Step into a dental clinic these days, and you might feel like you’ve entered an elegant spa rather than a place associated with drills and needles. That’s the magic of experiential design, where dental clinics are getting a makeover to make patient visits pleasant.
Gone are the days of sterile, clinical waiting rooms. Picture this: patients walk in, and it’s like entering a cozy living room. Soft tones, comfortable seating, fireplaces, plants, and ambient lighting that welcomes patients like old friends – it’s an atmosphere that says, “Relax, you’re in good hands.”. Going further, using full wall video screens to engage the waiting patients and families in a full-sized video of white sand beach with gentle turquoise ocean waves and fluttering palm fronds above, or similar calming scenes moving along on the screen wall may just provide you with life-long patients.
The magic lies in the details, from the welcoming signage and a uniquely illuminated waiting area with a crackling fireplace, to the personalized approach of a caring staff. All details have been comprehensively looked at to reach specific goals. The main goal is clear: to make every patient feel valued and understood.
Ever thought a dental clinic could smell good? Well, they can! Aromatherapy has made its way into the dental clinic, with scents designed to soothe your senses and ease tensions. Even the aroma of freshly brewed coffee will calm some patients.
But it doesn’t stop there. Once you’re in the treatment room, the experience continues. Forget about staring at bland walls; some clinics now offer virtual reality headsets or interactive screens to watch movies or live-action scenery. You can continue your virtual trip to the beach while getting your teeth checked too. It’s the ultimate distraction from the typical sounds of an oral health visit and the nerves that sometime accompany dental visits.
Recruiting new dental staff gets a boost from a positive clinic experience. From aromatherapy, to a fun, comfortable place to work, to happy patients, can give clinics a strong advantage in a tight staffing market.
The dental team is getting tech-savvy too. Interactive displays show patients what’s happening in their mouth, making the whole process less mysterious and a lot more transparent. It’s like giving them a backstage pass to their oral health.
In a nutshell, experiential design in dental clinics is turning routine check-ups into something for patients to look forward to. Don’t be surprised if your patients find themselves enjoying the experience – it’s all part of the plan!
Bob Shaffer, AIA, CID, LEED-AP
Foundation Architects
