Why do design and furniture make a difference for a dental clinic?
Well-thought-out dental clinic design and furniture brings many advantages for the professional activity carried out within it. In a well-designed clinic, every organisational and structural aspect is inspired by functional criteria, having positive effects on the quality and efficiency of daily operations.
At the same time, the combination of comfort and aesthetics characterising dental clinic furniture, where thought out and chosen carefully, can reduce the anxiety and fear of the dentist that are still experienced by many patients when entering a dental clinic; in turn, this allows the dentist to work with more relaxed and cooperative patients.
The patient’s first impression: the value of a well-designed dental clinic
Although dentistry is nowadays better perceived by patients, the memory of a bygone era when dental treatments could be truly painful and traumatic still lives on. For many people, anxiety and fear of the dentist greatly influence their decision to undergo regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Is there a link between the dental clinic environment and the anxiety level of patients who are still afraid of dental treatments?
Yes, according to dental clinic design and furniture experts. If patients, when entering a dental clinic, are welcomed by warm, well-positioned lights, soft and relaxing colours, a particularly cosy and comfortable waiting area (thanks to comfortable seating, the availability of magazines or books, a switched-on television or pleasant background music), it is much easier for them to be ready when the time comes to open their mouth and allow dentists to do their work. If this positive attitude is coupled with the possibility of lying down in a really comfortable chair, then we have created truly optimal conditions for overcoming patients’ anxieties and fears.
How to arrange the operating area of a dental clinic
We should distinguish between dental clinic design, which allows us to determine the layout of the clinic areas, and dental practice furniture in which existing areas are used. In the first case, it is advisable to have a sufficiently large area allowing for free movement. In the second case, we need to make the most of the spaces available. In general, a square room of approx. 16 square metres is an optimal size for an efficient operating area.
The dental unit should be placed in the centre of the room, since the entire area surrounding it should allow ample room for manoeuvre (in this regard, please have a look at the section on VITALI dental units).
A first important point concerns the floor connections to water and electricity mains and drains. It is highly advisable that they be underfloor, avoiding external drains. The room must have a window and the dental unit should be positioned in such a way that the patient, when lying down, is in front of it. It is very important to ensure that the path from the door to the dental chair is direct and fast. Furniture should usually be placed behind the dental chair so that there is as much operating space as possible at the sides of the dental unit for both the dentist and the nurse.
As regards specifically dental clinic furniture, it is advisable to choose essential and practical furniture, with sober lines and neutral shades. They can be fitted with wheels, so that they can be moved easily, and plastic laminates or metal are by far preferable, since they are easier to sanitise. The endoral X-ray unit should be placed on the wall and preferably behind the chair, on top of the furniture, in a central position so that the arms of the X-ray unit can be easily oriented both to the right and to the left of the patient’s mouth. If this is not possible due to the characteristics of the wall, it should be placed on the wall behind the dental unit’s cuspidor. Finally, the room must have a sink, which may be integrated into the furniture or freestanding.
Regulations and standards on dental clinic design
In Italy, when designing a dental clinic, the main law to refer to is the Presidential Decree of 14 January 1997, which defines the minimum structural and technological requirements for dental services.
Specifically, the rooms must have a minimum set of tools with spaces suitable for:
- reception
- waiting
- administrative activities
- performance of services (respecting privacy)
- toilets (separate toilets for staff and patients)
- storage of material. The latter must be appropriate to the clinic and must be used both as storage for all disposable materials and for the collection of soiled material and cleaning equipment
Natural lighting and ventilation must be ensured in all rooms.
In Italy, to ensure correct dental clinic design and furniture, in addition to the Presidential Decree of 14 January 1997, reference should be made also to:
- Legislative Decree 81/2008
- Law 24/1985
- Legislative Decree 187/2000
- GDPR
Specific regulations to be followed are applicable in all other countries. In any case, it is advisable to always seek the advice of professionals who are familiar with the specific rules and regulations of the dental field.
Mistakes to be avoided when designing and furnishing a dental clinic
Designing and furnishing a dental clinic should be very accurate and should not be carried out in an approximate and superficial way. Once the practice is up and running, it must be fully efficient, it must offer the dental team the best working conditions and must make the patient’s treatment experience calm and peaceful.
This is why it is advisable not to make hasty decisions when deciding how to arrange a dental clinic so as to avoid making mistakes that are not always easy to remedy once the clinic is up and running.
Common mistakes and their impact
- For instance, it would be a mistake not to comply with the regulations mentioned above, since non-compliance entails rather severe penalties.
- Other mistakes can compromise the efficiency of dental work, for example:
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- the lack of space to move comfortably around the chair
- the choice of dental units and chairs that pay insufficient attention to ergonomics
- the adoption of an inadequate operating light
- the use of air diffusers that have disturbing direct jets
Other mistakes can also make the patients’ stay in the clinic less comfortable:
- in the case of a dental clinic where noise is not duly taken into account or that has no or insufficient sound insulation
- inadequate ventilation causing poor air quality
Your customised dental clinic with VITALI dental units
With regard to dental clinic design, choosing a dental unit plays a key role. It is around the dental chair that the dentist and nurse perform the most important part of their work, and it is obviously in the chair that each patient receives dental treatment.
This is why it is important to choose a dental unit that can contribute to the effectiveness of dental work in the best possible way. The VITALI models fully meet this need as
- they have very high ergonomic standards
- they are conceived and designed with maximum functionality in mind
- they are equipped with a particularly comfortable seat (and especially a well-directed headrest)
In addition to these features that make them the ‘perfect allies’ of the dental profession, there are two other aspects that should be considered when designing dental clinics:
- the very low incidence of service interventions
- the average life of VITALI dental units, which are widely known as being amongst the most durable on the market
