YOUR FIRST OFFICE

by Jacek and Susanne Slizynski

What is important for the office of a new orthodontist?

We have been designing offices for orthodontists for almost 18 years and have acquired considerable experience in dealing with the issues concerning first time office/practice start - up.

In this article we will focus on the doctor who is a recent graduate. Budget, function and minimum space requirements are of most concern. Office space is most often leased in an office building.

OFFICE LOCATION

If possible choose a site within walking distance of a nearby school. This relieves the parental pressure of shuttling your patients to and from your office and that in turn may save on the seating space required in your reception room. Locations near shopping malls have also proven to be very successful.

You may consider a location in a large office building or office park as well. That has served our clients well, drawing patients (adults) from nearby offices.

OFFICE SPACE GEOMETRY

Whenever possible select rectangular space closely resembling a square. You should also consider locations of entry/exit doors. You, the doctor and your staff, should be able to enter or leave the office without being seen from the waiting/reception room.

SPACE PLANS

We have found that a minimum office space requirement for a beginning orthodontist should be between 1450 - 1700 s.f. This size allows for 4 treatment chairs and a reception area accommodating up to 10 persons. All of this can be accomplished by doubling the function of some rooms i.e. the Exam / Consulting and Staff Lounge can be just a recess in a hallway with a cabinet accommodating under-counter refrigerator, micro-wave oven, and pull out bar stools at the counter.

Sterilization room may be at one side of a Treatment Area and Records Chair at another. Circulation pattern consists of a single wide hallway joining Reception and Treatment Area with a Tooth Brushing in hallway recess between.

CONSTRUCTION COST SAVING MEASURES

In your lease negotiations try for maximum construction allowance. Remember that " lease hold improvements" of medical spaces are much higher than any other professional space and therefore qualify for higher allowances. We have seen our clients negotiate construction allowances of $20/s.f.

Have them designed but build only a minimum amount of cabinets. Most upper cabinets can be added as your practice grows. Start with two patient chairs but allow for two additional to be installed at a later time.

Have an interior designer or an architect prepare full documentation allowing for multiple contractor bidding. You will see considerable savings if you allow for such competition.

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS

In our practice we have seen an average cost of $80 to $85 / s.f. which after an allowance means that an office of 1500 s.f. would cost approximately $90,000 to build. That number will vary regionally, and does not include soft costs such as design and building permit fees.

PROMOTION

Office appearance is a part of your promotion so do provide decorative and architectural styling features that make your office environment a memorable and pleasant experience.

Announce a "Grand Opening " to your referral sources i.e. local dentists. Invite them and their staffs for hors d'oeuvres, show passion and commitment.

Here is a sample layout of an ideal "first office". You will see many of the concepts we discussed and how they integrate into a functioning unit.

Jacek and Susanne will gladly assist you in interior space planning and other design related decisions regardless of your location.

You can contact them through e-mail : plan@indesco.com

or telephone: 503 .629. 5150

Partial or full interior design service.

For more information about Indesco design services please refer to their web site linked here.

Indesco Office Design

Jacek Slizynski, interior designer, NCIDQ certified#8607
Susanne Slizynski,designer
Indesco inc.