Do the Dental Lasers Have to Be There? 9 Ingenious Design Ideas
Dentophobia is a real fear that many patients face. According to studies, 5 to 15 % of individuals have an extreme fear of the dentist, and 3% will not visit the dentist because of their phobia. But as a dentist, you know the importance of oral hygiene.
So, while you can’t completely take away a patient’s anxiety, you can make your office look welcoming so that feel relaxed before their appointment. In other words, you don’t want your patients to only see the dental lasers in the office and not be decor.
Continue reading to learn some great design ideas to use for a dental office
1. Create a Home-Like Environment
One of the best ways to make your patients feel comfortable is to give them a feeling of home. To do this, you can add soft lighting in the room, decorate with a stylish coffee table, or put down a rug.
These types of items set the tone for a relaxing ambiance, especially the plants. A touch of nature has been known to improve mood. Therefore, plants are a great way to incorporate a bit of nature into the office, while still keeping it looking professional.
2. Paint the Walls a Different Color
The color patterns you choose are essential to your office decor. You want the color scheme in the front office and in the dental exam room to be pleasant. Dark, bold colors like maroon or forest green can make patients feel closed in.
Instead, opt for soft hues like light blue, pastel green, or even a soft yellow color. It may even be a good idea to try a brighter pigment like a soft orange for the treatment room. It may cause patients to look at the colors on the wall versus the dental lasers.
3. Kiddie Decor
All of your patients probably aren’t adults, so you have to find a way to cater to everyone. If your office treats kids and adults, consider making one section of the front office kid-friendly. Put books out on display, as well as puzzles and toys.
In this section, you can paint the wall red, put down a colorful rug, or even create a small jungle gym. The kids will have so much fun, they’ll forget about their fear of the dentist.
4. Create an Open Floor Plan
An open floor plan is the best option for dental offices. You never want your guests to feel claustrophobic, and an open floor plan helps them breathe through their anxiety. Instead of them concentrating on the dental lasers and other tools, you want them to be able to look around and appreciate the decor. If your office needs a makeover, you should bring in some professionals who understand how to update interior design.
5. Comfortable Furniture
No one likes to sit on uncomfortable furniture whether they’re at the dentist or not. You definitely don’t want to have hard furniture in your dental practice. If a patient is feeling on edge, a hard, uncomfortable seat will only worsen the problem.
Choose furniture that looks stylish and modern, but also provides coziness.
6. Try Different Patterns
You can make your office look fun and exciting without overdoing it. If your office looks boring and mundane, chances are it’ll dampen your patients’ mood.
Adding unique sculptures and patterns that they may not see very often is a great way to make your dental decor stand out. It’ll also make your patients feel better about being there.
7. Put Up TVs
Many dental offices have TVs in the waiting area. This is the perfect way to distract nervous patients as they wait to go back and receive treatment. If they’re watching an interesting show or movie, chances are it’ll help them forget about their dental fears.
You should also consider taking things a step further and putting TVs in the treatment rooms as well. You want your patients to feel completely comfortable, and television is a great distraction. They can watch it until the dentist comes into the room.
Plus, if they’re scared of the dentist, it may also be a good idea to let it play in the background as a mild distraction while they’re getting their dental work done.
8. Paintings and Pictures
Everyone can appreciate fine art, and a cool-looking photo or portrait is a fantastic way to spruce up the decor. When something beautiful is hanging up in the dentist’s room, it gives patients something else to look at other than the dental lasers and other dental tools. Your patients might find themselves staring at the portrait during their treatment, which can significantly ease anxiety.
9. Holiday Decor
You should always want to be as festive as possible during the holidays. Most people enjoy Christmas colors and lights, so it’s why not take advantage of the holiday season? That way, your patients will instantly feel a sense of relief when they walk into your office.
It’s a good idea to do the same thing for the other holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, and the 4th of July.
Hide Those Dental Lasers
Although dental lasers and other dental tools are an essential part of properly cleaning a patient’s teeth, they shouldn’t be the only thing everyone sees. A dental practice should be a place of professionalism, but also relaxation.
Chances are when a visitor comes into your office, they’ll be there for at least an hour. So why not make them feel comfortable during that time?
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