On their tour, patients pass by the sterilization center, which sits at the heart of the 2,400-square-foot practice. Wide doorways allow staff to easily flow into and out of the room, and also give patients a clear view of the orderly space, which houses the A-dec Preference ICC sterilization center, A-dec Assistina Plus handpiece cleaner and Midmark M11 and M3 sterilizers.

Next to the steri-center, an entire room is dedicated to digital imaging and houses a PLANMECA ProMax X-ray unit, which provides a broad range of imaging views ideal for diagnostics, planning and treatment. The ProMax can also easily transition from 2D to 3D imaging when Dr. Hansen is ready to make the switch.

The new practice meant an upgrade in technology as well as equipment. Eaglesoft practice management software enables Dr. Hansen and his staff to operate paper-free and combines all patient information – including front office and clinical records, and digital X-rays – into one patient record.

Dr. Hansen took advantage of the situation to update the look and feel of his new practice. Through conversations with the Patterson team and other doctors, he recognized that older equipment or furnishings that seemed "fine" to him appeared less so to his patients. With the help of a local interior designer, Dr. Hansen elevated his practice's décor using a warm, goldbased color palette and artistic touches like paintings and floral arrangements. His Olympic medal and photos line the walls, providing additional touches of personality.

For Dr. Leslie Norwood – a 2010 graduate of Dr. Hansen's alma mater, Baylor College of Dentistry – the new facility was the opportunity she'd been searching for. After a year of working in a clinic setting, Dr. Norwood was eager to find a home where she could develop deeper relationships with her patients and their families, and offer greater levels of care.

As an old friend of the family, Dr. Hansen took an interest in Dr. Norwood's dental career and, when she graduated, offered advice as she got her feet wet. He invited Dr. Norwood to watch the new building process unfold and, after the new practice was open for several months, invited her to join him at Memorial City Smiles. "I decided to slow down a little bit and hired her on a full-time basis," he said. "I think she is a real fine dentist."

The selling points for Dr. Norwood to join Dr. Hansen's practice weren't entirely based on the cosmetics and upgrades of the new practice. While she was trained in digital X-ray and many of the latest technologies that Dr. Hansen brought into his office, Dr. Norwood was motivated even more by his reputation for excellence. "Starting as a new dentist, I can use him as a mentor and soak up everything he has to offer," she said. "The advantage for patients going to Dr. Hansen is that he tries to do everything in-office without sending them to a specialist. I want to be able to learn how to do that."