dental client could not make a decision. Over the course of the twelve weeks, without being pushy, I would ask about the selections and even offer alternatives to the original choices selected. Procrastination ruled the day, however.

Five days, including a weekend, before the new office was scheduled to open and start seeing patients the dental client asked, “So, what are we doing about furniture?” Ugh!!! Nothing can be ordered and received in only three working days! Even most retail showrooms will not sell furniture off their showroom floor and the pieces have to be ordered. I even looked at what we could get as a temporary measure from Office Depot and Target. Everything I found even there that would come close to working needed to be ordered.

Through a lot of phone calls, visits to showrooms, and time spent on-line, I was able to find a temporary solution at the 11th hour that will give the dental patients something to sit on in the waiting room when they show up on opening day. Life shouldn’t have to be this hard.

So, when you’re putting together that master schedule for your dental office design project, pay attention. The timing of the various aspects are there for a reason and not just an arbitrary selection. They really do make things flow much smoother.

I’m always on the hunt for fun and interesting materials that can be incorporated into my dental office designs. For some time now I’ve been itching to incorporate some of the resin materials, such as 3form, Lumicor, or Bella Lucent, that have natural organics in them into furniture pieces that can be used on a patio or atrium style space. One of the roadblocks with this has been that none of the products are rated for outdoor use. So, what is an industrious designer going to do?

Well, I decided to test one of the products myself. I got a sample of Bella Lucent’s Prairie Grass pattern and put it outside. I did this last October. The panel has sat there in the sun, rain, snow, sleet, and cold for almost nine full months now. Guess what? There is absolutely no sign of fogging, internal damage to the organics, or resin breakdown whatsoever. This is what I was expecting.

I realize this is not a scientific test of the material and while Indiana undergoes some extreme temperature ranges, the sample has not been tested under the most brutal of conditions. We don’t get as hot as Phoenix or as cold as Fairbanks, but I think it is safe to say, the material is durable enough for use in a semi-protected outdoor space in most climates.

Now, think of the fun that can be had designing one-of-a-kind tables, chairs, and outdoor rooms using this type of material. If you are lucky enough to have an office location that can incorporate a patio or partial outdoor waiting space for your patients and staff, your ability to further differentiate and brand your dental office is enhanced. I’m really looking forward to my first opportunity to assist a client with utilizing this in their dental office design and interior, or not so interior, branding message!

This morning I had my six month cleaning with my own dentist.  I suppose that since I spend so much time working on dental office designs and have a great relationship with Dr Alexander and his hygienist, Gretchen, I always look forward to my visits.  This morning was no exception.  In fact, Gretchen and I had to interrupt my cleaning as we worked each other up into a great laughing fit this morning.  Laughing is not exactly an easy thing to do when fully reclined with a mouth full of water!

Isn’t this how a trip to one’s dentist should go, however?  Shouldn’t it be a fun experience that you look forward to every six months?  I think so.

Dr Alexander has two offices.  One is newer and larger and incorporates many of the newer design ideas of what a dental office should look like.  The one I like to go to, however, is his older and smaller office.  He’s recently done a simple update to this office, incorporating the ideas of the first element of interior branding, Color, Light, & Texture, in a fresh color scheme, new furniture in the waiting room, and new artwork on the walls.  The space looks great!

Even so, what I believe makes the greatest impact on Dr Alexander’s branding message in this space is the people.  They really understand the importance of the second element which is Human Interaction.   If they didn’t I can’t imagine getting into such a laughing fit as I did this morning.  Going to see them is just plain fun! They really are true to their branding message, “Making People Smile!” Now, my challenge it is to help every client create their own unique dental office design and branding message that leaves their patients feeling this way!

On every dental office design project issues arise during construction. Sometimes the issues could have been prevented with better communication between the various parties working on the project. Sometimes they should have been foreseen and were merely overlooked due to other distractions along the way. And, sometimes they are merely the results of mistakes made. After all, we’re all human. The key to a successful project is the approach taken in dealing with finding solutions to the issues when they arise.

Personally, I find it much more enjoyable and better off for all parties involved to brainstorm and find creative solutions to the issues. I’ve never found getting all upset and screaming and yelling and pointing fingers to be the least bit constructive. All these behaviors accomplish is to make continuing to work together challenging and usually ends up costing the project more in time, money, and delays.

When any issue arises my goal is to find out the root cause is, why did the issue occur, and what are the obvious options for dealing with and resolving the issue. Sometimes, however, creative solutions must be found.

For example, a client is currently not going to finish out all of the operatories in the dental office. No big deal, other than the only two people that were aware of this was the dentist and the equipment provider. This poses an issue for the contractor in how to best finish off the plumbing and electrical connections in the floor in order to pass inspection. One solution proposed was to build boxes, finish them in a laminate to match the casework and use them to cover the pipes. Not a bad idea, but probably not the least expensive approach. After a bit of brainstorming, a trip to Target, and a simple resin box was found that will do the job quite nicely for $14. It even comes in a color that coordinates with the rest of the dental office design! Problem solved at minimal cost and no delay to the project.

In my mind this is the essence of customer service: bringing value to clients by addressing issues calmly, rationally, and looking for the best cost solution.

Well, I had a great day in Chicago at NEOCON.  I could have spent much more time visiting various booths and looking for great new products and ideas to incorporate into dental office designs.  Here are some of my favorites finds from yesterday.

Environmentally friendly leather hides from Green Hides Leather Studio.  These great looking hides are dyed in an eco-friendly method that has earned them certification from the Environmentally-Friendly Furniture Certification.

Totally customizable laminated glass panels from JEBerkowitz.  The creative possibilities for these panels is seemingly endless.  Plus, with a better acoustical rating than drywall, I see great new ways to create room dividers between dental office operatories!  Think teeth and smiles!

Speaking of teeth and smiles, how about putting them on leather furniture? SIF Technology Digital Leather will put any image onto a leather hide in true Pantone color.  This stuff is really fun and it feels good, too!  Now, you can have smiles all over your leather chairs or sofas.

Also, for the waiting room is the Mod chair from Leland International.  This little chair will give any dental waiting room or consult room and real lift.  And for really clean lines, the Valeri Lounge, also from Leland is hard to beat.

Now, for those of you thinking of building your own building, how about making it greener by adding a green roof?  Or how about a green wall?  The folks at Nedlaw Living Roofs can incorporate the design of a new roof into your new dental office design.  They say they’ve done a living roof as small as 300 square feet.  Just think of how much potential there is in your new dental building to make it more eco-friendly!

Last, but certainly not least, are 3form’s three new cores to their Struttura line that add new pop to this already amazing product – Float Large, Float Small, and Fizz.  Plus, with Frame and Slide, translucent walls and doors just became easier!

I’m already thinking about how I can incorporate some of these finds into existing dental office design projects, but I can hardly wait to bring these incredible finds to new projects and new dental office design clients.

My posts this week are going to be on a bit of a different schedule than normal.  Tomorrow morning I’m catching a bus to run up to Chicago to NEOCON for the day.  This should be a fun, educational, and beneficial trip – even if it is a long day.  While at the show, I’ll be scoping out the latest trends in furniture, flooring, lighting, and accessory products that I can incorporate into my dental office designs.  While I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting things that will make my clients’ dental office designs unique and cutting edge, it is good once-in-a-while to be able to see the latest and greatest in person rather than just via the Internet. 

Of course, another big advantage of visiting a trade show like NEOCON is to be able to interface with vendor reps and colleagues.  Thanks to the folks at Bradford Systems, I won’t have to do the driving tomorrow on my venture up and back.  While at the show I specifically want to check out the latest from 3form, Beaufurn, and Amtico – all are vendors that I like to use in dental office designs whenever possible.

Later in the week I’ll be heading off to Kansas  City, MO.  Consequently, for my regular readers, I’ll be posting today, Tuesday, and Thursday rather than my usual M, W, F posts.  Hope this doesn’t through anyone off.  Have a wonderful week!