DENTAL OFFICE DESIGN: MISTAKES

DENTAL OFFICE DESIGN: MISTAKES Design for Health logo

Nine of the Most Common Mistakes Encountered in Dental Design Projects

1. Overestimating the Problem.
Maybe you need a new office... then again, maybe you don't. Just because things have gotten a little out of control in your present space doesn't necessarily mean that a new office is inevitable. Usually dental workplaces "evolve" over the course of years as you adapt to changes in your practice. Perhaps traffic flow is suffering now, or your sterilization area has become less than adequate. Modern approaches to dental office design result in many space saving features that reduce operating costs and provide greater efficiency. Before increasing your lease payments and absorbing relocation costs, consider less costly solutions within your current office that would get you back on track.

2. Selecting a Location Based Solely on Square Footage.
Most people work with a realtor to find a new space. Usually the criteria used to find a space is inadequate to determine how well the space will actually work for you. Square footage is one factor, but subtler aspects may shape how usable the space really is and how much of it you will need. Here are some things to look for: Are the existing plumbing, electrical and mechanical services adequate to satisfy your professional needs? Are there any load bearing columns or partitions? Will the window spacing, solar orientation and views support your design requirements? Is there adequate parking? Are the lease conditions acceptable; for instance is the lease term long enough to justify your investment and is the building owner willing to participate in the cost of the tenant improvements?

3. Overlooking Items When Budgeting and Scheduling.
Moving expenses, start-up costs, phones, computer networks, sound systems, intercoms and security systems are but a few of the items that often get thought about late in the game. Treated as afterthoughts, these become more costly, less effective, and are often very disruptive. Remember that each item has scheduling as well as cost implications and must be implemented on time to keep the project moving smoothly. When evaluating these options, consider also life cycle costs and not just initial expenditures.

4. Underestimating the Value of a Good Design.
Many people have the mistaken notion that a skilled designer is a luxury whose main purpose is to wrap the project in an attractive package. Design is, in fact, a synthesis of many factors that are crucial to the success of your project: the functional, spatial and relational requirement of each of your spaces; the interrelationships between you, your staff and your patients; codes and life safety considerations; budgetary requirements; equipment requirements; consideration of the existing mechanical and structural conditions; and finally, the critical visual element, the atmosphere of the created environment. When combined skillfully by a qualified architect, these factors will reinforce one another and translate into an office that will enhance every aspect of your practice and further your success.

5. Excluding Your Staff from the Process.
It's important for you to maintain control, but there are often great benefits to involving your staff early in the design process. Their day to day involvement with the details of your practice frequently gives them insights into problems that you are too busy to notice. Often you will discover something about how they work or could work better. And almost always, getting your staff's input will make them more receptive to whatever plans you implement.

6. Compiling a Bid List from Weak Sources.
Everyone has friends that have used a contractor at one point or another. Chances are you could accumulate a bid list with five phone calls. But are you really tapping into the most effective resources for you? Do they have experience in dental construction? Can they furnish you with favorable references? Are they skilled in good construction practices; properly motivated; free of scheduling conflicts? Make sure the contractors on your list are truly qualified for your project.

7. Accepting Bids from Inadequate Drawings.
If you have not provided a complete set of Working Drawings and Specifications, there is little to hold a contractor to the quality of construction you have in mind. This leaves the door open for the contractor to cut corners or charge you dearly for change orders and additions after he has won the bid and the competition is out of the picture. Solving the problems on paper and not in the field will save you time, money and aggravation.

8. Failing to Coordinate Changes.
Often a change will be made that will affect other members of the project team. Make sure that all involved are aware of the change. It is easy enough to decide to move a wall, but the design fo the cabinets may also need revision. Does it affect the fire sprinklers? Heating? Electrical? Someone who understands all the ramifications should coordinate the changes. The result will be a smoother job, with deadlines and budgets maintained.

9. Trying to Shoulder Too Much Responsibility Yourself.
You are a highly trained dental professional. Chances are, there are precious few opportunities in yoru day for returning calls or handling outside issues. Redoing your office will put you in the midst of a disruptive process; there will be more than enough other details requiring your attention. Why would you want to spend time you don't have, trying to do a job you're not trained for, at the worst possible time?

[Project Tours] | [Scope of Services] | [Company Profile] | [Feedback] [Home]

			Nine of the Most Common Mistakes Encountered in Dental Design Projects
			1. Overestimating the Problem. Maybe you need a new office... then again, maybe you don't. Just because things have gotten a little out of control in your present space doesn't necessarily mean that a new office is inevitable. Usually dental workplaces "evolve" over the course of years as you adapt to changes in your practice. Perhaps traffic flow is suffering now, or your sterilization area has become less than adequate. Modern approaches to dental office design result in many space saving features that reduce operating costs and provide greater efficiency. Before increasing your lease payments and absorbing relocation costs, consider less costly solutions within your current office that would get you back on track.

			2. Selecting a Location Based Solely on Square Footage. Most people work with a realtor to find a new space. Usually the criteria used to find a space is inadequate to determine how well the space will actually work for you. Square footage is one factor, but subtler aspects may shape how usable the space really is and how much of it you will need. Here are some things to look for: Are the existing plumbing, electrical and mechanical services adequate to satisfy your professional needs? Are there any load bearing columns or partitions? Will the window spacing, solar orientation and views support your design requirements? Is there adequate parking? Are the lease conditions acceptable; for instance is the lease term long enough to justify your investment and is the building owner willing to participate in the cost of the tenant improvements?

			3. Overlooking Items When Budgeting and Scheduling. Moving expenses, start-up costs, phones, computer networks, sound systems, intercoms and security systems are but a few of the items that often get thought about late in the game. Treated as afterthoughts, these become more costly, less effective, and are often very disruptive. Remember that each item has scheduling as well as cost implications and must be implemented on time to keep the project moving smoothly. When evaluating these options, consider also life cycle costs and not just initial expenditures.

			4. Underestimating the Value of a Good Design. Many people have the mistaken notion that a skilled designer is a luxury whose main purpose is to wrap the project in an attractive package. Design is, in fact, a synthesis of many factors that are crucial to the success of your project: the functional, spatial and relational requirement of each of your spaces; the interrelationships between you, your staff and your patients; codes and life safety considerations; budgetary requirements; equipment requirements; consideration of the existing mechanical and structural conditions; and finally, the critical visual element, the atmosphere of the created environment. When combined skillfully by a qualified architect, these factors will reinforce one another and translate into an office that will enhance every aspect of your practice and further your success.

			5. Excluding Your Staff from the Process. It's important for you to maintain control, but there are often great benefits to involving your staff early in the design process. Their day to day involvement with the details of your practice frequently gives them insights into problems that you are too busy to notice. Often you will discover something about how they work or could work better. And almost always, getting your staff's input will make them more receptive to whatever plans you implement.

			6. Compiling a Bid List from Weak Sources. Everyone has friends that have used a contractor at one point or another. Chances are you could accumulate a bid list with five phone calls. But are you really tapping into the most effective resources for you? Do they have experience in dental construction? Can they furnish you with favorable references? Are they skilled in good construction practices; properly motivated; free of scheduling conflicts? Make sure the contractors on your list are truly qualified for your project.

			7. Accepting Bids from Inadequate Drawings. If you have not provided a complete set of Working Drawings and Specifications, there is little to hold a contractor to the quality of construction you have in mind. This leaves the door open for the contractor to cut corners or charge you dearly for change orders and additions after he has won the bid and the competition is out of the picture. Solving the problems on paper and not in the field will save you time, money and aggravation.

			8. Failing to Coordinate Changes. Often a change will be made that will affect other members of the project team. Make sure that all involved are aware of the change. It is easy enough to decide to move a wall, but the design fo the cabinets may also need revision. Does it affect the fire sprinklers? Heating? Electrical? Someone who understands all the ramifications should coordinate the changes. The result will be a smoother job, with deadlines and budgets maintained.

			9. Trying to Shoulder Too Much Responsibility Yourself. You are a highly trained dental professional. Chances are, there are precious few opportunities in yoru day for returning calls or handling outside issues. Redoing your office will put you in the midst of a disruptive process; there will be more than enough other details requiring your attention. Why would you want to spend time you don't have, trying to do a job you're not trained for, at the worst possible time?