When he started to plan for a satellite office in nearby Cottage Grove, Dr. Dunn began to consider the need for a new dental partner. Technologically speaking, Dr. Dunn needed a practice management and imaging software that could seamlessly connect two practices. He also thought long and hard about which X-ray and cone beam units, orthodontic carts and chairs, and even handpieces he would use in a new practice. His years of experience led him to seek out different resources than what his distributor could offer.

Through a chance meeting with Paul Guggenheim, the president of Patterson Dental, Dr. Dunn was assured that not only could the company provide the physical components for a new orthodontic practice; an extremely high level of service and support would back him every step of the way, even long after installation and training. Patterson also offered Dr. Dunn the opportunity to use Dolphin Imaging and Dolphin Practice Management software.

Dr. Dunn connected with Patterson Dental Equipment Specialist Scott Mans to discuss bringing Dolphin into his new facility. Shortly thereafter, Patterson Dental Equipment Specialist Bryan Lomax joined the project to assist with facility design and supplies ordering.

Dr. Dunn put on his electrical engineering cap to draw up the blueprints for the satellite practice. He wanted his office design to feature open floor space and a series of curving hallways that take the staff and patients on a circular route through the practice, from front desk to orthodontic bays to consultation office.

Architect Greg Watson added his stamp of approval, and in 2011, the doctor, contractors and the Patterson team began their work. “We were mainly involved in finalizing the design of Dr. Dunn’s office, bringing on board our in-house designer, Gary Long, and helping the doctor to select and install his chosen equipment,” Mans said.

“The biggest challenge for us was taking Dr. Dunn’s design concept and incorporating all of the elements into an efficient, functioning orthodontic office,” Mans said. “He wanted a certain level of privacy in a few rooms, in order to accommodate some of his older patients, some of whom are not as comfortable sitting in a wide-open room along with the teenage patients.”

Lomax assisted by attending meetings with the doctor and Mans to select equipment. He also worked with Dr. Dunn’s assistant, Sarah, to make sure the office would have the proper supplies on hand when it opened, and personally delivered everything prior to the grand opening in July.

For the three-chair orthodontic bay, Mans helped Dr. Dunn select A-dec 311 series chairs. The model offered him a modern-looking chair with the durability to stand up to dozens of visits per day, as well as ease for patients to get into and out of the chairs. While not specifically designed for orthodontics, Dr. Dunn is glad he chose a chair brand with a reputation for quality, provided by a company known for its service. “There are a lot of direct vendors of orthodontic equipment, and it’s decent equipment, but I’m not sure that the service and warranty on those items would be as good as Patterson’s after the sale,” he said.