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Of course, Healy said, there are other things related to the building process that aren’t always a dentist’s forte. Whether it was dealing with contractors, designing the optimal workflow for the operatory, or just figuring out where to put utilities, the doctors found assistance from Patterson Dental. “From the very first meetings, Patterson was included. If you don’t do this all the time, you don’t necessarily know the best place for X–ray tubing, or other specifics. To have assistance on that was huge. Patterson was really hands–on and would meet with the builders and visit the site every week.”
Patterson Dental Equipment Specialist Adam Halabi worked with the practices throughout the process. While the facility is unique to the dental industry, the benefits of building together are not.
“On any construction project there are going to be things that are useful by working together,” Halabi said. “You’ve got a certain amount of site work that is going to be done no matter what. It can be beneficial to share that. It’s also creating a facility where general practitioners can send their patients for all referral purposes.”

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Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
Wichita isn’t exactly an oceanic city. Just don’t tell that to the patients at Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry.
Fittingly for the unique building in which his office sits, Matthew Healy wanted to create something completely unique for his patients — hence, a floor–to–ceiling ocean theme. “We wanted something that kids would really love,” Healy said. “I wanted to have a wow factor when you walk in the door, even as you drive by. Kids walk in and their eyes just light up. As soon as you walk in, you look up and there’s a whale above you.”
As many doctors are doing with new spaces, Healy wanted to create a practice that didn’t feel sterile. He wanted it to be a fun place where both parents and children could feel comfortable and excited about dental care. Ultimately, it got him more excited about dental care, too. “You’ll catch me out there playing with the kids more than I probably should be,” he said, laughing. “You have to think like a kid sometimes. So often, kids go to a doctor’s office and it’s not very inviting. Naturally, you know how they’re going to feel. They’re going to be anxious when they come to the back.”
To give the illusion of being underwater, the walls of the practice are covered in murals with waves and sea life, and there’s even a pirate ship. The results have been amazing, Healy said. People often come in for their appointment, and then come in again the next day to take a picture. It’s worked to help keep his patients happy, and their parents engaged.
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Sharing A Dream

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