How to Create a Kid-Friendly Pediatric Dentist Office Design

How to Create a Kid-Friendly Pediatric Dentist Office Design

July 24, 2020 - Arminco Inc.

Far too many children are putting off necessary dental care. Did you know that 17% of children aged 5 to 19 have untreated dental issues?

It is common for children to skip routine dental appointments and preventative cleanings. This leads to more significant issues down the road. More than 30% of parents say their child missed school due to oral health issues.

To reverse these alarming trends, dentists need to make their offices a welcoming environment for children. Read on to learn how to create a kid-friendly dental office. Explore tips on how to design your office to make children feel safe.

The Psychology Behind Color Schemes

Did you know that specific colors trigger emotions in children? For example, the color red represents danger and dynamic energy. This can make kids feel uncomfortable and anxious before you get the chance to say hello.

Other colors present a more welcoming environment. Blue and green colors are associated with a more relaxed feel.

Some medical offices take it a step further and incorporate kid-friendly designs. For some, this means a superhero-themed room or Disney characters on the walls. If this is the case, this themed room should be set aside for young patients only.

Add a Play Area

At least some of the time spent at a dentist is in the waiting room. You do not want young children anxiously sitting in a chair, thinking about everything that could go wrong. Instead, try to distract them by adding a play area into your office design.

This area should be off to the side and away from areas that see a lot of traffic. You can add comfortable chairs for children and toys to pass the time with. Some dental offices take it up a notch and add a video game station.

Mount a Television on the Wall

Now that the child has been properly welcomed, it is time to operate. The challenge for the dental staff is to turn the child into a good patient. The dental staff needs the child to sit still while he or she performs a delicate cleaning.

One item that can help is installing a television in the room. You should install the television in direct eyesight of the operating chair.

In addition, you want to mount the television in an elevated position. This way, the patient can watch their favorite show while they are lying back in the chair.

Consider the Décor

Lastly, think about the dentist's office decoration in hallways and operating rooms. While the child is waiting, you do not want them looking at medical pictures of the mouth. This could scare and overwhelm them.

Also, do not leave sharp or scary-looking dental tools in view. Remember, the objective is to put the patient’s mind at ease.

Creating a Kid-Friendly Dental Office

Now, you are ready to welcome young children to your dental office. Steps like paint color and mounting a television go a long way to creating a suitable environment.

If you are interested in designing a kid-friendly dental office, contact us today to speak with an expert.

#kid-friendly dental office

Contact Us

Contact Us for Your Office Design, Construction, and Project Management Needs.

Phone & Fax

MAIN OFFICE - (703) 430-6669

FAX - (703) 430-6880

WORKING HOURS

MON-FRI 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

SAT-SUN Close

45449 E Severn Way, Unit 155

Sterling, VA 20166

Do not disclose personal information
0 / 500