N. Texas Dentistry Special Issue 2014 Inside the Exceptional Practice | Page 6

may want to seek out expert guidance
when choosing the best technology for
your needs. Thoughtful planning will
enable you to integrate what you need
today and add to it in the future. Dental
technology continues to expand at an
exponential rate, and the willingness to
embrace new technological advances has
been proven to be a factor in the resilience
of successful dental practices in difficult
economic times. Integrating new technology
can improve your diagnostic accuracy, simplify care, and enhance productivity.
Ergonomically designed tools, equipment and
chairs can increase patient comfort (as well as
your own), and can even improve employee satisfaction. As an added benefit, current technology gives your patients confidence that they are
receiving the best possible care.

RESISTING TRENDS

As our economy slowly regains steam, businesses
are settling into a “new normal” that includes cautious expansion, new construction, and remodeling,
tempered by the desire to spend every dollar wisely.
Dental practices are no exception.

Keep in mind, the new economic realities have impacted everyone. Patients are also more conscious now than ever of where
their dollars go. They respond favorably to offices with a warm,
welcoming, and professional appearance, but may respond neg-

Minimizing waste must begin
with the design of your office
environment, from the floor plan
to the finishes.

atively to over-the-top dental offices if they are perceived as
ostentatious. The physical environment of your practice communicates silently to every person who visits. It will serve as the
“face” of your practice to new and existing patients, and will
speak volumes about the level of care they can expect, even
before your first in-person encounter. Think about the image
you wish to create and discuss your desires with your designer.

INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY
& ERGONOMIC DESIGN

In addition to partnering with a design professional who can
help plan the aesthetics and functionality of your new office, you

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Although the notion of avoiding wastefulness may conjure up
images of conserving consumable items, minimizing waste must
begin with the design of your office environment, from the floor
plan to the finishes.

A builder who understands the needs of a dental practice can
help you make business-wise choices about your office environment. Because remodeling is costly and disruptive, it is neither
feasible nor fiscally responsible to update whenever design
trends shift in a new direction. Making timeless and durable
selections helps to avoid looking outdated too quickly and
ensures that your budget is spent wisely by extending the life of
your new office.

A color scheme that uses neutral colors for fixtures and surfaces
that are more permanent or costly to change and reserves other
colors for more easily or frequently refreshed accessories allows
you to create a space that will stay current and attractive for
years.

THE FUTURE? BRING IT ON!

Your office is one of the largest and most important expenditures you