DENTAL OFFICE DESIGN: SCOPE OF DESIGN SERVICES
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Scope of Design Services

Each Full Service project is typically comprised of five phases: Preliminary Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Construction. Depending on the nature of the project (new construction/new building, new construction/existing building, remodel, addition, etc.), its location, time schedule, etc., our scope of services may include any or all of the following phases. We also provide partial services (most commonly on out-of-state projects) for just the Preliminary Design and Design Development phases, with consultation available during the Construction Document phase.

Preliminary Design Phase:

  1. Program Development
    1. Coordination of project team (contractor, interior designer, equipment supplier, etc.)
    2. Budget review
    3. Lease review and Tenant Improvements (T.I.'s) analysis
    4. Visiting/reviewing similar projects
    5. General design considerations and completion of a detailed Programming Questionnaire:
      1. Philosophy of practice
      2. Staff projections
      3. Office procedures and staff responsibility review
      4. Operatory design
      5. Design of ancillary rooms
      6. Inventory of existing equipment and projected needs

  1. Project Site Analysis of Building Conditions
    1. Field measure all existing conditions and analyze space for structural and mechanical limitations:
      1. Structural walls, columns, beams, floors and ceilings
      2. Window locations and operation
      3. Solar orientation
      4. Exterior views
      5. Handicap accessibility
      6. Parking considerations
      7. Plumbing service
      8. Electrical service
      9. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning requirements (HVAC)
      10. Access above ceiling and below floor
    1. Review existing or proposed building plans and specifications
    2. Take on site record photographs
    3. Review special building problems and hidden structural elements with building owner or his representative

  1. Design Presentations
    1. Includes scaled CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings showing the location of all major equipment, furnishings, cabinets and storage, etc., so as to facilitate a complete understanding of the proposed scheme(s).

  1. Design Modifications
    1. Refining the Preliminary Design until the client is completely satisfied that maximum usage has been made of the project site.

Design Development Phase:

  1. Reviewing the Preliminary Design with the interior designer to achieve a coordinated finished product
    1. Floor coverings
    2. Wall coverings
    3. Furnishings
    4. Window coverings
    5. Special lighting
    6. Color coordination
    7. Special interior design details

  1. Reviewing the Preliminary Design with the Client and developing appropriate details
    1. Final equipment selection
    2. Intercom system
    3. Background music selection
    4. Computer system
    5. Special construction details
  1. Preliminary Ceiling Design
    1. Location of lay-in and gypsum board ceilings
    2. Design and location of gypsum board soffits
    3. Locations and generic specifications of all lighting fixtures
    4. Other ceiling element locations (exhaust fans, dental lights, speakers, etc.)
  1. Perspective Studies
    1. Computer generated three dimensional perspectives of some of the critical areas of the office suite in order to enhance an early understanding of the finished project
  1. Preliminary Cabinetry Design
    1. Three dimensional isometric drawings
    2. Location of all doors and drawers
    3. Location of all accessories and plumbing fixtures
    4. Special built-in cabinets and furniture
  1. Cabinetry Drawings
    1. Specifications for finishes, hardware, accessory dispensing boxes, etc.
    2. Operatory cabinets
    3. Sterilization cabinets
    4. Laboratory cabinets
    5. Reception desk and counters
    6. Dark Room cabinets
    7. Office cabinets
    8. Staff Room cabinets
    9. Special built-in cabinets as the project may dictate

Construction Document Phase:

  1. Architectural Plans
    1. Demolition plan
    2. Partition locations, heights & details (e.g., soundproofing, finishes, etc.)
    3. Door and Window schedules and details
    4. Door and Window elevations
    5. Toilet Room wall elevations (and others as necessary)
    6. Wall and building sections, where applicable
    7. Special carpentry and detailing (e.g., backing for x-rays, etc.)

  1. Reflected Ceiling Plan
    1. Ceiling construction and specifications
    2. Location of ceiling grid
    3. Ceiling support and soffit details
    4. Location of all ceiling elements, including lights, exhaust fans, speakers, dental lights, etc.
    5. Ceiling and soffit height designations
    6. Special carpentry for hanging fixtures (e.g., ceiling mounted dental lights)
    7. Mechanical system notes and exhaust fan specifications

  1. Electrical Plan
    1. Location of electrical panel and telephone board
    2. General electric service for utility outlets
    3. Dental equipment wiring specifications
    4. X-ray wiring specifications
    5. Dedicated circuits for computers and other equipment (as required)
    6. Dental Junction Boxes and all equipment requiring electrical service (view boxes, refrigerators, etc.)
    7. Location of computer outlets, telephone jacks, speaker volume controls, intercom units, etc.

  1. Lighting Plan
    1. Lighting schedule, including descriptions, manufacturer's stock numbers and lamping specifications
    2. Light fixture locations and switching design
    3. Special lighting installation details
    4. Coordinate required documentation for energy conservation

  1. Plumbing Plan
    1. Waste lines and venting (loop vent detail, etc.)
    2. Water manifold and cold water lines to Dental Junction Boxes
    3. Central high volume evacuation system
    4. Compressed air system
    5. Natural gas lines
    6. Medical gas system (nitrous oxide, oxygen and nitrogen)
    7. Location and specifications of all plumbing fixtures

  1. Cabinetry Drawings
    1. Specifications for finishes, hardware, accessory dispensing boxes, etc.
    2. Operatory cabinets
    3. Sterilization cabinets
    4. Laboratory cabinets
    5. Reception desk and counters
    6. Dark Room cabinets
    7. Office cabinets
    8. Staff Room cabinets
    9. Special built-in cabinets as the project may dictate

Bidding Phase:

  1. Selection of Bidders--general construction and cabinet makers
  2. Invitation to Bidder--separate documents for general contractors and cabinet makers
  3. Analysis of bids
  4. Selection of General Contractor and his sub-contractors and Cabinet Maker
  5. Agreement between Client and General Contractor
  6. Construction schedule

Construction Phase:

On-site observation of construction to help assure that the project as related in the Construction Documents is carried out by the general contractor and his sub-contractors in an effective and satisfactory fashion. These observations may include the following:
  1. Preliminary construction meeting and review of project
  2. Check the wall layout
  3. Check the underground plumbing and electrical installation
  4. Check the construction of the rough framed walls and review the locations of the plumbing and electrical services with the respective sub-contractors
  5. Check the plumbing and electrical installation prior to closing access to the interior of the walls
  6. Check the wall finishes and the ceiling installation
  7. Check the cabinet installation in progress
  8. Final job check (Punch List): finished carpentry, plumbing, electrical, interior finishes and cabinetry
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