A dental office makeover can make patients feel more comfortable and less anxious. Many patients experience some anxiety over going to the dentist. 91% of adults have some form of dental decay, which makes getting treatment more important. Making the environment more calming can create a better experience for everyone. Here are several things that you can do to create the perfect environment for your dental practice.
In some cases, it may mean making minor changes just to make everyone feel more relaxed and comfortable. The first place to start is with the reception room so that parents have something to read, and kids have toys to play with. However, there are other ideas to make the practice feel welcoming. Keep reading to learn more.
Refresh Your Paint
This may seem simple, but refreshing the paint in the office can make it look fresh and new. Patients spend most of their time in the waiting room so having a welcoming space can put everyone at ease. Calming colors like blues and greens make everyone feel more relaxed. For a children’s dentist, some bright colors can make the room feel more playful.
Provide Magazines and TV
Waiting in a dentist’s office can seem tedious so make sure that there is reading material such as magazines to keep people engaged. Books and toys ensure that everyone will be relaxed until they get their treatment. Some offices post a television on the wall so that everyone can watch while they wait.
Hang Artwork
Pieces of artwork can brighten up a space and make it feel more welcoming. It just gives the space some personality. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be attractive with warm colors that will make people feel at home. Photographs of before and after treatments are popular with many dentists, but they can make patients, particularly children, uncomfortable. In fact, the global art market increased to 65.1 billion USD in 2021 which is a big increase over 2020 making artwork more available to everyone.
Upgrade Furniture
As with any decor, the quality of the furniture makes an important statement. Keeping furniture in good condition or updating it when needed will make the right impression on clients. Worn or discolored sofas and chairs will look outdated and not welcoming. Also, ensure that there is enough seating for the clients who are coming in. It’s not comfortable to be sharing a sofa with several people when you are waiting to see the dentist.
Get Snacks and Refreshments
While clients are waiting to see the dentist, it’s a good idea to provide them with a few refreshments such as water, coffee, or tea. Some dentists even provide breath fresheners to make clients feel more relaxed. While this is not an expensive investment, it can make time in the waiting room more comfortable.
Use Plants
To keep your office from feeling dull, plants are the perfect way to freshen up the space. Live plants or even decorative ones give a feeling of calm to patients. Artificial plants are economical and don’t need to be tended to. Just the occasional dusting will keep everything looking fresh and provide a touch of color.
Play Music
Calming background music can relax nervous clients while they wait for treatment. Loud music should be avoided as it may increase the anxiety of some patients. Soft instrumental music can create a calming environment for everyone who visits. This is important for clients who are anxious about their upcoming procedure.
Add Activities For Kids
Providing an area where kids can play or read books provides a distraction when they may feel anxious about a dental visit. Many children can be frightened by going to the dentist so providing them an area to play is an instant upgrade to your office and avoid children getting bored while waiting.
It doesn’t have to take a lot to make a space more inviting for your clients. Sometimes, it’s the environment. At other times it can be the services that you can offer. For instance, offering Invisalign has a successful patient satisfaction rate of 96% and fits with many people’s lifestyles. Take the time to create a welcoming environment for your clients and everyone will be happier.
