Need help designing my reception area for a dental practice

9 years ago

Hi I am converting a terraced house into dental practice and need help with the basic design and layout and reception. I want reception to be a feature.I like the classical look with a touch of modern. Something that will date well. I like wood so I was thinking a custom wooden reception desk with a matching wooden staircase. Plain smooth rendered white walls and a grey slate hardwearing carpet. Do I go with a light or darker oak?Anyone know any specialist wooden carpenters in the North Wales region?

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OnePlan
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If its a in a converted house - perhaps a more Homely feel might relax people better ? With some attractive yet still functional items - I've looked quickly through Google to illustrate what sort of things I mean - I'm imagining natural slate floor - big rug - rocking chairs and the odd wing chair perhaps log burner old pine desk - comfy cushions - coffee table - lamps etc ie do everything to take your mind off the fact that it's a dentist you are about to visit -
Obviously the treatment room can be state of the art white sterile looking stainless steel accessorised professional looking room ... Just a thought !! ( from someone with no fillings that really didn't mind the dentist - but knows people who are terrified of them!)
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minnie101
9 years ago
Hi. I do agree with One Plan, many people are uncomfortable at dentists so maybe a homely look in the reception area will appeal. You can get various flooring types suitable for commercial use that will not date. I would add some colour to the walls (need only be a neutral) and contemporary artwork. Add either upholstered chairs as pictured or maybe leather sofas and chairs that last for years and are classical in design. Add a coffee table with magazines and books and fresh flowers or even a quality artificial orchid or similar. A custom desk would be great but do look at "antique" desks that would save you money. Maybe add a contemporary floor lamp.
L thanked minnie101
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vicky lee
9 years ago
What is important is first to look at the function. The room will sometimes be full of children and families, can they all fit? A small chair and table with books can be a boon to make little ones feel at home. The elderly need a higher seat preferably with arms, while some who have just had surgery prefer to stand and a standing desk shelf is good, with a writing area to fill in questionnaire for health and feedback.

Is there hanging space for coats, hats, shopping, suitcases, musical instruments, prams, wet umbrellas, wheelchairs and all the paraphernalia the public carry with them.

My first floor dental surgery waiting room looked out onto the street and I had a wonderful display of flowers in the window box which like the tropical fish tanks of older surgeries is a great reliever of tension.
There needs to be spaces to display treatments available,
a comments book and box for feedback and Space for magazines and pamphlets. Do you need a notice board?
Colours of walls and furniture need to be calming yet bright, cheerful and easy to clean. Do you need a mirror?
People like to check their appearance before leaving. It can also be placed to find patients who slipped in when reception was busy and tuck themselves around the corner and you think they are late.
When all this is taken into account it needs to be personal reflect the warmth of welcome by yourself and staff. We had patients who didn't have an appointment just came in for a quiet rest. That's a good test of whether you have got it right.
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vicky lee
9 years ago
My first answer was waiting room which is often open to reception. Do make sure it functions well and is simple, easy to clean and looks fresh and tidy.
Generally the patients are standing at the desk and receptionist is seated. The patient has to sign things so their side needs to be a desk at standing height, on the other side receptionist's desk is at sitting height. Curved shapes are good. Form and function are priority.
Again you need to list all that needs to be housed in the space and a plan of the area would be a help.
If you are fully digital there should be less storage of notes.
Realistically one needs to take account of what is taking place in the space. I had my practice for 44 years until this year, but it was only in the last few years that we got the design and energy flow right.
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Need help designing my reception area for a dental practice

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OnePlan

minnie101

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