Designing Your Dental Practice: Function, Perception, and Location

When it comes to designing a dental office, the guiding principle is simple: form follows function. This isn’t just Wally’s favorite phrase to share—it's essential to creating a successful dental practice. Imagine building a beautiful office, only to realize there’s no room for your essential dental equipment. That's the danger of focusing too much on aesthetics before considering functionality and defining your personal style of practicing dentistry. The office needs to be tailored to the specific needs of the dental team and patients. The layout, flow, and every design choice should be dictated by the purpose of the space and your specific equipment selections.

One of the key players in achieving this balance between form and function is the architect. Many dentists often wonder, "Do I really need an architect?" The answer is a resounding yes. An architect ensures that the design isn't just visually pleasing, but that it serves the practical needs of the dental practice. Architects translate the daily demands of running a dental office into a cohesive design, integrating everything from patient flow to the placement of treatment rooms. 

Another piece of advice we always stress is the importance of choosing dental equipment BEFORE beginning to design your office. A skilled architect will take the specifications of the equipment you choose and ensure that it will be functional in the space. This refers to spatial elements as well as proper plumbing and electrical to line up precisely with each unit. The importance of these considerations cannot be understated. Relocating plumbing and electrical lines after construction is one of the most costly problems that occurs far too often.

Perception Is Reality

Another critical aspect of dental office design is understanding that perception is reality. As dentists, many of you might not use the main entrance that patients walk through every day. Instead, you likely have a staff entrance, avoiding the patient-facing part of your practice. But it’s important to step into your patients' shoes—literally. Every once in a while, enter through the front door and take a look around. Walk through the reception area, treatment rooms, and back-office spaces. What do you see?

Your office environment shapes patients' perceptions. An outdated or unkempt waiting room may make them question the quality of care they’ll receive, even if your clinical skills are exceptional. While decor and equipment don’t necessarily reflect a dentist’s expertise, to the patient, they signal something important. In their eyes, a modern, clean, and organized office may indicate top-tier care, while a disorganized or neglected space could lead them to believe otherwise. Your patients will be proud to visit a visually appealing office, and this will inevitably lead to a higher number of referrals and practice growth.

Today, it's easier than ever to get a fresh perspective on your office. Simply turn on your phone, record a video as you walk through, and watch it later. You can even share this video with close friends or family for critiques or advice. It’s a simple exercise that can reveal areas for improvement, ensuring that patients' perceptions align with the reality of the high-quality care you provide.

Choosing the Right Location

Where you choose to set up shop is just as critical as how your office looks and functions. Dental practices can thrive in various settings, from urban professional centers to residential neighborhoods. Each location has its advantages, and the choice depends on your goals, patient base, and long-term plans.

Urban settings offer a professional atmosphere and access to a higher volume of potential patients, often at a lower maintenance cost. Medical office parks, though less common in some regions, provide a hub of dental and medical specialists, making it easier for patients to access comprehensive care in one location. In contrast, shopping centers can be particularly beneficial for general practitioners and pediatric dentists. These locations offer high foot traffic and visibility, which can be invaluable for attracting new patients.

For new practices, leasing space in a shopping center is a common first step. Most new offices will start with around 1,800 to 2,200 square feet, outfitting only a couple of operatories to begin with. However, it’s important to think long-term. As your patient base grows, you’ll likely need more treatment rooms. That’s why it's a smart move to plumb your private office as a potential operatory down the road. By planning for growth, you can avoid costly relocations when your lease ends in five to seven years.

The Hidden Power of Anchor Tenants

Dental practices are attractive tenants for shopping centers. Why? Because dental offices bring in consistent foot traffic, and that traffic varies from day to day. A medical office with the same staff and a handful of patients every day doesn’t have the same appeal to landlords. Dental offices, on the other hand, see different patients daily, which helps drive business to neighboring tenants. This revolving door of patients makes dental practices a valuable anchor tenant, giving you leverage in lease negotiations.

Residential Areas: A Hidden Gem?

Residential neighborhoods are another viable option, but they come with a caveat: you need to understand the demographics and competition. It’s not enough to look at a demographic report and assume you’ll be the only dentist in town. It’s important to dig deeper and understand local nuances.

Take, for example, the case of a dentist who opened a practice in a seemingly saturated area of Memphis. On paper, the neighborhood already had plenty of dentists, but every one of them was located on the same commercial street. On the other side of town, a rapidly growing residential area had no dental practices at all. Understanding this local dynamic allowed the dentist to set up shop in a prime, underserved location, ultimately leading to success.

The Final Takeaway

Designing and opening a dental office is no small feat. It requires thoughtful planning and an understanding that form follows function. But beyond that, it’s about understanding how the design, location, and even the smallest details shape patients' perceptions. From the moment they walk in the door, patients are forming an opinion about the care they’re about to receive. By paying attention to these details, and thinking strategically about location, you can create a practice that not only functions well but also leaves a lasting, positive impression.