Dental Practice Room Conversion FAQs
Can you convert a storage or staff room into a dental surgery?
Potentially. The room needs to be assessed for its size, layout, access, building condition and the services required for a working dental surgery.
At Swalecliffe Dental Centre, an existing storage room was converted into an additional fully equipped surgery.
Can a basement, loft or upstairs flat become part of a dental practice?
Potentially. These spaces need to be assessed individually for layout, access, building condition, services and their intended use.
Eclipse has completed conversions involving basement space, upstairs accommodation and loft space, including the Bexleyheath Dental project.
Can a conversion create decontamination or imaging facilities?
Yes, where the available space and project requirements allow.
A conversion can include surgeries, decontamination rooms, imaging areas, staff facilities and supporting plant space. The layout and required infrastructure should be planned around the intended use from the start.
What needs checking before work starts?
We assess how the space will work within your existing practice, including:
- Available dimensions and layout
- Access to the proposed area
- Existing building condition
- Equipment positions
- Plumbing and electrical requirements
- Data and other services
- Connections to the wider practice
Further requirements depend on the type of room being created and the existing building.
Can your practice remain open during the work?
This depends on the location and extent of the conversion.
Where possible, the project can be planned around a live practice, with phasing used to manage disruption. Vara Dental Practice remained operational while its reception and office area was reconfigured to create an additional surgery and a redesigned reception and waiting area.
The working arrangements for your practice would be agreed as part of the project planning.
Can existing dental equipment be retained or relocated?
Potentially. Existing equipment can be reviewed as part of the conversion to establish whether it is suitable for the new layout and can be safely relocated and reinstalled.
At Perry Vale Dental, an existing Fedesa chair was decommissioned, relocated and reinstalled as part of the creation of two new surgeries.
What affects the cost of a dental room conversion?
Cost depends on the existing space and the extent of work required.
Factors can include structural or building alterations, plumbing and electrical work, dental services, flooring, cabinetry, ventilation, equipment and the number and type of rooms being created.
A site assessment and agreed project scope are needed before reliable costs can be provided.
How long does a dental room conversion take?
Timescales depend on the size and condition of the space, the amount of building work involved, equipment requirements and how the project needs to fit around your existing practice.
Your project programme can be discussed once the proposed conversion and scope of work have been assessed.
Which areas does Eclipse cover?
We carry out dental fit-out and conversion projects across London, the Home Counties and the wider South East.
Projects elsewhere in the UK can also be considered depending on the location and scope.
Assess
