The setting and the welcome offered by a dental office are as important to patients as the competence of the practitioner who receives them. To attract and retain patients, it is therefore essential to take special care of the treatment environment.

Discover our ten tips and tricks to make your dental practice more enjoyable.

1) A signposted route

First impressions are often the right ones. To make your patients feel welcome and to avoid stress during the first few minutes of their visit, your office and its access should be perfectly marked.

Your nameplate must be visible and in excellent condition, and your office must be well indicated if it is located on the floors of a building, for example.

Once you enter your office, your patient should be able to identify at a glance the office, the waiting room, as well as the changing rooms and the toilets.

Install effective signage or choose different colors for your flooring to simplify your patients' journey.

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2) A human and efficient welcome

Ideally, your patients are welcomed by a secretary who, like your office, must be warm, clear and available.

He or she will be able to direct your patients to the waiting room, of course, but will also be able to collect patient information, answer any technical questions and thus help you prepare your consultations.

3) A clean and orderly space

As a healthcare professional, hygiene is at the heart of your concerns. Of course, it must be perfect in your treatment room, but also in the reception areas and restrooms.

Your patient records and administrative documents should be stored in closed cabinets.

Magazines and brochures that may be made available to your patients in the waiting room or at the reception desk must be put back in order regularly during the day so as not to leave a visual impression of disorder.

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4) A comfortable wait

Your waiting room is another key part of your dental practice. This space, entirely dedicated to your patients, must be warm and comfortable.

Choose designer chairs that are ergonomic, and think about people with reduced mobility.

If your chairs are starting to wear out, replace them: furniture that is not in good condition would give a negative image of your practice.

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5) Useful information

Your patients' waiting time should be as short as possible, but if it must sometimes be longer, it should be as pleasant as possible.

News magazines, quality journals, and the provision of a password for your patients' dedicated Wi-Fi network can all be used to limit frustration and stress among your impatient or anxious patients.

You can also have screens displaying information on the innovative tools used in your practice (3D scan, online appointment booking, artificial intelligence,...) or educational content to educate your patients about their oral health.  

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6) A kid-friendly practice

Reassuring the new generation of patients must be a priority for practitioners. Children are encouraged to visit their dentist once a year and should therefore be particularly well received.

In the waiting room, an area with books, drawing materials and even small toys can be dedicated to them.

In the washroom, a toilet seat and a changing table will make life easier for young parents for whom waiting for a health care professional can quickly become a source of stress.

As you care for your youngest patients, you also care for the adults who accompany them.  

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7) A neat and soothing decoration

While it is not essential to call upon the services of a specialized decorator, it may be worthwhile to take inspiration from the most modern and refined dental or medical offices to rethink the interior of your reception and care space.

Clean lines, quality materials, plants and even a green wall are some of the ways to create a welcoming environment.

Are you an art, photography or travel enthusiast? Don't hesitate to decorate your office walls with beautiful prints or objects from your collection. They create a warm atmosphere and allow you to draw your patients' attention to aesthetic elements.

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8) Take care of the acoustics

Ringing intercom and phone calls, slamming doors or sounds from the treatment room are all stressful noises for your patients. Especially for the many patients who are anxious about their appointments.

Soft and melodious bells, flexible floor coverings to avoid resonance, carpets, or door dampers can be easily installed to limit noise pollution in the reception areas of your practice.

The auditory experience is important, especially for your most sensitive patients, such as those with autism. To complement a warm sound environment, consider playing soothing music in the reception areas of your office.

9) Sufficient but soft lighting

Flashing neon lights and dim lights can cause discomfort and even visual fatigue, and can be an additional stress factor for some patients.

Taking care of the lighting should be one of your priorities if you want your office to have a pleasant atmosphere. Ideally, avoid cold (white) and too intense lights and prefer warm lights.

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10) A treatment room that reflects your image

All these tips to make your reception areas pleasant for your patients are of course valid for your treatment room. If order and hygiene must be impeccable, do not neglect the design, decoration, comfort and ergonomics of your office.

Some of the items that should be placed in this area include: two comfortable chairs facing your desk; a mobile stool to allow a parent to be close to his or her young child during auscultation and care; a coat rack; decorative items (photos, paintings); a screen above your recliner to capture the attention of anxious patients; a musical speaker to create a soothing sound environment that will help you concentrate; anatomical models to help explain your treatment plans.

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Some images as inspiration

- A waiting or reception area with warm colors to create a warm atmosphere

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/446560119280803042/

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- A bright and elegant waiting room

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/771522979911567258/

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- A design and warm treatment room

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/841047299170250185/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/637048309790950510/

- Green spaces and plants to ease your patients' anxiety

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/648096202634583369/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/382031980900212380/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/327285097930566619/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/446560119282354717/

- Spaces designed for your youngest patients

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/113645590574874681/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/524880531553831773/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/118078821467449745/

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