Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles that focus on important elements of the process of building, relocating or renovating a dental practice. This installment focuses on 3D office design.

It’s impossible to predict the future. But getting a glimpse of the future has become a reality through Patterson Dental’s DesignEdge and the 3D office design software that comes with it. Sometimes, a glimpse is all it takes.

Patterson has long used talented employees and trusted partners to provide dentists a look at what a renovated, redesigned or completely new space could look like. Now, with 3D office design, the practices are more realistic than ever before.

Tim King, an office designer with Patterson, answered a few questions for Patterson Today about how he approaches his role and what 3D office design brings to a practice.

PT: What is the office designer’s role in the space planning process?

TK: When we as designers begin to work with a client to develop an office plan, we are providing advice that we know will work because we have seen it in practice time after time. A designer’s task, working with the local equipment specialist, is to listen to the dreams of the dentist – dreams of how he or she sees the perfect office and wants to work for years, perhaps for the remainder of his or her career. Once we have listened to those dreams, we create a plan that will incorporate them into the final construction of an efficient, productive office where the dentist enjoys working.

PT: How do you design for a dentist’s unique space?

TK: It’s all about the space a dentist has. We must create a design that is comfortable and inviting to patients without wasting any of it. Creating an office that pampers the patient, and at the same time allows the staff to be more productive is a challenge, but one that we embrace. A space needs to be open enough to create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, but compact enough to not waste space and potential earnings for the dentist. Every inch of the office should work to provide the best patient experience and improve the team’s practice lifestyle.

PT: How does 3D office design allow you to better display how you use those precious inches?

TK: In some instances, a flat plan is simply not the best way to convey the design of a three-dimensional space. Heights and depths are just as important as lengths and widths when understanding how an office would look and function. Until recently, that was shown with sketches or models. But now, with a 3D design, a doctor can look at the office from any perspective. This allows him or her to see exactly what the patient will see once the building is constructed.

PT: For many dentists, a new build or a complete office overhaul is a once-in-a-career opportunity. Do you consider this in creating a 3D office design?

TK: Absolutely. We emphasize that doctors should do it right. That means thinking through the options and determining what is purely cosmetic and what will add to the productivity of the office. Many times, the doctor must see how one space relates to another to understand why a plan is arranged as it is, and the 3D design allows us to do a virtual walkthrough of the office. In those walkthroughs, the dentist can see how each area affects the others and how, by positioning spaces and equipment in a particular way, the efficiency of the office is increased. That can’t always be shown in a 2D plan.

PT: How can you use 3D office design to help plan a smaller project, like a single-operatory renovation?

TK: In a treatment room, inches can make a big difference in the comfort and productiveness of the room. A 3D view allows us to look at those inches from any angle. The doctor can then decide where a few inches might be better used. The ergonomics of working in a room is important and the 3D design helps us to develop an ergonomically sound space by showing all the views of the room.

PT: How accurate is the 3D office design?

TK: It’s incredibly accurate. We worked with a doctor who was rightfully concerned about the view of his office from the outside – specifically, what could be seen through a particular window. We were able to show the view from the outside of the practice within the 3D design to ease his mind. And then, together, we developed a view that could be used for marketing when the office is closed.

PT: How do dentists normally react when seeing a 3D design of their potential new space?

TK: The initial reaction is generally: “Wow.” They’re able to see the office design with depth and color, and it’s impressive. But then, as we look at the different regions of the office, we can begin to change things that create an office where they want to work. It becomes a great tool and much more than just a “neat” feature.

About DesignEdge

DesignEdge is Patterson’s comprehensive office design solution. Whether it’s a single operatory, a large-scale renovation or a new build, Patterson works with you to transform your office from what it is now to what you want it to be. From finding a space and financing through design and construction, Patterson’s equipment specialists and DesignEdge are with you every step of the way.