At the recent ADA Annual Session in New Orleans, Louisiana, I had the unique opportunity to sit on the committee of judges that decided the winners of the 2013 Dental Office Design competition. This annual competition looks at newly built or renovated dental practices and determines the winner by deciding which facilities have most effectively expressed their practice philosophy while maintaining thoughtful integration of up-to-date design characteristics.
A big part of the judging process is reading through the entrants’ responses on the Entry Form. The committee had dozens of practices to review. After reading all of the hard data (square footage, categorized costs, staff counts, etc.), some started to separate from the rest of the pack. They did this in a few ways:
- They had a clear vision for their new construction or renovation project. It is vital to know what you are trying to accomplish with your practice and understand how your staff and patients will interact with the space.
- Their budgets were realistic and their projects met all building requirements (ADA, OSHA, HIPAA, etc.). They engaged top-level professionals to help with concerns and hurdles along the way.
- They demonstrated that their practice can now enhance the way in which dentistry is practiced and, even further, it enhances the waythe patients experience dentistry.
These are keys to success for every building or remodel project.
Additionally, the submitters had the opportunity to expand upon the details of their project using these five design criteria:
- Function
- Dental Technology
- Dental Equipment
- Ergonomics
- Aesthetics
Here’s a list of this year’s winners:
• Dental Office Design of the Year—Small Practice: Dr. John F. Dahm, Hutchinson, Kansas
Though a few practices set themselves apart, every office we looked at was a testament to the great industry in which we find ourselves. Thank you to each participant. And if you have had a recent build or remodel, I hope to see your office submitted for 2014!
