Our mission is to provide excellent and lasting comprehensive dentistry, using the latest technology in a comfortable environment. Our motto is “Helping you smile with confidence.” My practice philosophy is based on the teachings and principles of the Pankey Institute, where I have completed their continuum of advanced dental education. I believe that one of the most important aspects of dentistry is to build trusting, long-term relationships with my patients. I feel that a thorough examination and proper diagnosis are the keys to not only a successful restorative outcome, but also allow for early detection of problems and a focus on prevention with younger patients. A majority of our patients are over 65, as I practice in an area that is close to the beach with many seasonal residents. I am building my practice to include more young families and I do treat children. My practice is a fee-for-service model that grows mainly by referrals and internal marketing. The financial lessons at the Pankey Institute are what led me to buy my own building and actually downsize the square footage of my practice, going from 6 operatories and 1950 square feet to 4 operatories and 1710 square feet. I do not double book patients, so I only need two operatories for me to work. I strive to always run on time and provide the highest quality of dental care for my patients.

Design Criteria: Design Summary

Design Criteria: Dental Technology

Most of our current dental equipment was moved by Dental Fix Rx from our previous office. The technology that our office utilizes are: Dell computers and server with wireless keyboards and mouse, Wi-Fi for patients, Patterson Eagle Soft software, Schick Elite digital x-ray sensors, Schick USB intraoral camera, Cadent Itero digital scanner, Sybron Endo rotary endodontics, System B/Obtura and Elements diagnostic apex locator, Kavo Diagnodent laser, Picasso diode laser for soft tissue procedures, Kavo micro abrasion units, Nikon D7000 digital camera, Panadent articulators, Smile Reminders patient communication, Send Out Cards, and Caesy dental education software. We use this current technology to properly diagnose patients, educate them on the condition of their mouth and provide them with the highest level of comprehensive care. Future technology for which the office was designed for and that I would like to implement within the next year are a digital PAN or CBCT and an E4D milling machine that is compatible with my Itero scanner. I also plan to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and add touch screen monitors when it becomes a more trusted operating system to use with Eaglesoft. A 3-D printer is another piece of technology that I would like to learn more about and eventually integrate into my practice.

Design Criteria: Dental Equipment

My new office design was created to include the dental equipment from my previous office, since it was in excellent working condition and I wanted to build out my new office within a certain budget. I have Dental Eze and Adec chairs that were recently reupholstered in a grey color. My side delivery units are beige in color and are also Adec. My overhead lights are Pelton and Crane and were grey but painted beige right before moving. Since we were keeping this equipment, the interior designers from Dental Design Associates/Lovetto Interiors, chose Amtico vinyl plank flooring, Silestone quartz countertops, Formica, and carpeting that would incorporate these colors and allow me to choose new colors for future equipment. The cabinets and countertops were custom made to allow my current equipment to be functional and take into account ergonomic and efficiency features found in new, prefabricated designs. The counter space in the wet lab and mechanical room was designed around the dimensions of our current compressor and vacuum pumps. Other equipment that the wet lab houses are a vacuum mixer, model trimmer, Instant hot water faucet, ultrasonic, micro etcher, vucuform machine, hot shot steam cleaner, porcelain oven, hot knife, Upower lab hand piece, bench vacuum, and Redwing lathe. I would like to add a milling machine, such as the E4D, in the future.

Design Criteria: Ergonomics

The designers from Dental Design Associates/Lovetto Interiors, the general contractor, and cabinet maker worked closely together when designing the layout of the operatories and front desk areas, so as much equipment or supplies could be reached with as little movement as possible. Since this was a remodel of a current dental office, we were limited in design by the dimensions of the rooms and we had to make my current equipment fit and function well. Custom multifunctional glove/towel/tissue/cup holders and rear delivery suction and counter space were made for the assistant. Computer monitors were placed on the doctor side of the operatories and behind the patient for the assistant to enter data. All rooms have wireless keyboards and mouse for mobility. Countertops were made narrower than traditional ones, all drawers and cabinets are placed close to where the doctor or assistant is sitting and have soft close mechanisms and easy to grab handles with no corners on them to catch clothing. The front desk area was made in a semi-circular design, allowing the two front desk staff members to only have to swivel to reach most things that they need. Computer keyboards are mounted on ergonomical keyboard trays under the countertop to give them more workspace. This is a big improvement from our old front desk which was linear and difficult to see over.

Design Criteria: Aesthetics

I have a calm and relaxed practice philosophy, and therefore want patients to feel comfortable and experience a difference at my office. Being from a waterfront community in South Florida, I wanted to give my office a traditional and coastal look with a homey feel. I wanted to have a light colors used to brighten up my office, which is unlike many other dental office designs that I reviewed. I had many ideas about the look and style that I wanted and expressed them to the designers, along with some pictures of other offices that had captured this look. They picked out all of the materials, custom moldings, furniture, concepts and colors. Carpeting was selected for the reception area and hallways to cut down on noise, along with Amtico vinyl plank flooring in a lime-washed wood look, in the operatories, lab, lounge, bathrooms and sterilization areas. With this material, there is very little foot traffic noise, echoes or sounds if an instrument is dropped. We also added additional insulation to the walls and ceiling for noise abatement. The patients are very impressed and love the new look of the office over the contemporary 1990’s look of my previous office. They seem to find the moldings and waynes coating, along with the furniture, art work and fish tank particularly appealing. The new office design has definitely increased productivity by the staff and a lot of their input was used in the design of the office. They can take pride in the design, knowing their ideas are valued and in the outcome. It is nice to now have an office that reflects the quality of dentistry that we provide for our patients.

Design Advice: Dental Technology

I would recommend first talking with your supply representative, or a dentist that you know who has recently designed a new office, who can refer quality architects, contractors and interior designers. Gather ideas before talking to designers. I found ideas and inspiration from many different places, such as magazines, the internet, supply catalogues, dental conferences with trade shows, showrooms and other dental offices. Once you have your ideas, meet with a designer and set a budget for your project, in order for them to pick out the proper materials and equipment for your office. You can then decide if you will finance the project yourself, through the supply company, or if it will require a loan. I learned that you need to have a good team of professionals that can work well together. Do not try to do too much of the work yourself (I am a DIY) but rather leave it up to the professionals, as our time is much better spent doing dentistry. Finally, do not skimp if there is something you really want. There were a few things I didn’t do to try and stay within budget. I saved several thousand dollars, but in the long run it is really not that much and I could have afforded it. For some of us younger dentists, this is where you may spend the next 25 or 30 years of your life, so do it right and make sure you are happy going to work every day!