Although the construction process went quickly – from November 2013 to March 2014 – it was years of planning and preparation that helped make that process go so smoothly. Reyes began helping the couple with the mission, vision and details of the new practice, including total cost, budget and timing, almost four years ago. Reyes said that it helped that Erin and Brad were just as committed to success as she was, and because they listened. “Erin and Brad know about clinical excellence for the patient. When it comes to the financial vision, systems, products, equipment and choices, they listened to the advice of experts. With my experience I was able to save them from making costly mistakes and help them make the best decisions for the practice.”

3D imaging helped during the planning process, because Brad and Erin could walk into the office virtually and see everything from the carpet to the layout before making any big decisions. The result is a layout that’s different than the average dental practice.

The sterilization area is connected to a storage room, a lab and the mechanical room with a door in between, giving the option to close off the service areas. Plus, the storage area is larger than most. By keeping inventory in one space it’s easier to access supplies, manage inventory and keep percentages as low as possible.

The practice is equipped with six operatories and a consultation room. “We wanted to keep things open,” said Brad. “Patients are often nervous coming to the dentist, and an open environment allows them to see what’s going on,” he explained. “Plus, there’s space for privacy to talk about finances and treatment plans.”

The state-of-the-art equipment at Universal Smiles includes A-dec 400 chairs that patients literally fall asleep in. “These chairs are a big selling point,” said Brad. “When a patient falls asleep in the chair it says a lot, because people are often nervous when they come to the dentist.” SoproLife intraoral cameras give patients a new perspective on what’s going on, making it easy for the doctor to explain why a procedure may be necessary. This cutting-edge technology has increased case acceptance because, as Brad says, “a picture really is worth a thousand words.”