Your medical office design sends a message to patients about the level of care they will receive there. The question is, what message are you sending your patients?

If it's been a while since you updated your office design, it may be high time for a remodel. Here are 5 definite signs it's time for you to update your medical office design.

1. Obvious Deterioration

Is the paint chipping? Are there major dents or marks on the walls? The last thing you want patients to think when they visit your dental office is "run-down."

Your dental office design should indicate to patients that cleanliness is a priority. Things like wear and tear in high-traffic areas, worn carpet, faded paint, or sun-bleached photos are all good signs it's time for an update.

2. An "Old-Fashioned" Appearance

You've worked hard through dental school to become up-to-date on the latest best practices. Your dental office interior design should reflect your commitment to modernity.

Take an inventory of your office with the following questions:

• Is the furniture something I'd see in a 1990s home?
• Does the space look "old-school," compared to my competitors' offices?
• Has it been more than 5 years since we changed anything about the decor?
• Does the patient waiting area have outdated technology or materials?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," it's time for a makeover.

3. Worn Furniture

Your patients' comfort is important, but what about your staff? If commonly used furniture like chairs, desks, and couches are feeling broken down, it's time to get some new pieces for both staff and patients.

Anything with worn-out cushions, cracked leather, dirty, or damaged surfaces, etc. should be replaced.

4. You're Feeling Squished

If you or your staff are feeling like things are getting a bit tight in the office, it's likely time for a remodel. Sometimes, this may be a result of a growing patient base, increased staff sizes, or simply poor planning to begin with.

With professional help, you can create dental office floor plans to accommodate all your needs.

Sometimes, an office can be opened up and allow for more space by simply rearranging things in a more open way. Either way, feeling cramped is a sure indicator it's time to freshen up the place.

5. Patient Feedback

Hopefully, it never comes to this. But if you're hearing from patients that your office could use a touch-up, it's long past time to take their feedback.

Don't wait until your office becomes a turn-off to patients, staff, and even yourself. Keep up with current trends in the medical office design world. See what other modern offices are doing and borrow ideas from them.

It never hurts to brush up on the latest in interior design ideas and apply them to your medical office design as well.

Use These Dental & Medical Office Design Tips

Whether you're a pediatric or general dentist, your medical office design affects the experience patients have in your clinic. Create a design that provides for comfort and functionality.

For more help with your dental office interior design, contact our team of expert interior designers and architects today.