No one likes your dental office.

Okay, maybe you and your staff do, but your patients? Not so much.

In fact, over 60% of people say they're afraid of the dentist!

No one really wants to be there, but there are things you can do with your dentist office design that will make seeing the dentist more pleasant for your patients.

Give 'Em Something To Talk About

Or something to watch or read, really. Granted, most of your patients will likely spend their time in the waiting room scrolling through their phone. But having the TV or radio on in the background can make a nervous person slightly less anxious.

Magazines and books are also a tried and true technique to keep patients busy while waiting for their appointment. Try offering unique magazines that you don't often see and in waiting rooms, or a "Take a book, leave a book" shelf.

Try Aromatherapy

Have you heard of scent psychology? It's a real thing! There are certain scents, like lavender and eucalyptus, that trigger parts of the brain to relax. You'll often smell these in a spa or even a resort hotel room.

Bergamot and Roman chamomile are two great choices for scents, as well. However, you'll want to be careful using essential oils and strong fragrances as some people may be very sensitive to them. You'll need to take into consideration the size and airflow of your office before implementing this.

Keep Them Up To Date

One of the worst parts of waiting for the dentist? The waiting part. It's especially frustrating when you don't know how much waiting you'll be doing.

To combat making patients more anxious while waiting for the dentist or hygenist, be transparent with how long they'll be waiting. Starting at check-in, give a rough estimate of how long it'll be before they're seen, and keep them updated as they wait.

There are a couple of ways to do this.

You can have them opt-in to text messages that will update them on their wait time via text. You can also consider a large screen above the check-in desk that shows patients' initials and their estimated wait time.

Add A Little Spice

...with color! Just like scent psychology, color psychology is also real. Most dental patients are already nervous, so use colors like blue and green to set a calm mood.

Don't feel that you can't use colors like yellow and red, though. These are energizing colors and can help create a sense of happiness.

Once you decide on a color scheme, the real fun begins! Carry your color theme through the walls, artwork, area rugs, and upholstery. Consider also making your brand colors part of this color palette and get toothbrushes, pens, and other items to give to patients for free after their appointment.

Dentist Office Design Is Simple

Really. It is. Like we've talked about, the real key to dental office design is considering your patients' needs. Especially those who are scared of the dentist!

Keeping up to date with design trends in interior dentist office design and the latest and greatest medical office remodel tips can be a full-time job itself. Don't worry. We've got you!

If you're ready to redo your dental office, contact us today! We'd love to help you make your patients happy!