Download Building the ideal orthodontic environment

SURGERY DESIGN
Building the ideal orthodontic environment
rthodontist Ronny Marks had
reached the end of the lease on his
Pymble practice and given that it
was looking dated, decided that it was
time to relocate. Established in a busy
suburb, conveniently located opposite the
train station and having ample parking
nearby, he was reluctant to leave the area.
Dr Marks was fortunate in securing
premises in a high quality building next
door. The new premises had the additional
attraction of a north facing aspect with an
abundance of natural light.
After visiting other practices to view the
standard of dental surgery fit-outs, Dr
Marks enlisted the assistance of Tony
Barber, from AL & JA Barber Pty Ltd, to
ensure the new premises were suitable for
fitting out as an orthodontic practice. Constructing dental practices for almost 20
years Mr Barber, with his expert knowl-
O
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edge, assessed the potential site and provided advice on the feasibility of
plumbing and other services prior to
acquisition. Undertaking this assessment
ensured unforseen “traps” and costly oversights were avoided.
Having completed the assessment and
agreeing the site was suitable, Mr Barber
and Dr Marks then commenced discussions
on the best layout. After much deliberation,
they came up with a floor plan that suited
Dr Marks and maximised the space in the
odd-shaped premises. When Dr Marks
raised concerns about the location of his
discussion room, Mr Barber had Katie Fox,
their Interior Designer, review the layout.
Having a fresh set of eyes, Ms Fox was able
to provide Dr Marks with an alternative,
which was implemented in the final design.
The result was a layout that not only met
but exceeded Dr Marks’s ideas and expec-
November/December 2005
tations. It is the combination of Mr Barber’s experience and Ms Fox’s
eye for design that enables them to create a plan that is not only functional but aesthetically pleasing.
Having four dental chairs in an open plan setting enables easy
transition between patients. The ability to move immediately on to
the next patient without needing to wait for the previous chair and
equipment to be sterilised increases efficiency. After looking at the
different options available, Dr Marks decided on a Forrest rear
delivery system from Gunz Dental as it best suited his working
style. Cabinetry was designed around the need to house the services
at the head of the chair and open areas enable the arms to be stored
under the bench when not in use. Mobile drawer units accommodate instruments and provide a work surface at each chair.
Dr Marks was accustomed to having a central open sterilisation
area so it was located adjacent to the surgery. One of the advantages
of having it open is the assistants are able to be seen and are on hand
should Dr Marks require any additional assistance during a treatment. It also allows patients and parents to view sterilisation in
practise, which is becoming more common. The sterilisation area
was designed to process instruments from “dirty to clean” in a oneway flow ensuring adequate space for each procedure and
preventing cross contamination.
A separate laboratory with customised cabinetry was constructed
to house a plaster trap and model trimmer with plenty of wall
storage for stock. As the premises had no external storage area, a
plant room was created off the laboratory to house the Cattani compressor, Cattani wet/dry suction, hot water unit and cross
connection prevention valves. Lining the walls with acoustic insulation as well as locating the laboratory between the plant room and
surgery area reduced noise levels.
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Dental Practice - 191
A separate OPG room was created off the main surgery area for
easy patient access and was constructed to comply with radiation
shielding requirements. During construction, Dr Marks became
aware of the new Kodak 8000c Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric System, which allows seamless integration into the Kodak
Orthodontic Imaging software and wanted to adopt this new technology. Due to the dimensions of the machine, a larger area was
required resulting in modifications to the newly finished partitions.
“Whilst it is sometimes unavoidable, it is preferable to know
which equipment you wish to install at the start of the project as the
alterations increased construction time and were considerably more
costly than if implemented in the original design,” Mr Barber said.
In addition to Dr Marks’s private office, an area was incorporated in the design for the office manager ensuring billing and
patient calls could be undertaken in privacy away from reception
and the waiting area. A dedicated patient office/presentation room
located between the surgery area and reception allows Dr Marks
to take patients and parents to discuss procedures and view presentations using the Kodak Orthodontic Imaging software. A
closed model storage cabinet in the room acts as soundproofing
and makes use of an otherwise wasted space.
To ensure staff felt they had their own area and to comply with
OH&S requirements, a small kitchenette and staff room was
located separate from the treatment and work areas.
The brushing station was modelled off the existing practice as
this worked well. It was strategically located opposite the reception
desk, allowing the receptionist to keep an eye on patients while set
back enough in the hallway to ensure patients had privacy. This
hallway area also houses the purpose-built data cabinet containing
the patch panel, Commander telephone and audio-visual systems.
The reception area was designed to be free from clutter and
provide the receptionist with her own work area. Opening up the
corner of the room provides the dual benefit of having an area for
both incoming and outgoing patients as well as creating a focal
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November/December 2005
Summary
The Practice
Principal
Type of Practice
Location
Size
No of chairs
Dr Ronny Marks
Orthodontic
Pymble, NSW
135 square metres
4
The Team
Design
Senior Designer
Construction
and Joinery
Project Manager
Dental Installers
IT Design &
Installation
AV Design &
Installation
AL & JA Barber Pty Ltd
Katie Fox
AL & JA Barber Pty Ltd
Tony Barber
Gunz Dental and Willam Green Pty Ltd
Nulogic Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd
Day Night Technologies
Equipment
Units
X-Ray
Autoclave
Compressor
Suction
Software
Telephones
point upon entering the practice. Custommade cabinetry accommodates patient
cards behind the desk for easy access. A
set ceiling with recessed down lights was
installed to produce a warm welcoming
feeling in the waiting/reception area.
As an essential component of the Kodak
Orthotrac practice management software,
the computer check-in module is located
adjacent to the reception area allowing
patients to “self check-in” on arrival. The
waiting room was
designed to accommodate the Teknion
frame seating system
from GGI Office
Systems, perfect for a high traffic practice.
As colour creates a variety of emotional
characteristics, Ms Fox, a qualified colour
consultant, presented the team with several
schemes from which to choose. The initial
colour palette concepts included a bold,
vibrant scheme and a subtle, neutral
scheme. Although patients are primarily
young, Dr Marks’ wife, Dana, felt that the
image portrayed to parents was important
194 - Dental Practice
and so the later was chosen. With this in
mind, Ms Fox created a harmonious colour
scheme using the neutral colour palette.
“For a neutral colour scheme to
be successful, you need to balance
tonal variations and introduce texture to create interest”, Ms Fox
said. “Warm, earthy colours were
used on the waiting room walls to
make it welcoming. The darker
tone advances so it was placed on the
front of reception making the wall appear
closer while the lighter tone was used on
Gunz Dental Forest 5915 Carts
Kodak 8000C Digital Panoramic System
Statim 5000S
Cattani K200
Cattani Turbo Tecno modular
Kodak Dental Systems + MYOB
Topaz Digital Telephone System Axsiom Business Communications
the side wall giving the narrow room a
wider appearance.
“Porter’s Duchess Satin was applied in
a crosshatch pattern on the opposite wall
to reflect light and provide variety; it was
also used in the treatment area providing
continuity. The stone panelling behind the
reception desk creates a focal point and is
enhanced by lighting. The result is a
warm, welcoming reception/waiting area
with a modern ambience.”
All other areas were kept neutral providing a clean, contemporary look
that would not date. Timber vinyl
strips were laid in the connecting
hallways to ensure these areas did
not look too “clinical”. A section of
vinyl was laid underneath the
dental chairs to delineate the area.
The warm earthy tones used in the
reception and waiting area were
carried through onto the cabinetry.
Dr Marks summarised the fit out
process by saying: “Working with a dedicated and understanding team provides
you with a great end product”.
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