Your reception and waiting room is the first impression you give to your patients and tells them how much you care about them. Many practices have similar waiting rooms, with rows of chairs and low-cost tables cluttered with magazines, maybe a TV tuned to the news; on silent with subtitles.
Patients can be nervous of their impending consultation or procedure, they may have a tooth ache and be concerned that the diagnosis could mean surgery or the dreaded drill. Even if they are only waiting a few minutes this can feel like a very long time in a plain room with no outstanding features, especially if the seating is uncomfortable.
So, look to decrease perceived waiting time by identifying elements that can make a more appealing, inviting and comfortable waiting experience.
Ensure your patients love your waiting room to give them the best start to their time with you. The reception they receive and the room they wait in before their consultation will definitely affect their experience and to turn patients into loyal customers you want them to have a good memory of this.
If you are looking to update your reception and waiting room areas, the style and colour of the furniture should also reflect your practice brand. If you have cutting edge services and modern equipment, then your reception desk and seating should give this impression before the patient has entered your surgery.
So, ideally create the perfect blend between reflecting your brand and relaxing your patients, by utilising the space you have available and implementing some of these ideas….
For ultimate relaxation, making your patients feel at home will really improve their experience. Comfortable furniture and homely features like plants, warm lighting, wall decorations or art. Even a fireplace can add a nice touch, as in this example.
Try to arrange the seating so patients can sit where it is most comfortable for them; play areas for children or quiet, light areas for those who wish to read or scroll their phones.
Use a TV for controlled digital content. Show information about the practice, images / photos that you would post on social media, procedures that benefit patient health, patient testimonials etc.
Keep magazines up-to-date and arranged carefully. Consider charging points for phones, access to Wi-Fi, maybe add a splash of colour or patterns on walls for a vibrant feel.
If you have the space, you could include luxuries like a massage chair?
Or, a fish tank / aquarium can also add colour and light to the room. They have health and calming benefits as shown by a study completed by Plymouth University. As well as looking attractive they reduce stress, induce relaxation, minimise blood pressure and even lessen pain.
Because one of your main goals is to relieve patients’ feelings of tension or fear, lean toward colours that soothe, rather than those that excite.
You cannot rely on windows all year round, so a sufficient lighting set-up is imperative. There are many options for ceiling lighting and general lighting is around 200 – 700 Lux.
A recommended lumination would be 300 – 400 Lux. For a unique lighting effect recessed lights and down-lighting can be utilised for a modern and luxurious appearance.
It is recommended to use a lighting design that provides a smooth light distribution rather than directed light and if possible, a gradient of increasing light strength from the waiting room to the surgery, to accustom the patient’s eyes: 400 Lux increasing to 4000 Lux.
Colour temperature is expressed in Kelvin and uses the symbol “K”. Temperatures over 5000K are bluish, cool colours and lower temperatures (2700 – 3000K) are called yellowish warm colours.
Receptions and waiting areas will need to be warm and inviting, as well as relaxing. So, lower colour temperatures should be considered.
Pictures of happy patients, your doctors and other staff and even some printed testimonials will provide a warm welcome. Avoid wallpaper with busy prints, these can be disorienting. Popular decorations include art, a feature wall, plants, ornaments or your company name / logo.
Dental practices are very much local businesses. You could hang a bulletin board with local flyers and activities.
From an aesthetic point of view it is very important for the reception desk to look good, seeing as this is the first thing clients see when they walk into your practice.
Whether your chosen style is luxury, like a high-end hotel or contemporary and minimalistic, our design team will work with you to create an area that reflects your branding needs, gives you optimum staff workflow options, meets legislative standards and looks stunning with various possibilities, such as: –
We aim to deliver highly recommended staff and patient experiences to enable dental practice success. To discuss your waiting room and reception ideas contact us on 01322 293333, email at enquiries@eclipse-dental.com or use this contact form.
See our case studies for the reception desks and waiting rooms we have created to bring happiness to staff and relaxation to patients.
7oaks Clinic – Modern and contemporary reception and waiting room.
Share a Smile – Stylish reception and bench seating.
Westland Medical Centre – Elegant waiting room furniture and spacious reception desk.
Ivy House – Glass entrance enclosure.
White Oak – Modular reception desk.
Kent Smile Studio Chatham – A comfortable and inviting waiting room.
Cyfarthfa Dental Care – Natural lighting from a stunning glass ceiling.
We also offer a Turn-Key solution – while you are on holiday, within 2 weeks and guaranteed solutions.
We have other articles on design, fit-out and refurbishment tips for your dental practice, just follow these links: –
Considerations for Dental Surgery Design
Top tips for Dental Surgery Lighting
Dental Cabinets for Surgeries & Decontamination Rooms
Decontamination Room Design
I have used them for the first time in recent months for a complicated project in carrying out a practice refurbishment. Eclipse were meticulous and brilliant. Very knowledgable engineers and a beautiful finish to my practice. They really are a family based business who will look after you. Very professional company and will definitely keep using them.
I had my 2 surgery practice completely stripped out and services repositioned with new flooring, new equipment and redecorated. They kept to the agreed time scale and we were up and running in our state-of-the-art new surgery. Thank you Eclipse and I will be using your services again.
I did a lot of research looking for a dental fit-out company before I came across Eclipse Dental. They designed the surgery exactly the way I wanted it to look which suits my requirements perfectly. The final result was phenomenal, just phenomenal!
The engineers that attend our practice are very knowledgeable and always act in a professional manner. If we have an emergency situation John Boyt always tries his best to fit us in. I have no hesitation in recommending Eclipse Dental Engineering to you for all your servicing and breakdown needs.
Eclipse listened to my ideas, they added a lot to them and improved my initial design. They had loads of realistic and creative ideas for a 21st century dental practice! Two surgeries were refurbished on time without any interruption of our clinics.
We would highly recommend the awesome Eclipse team who guided us through the design process, finishing touches and colour schemes. Their ability to combine build works with equipment and dental engineering makes it so much easier and better value.
I am very pleased with the result, it is of a high quality and surpassed my expectations, on the strength of the work done I commissioned some extra wall cabinetry. The whole process was hassle-free and I would be very happy to recommend Eclipse to my friends in the business.
We used Eclipse recently in an emergency as we had equipment failure. They were very quick to respond to our call and were able to get us working again within 2 hours. The engineer was very friendly and professional and I would highly recommend this company.
I would like to express my gratitude to you and your team for your professionalism and prompt response when our dental chair packed up. You attended the same day, removed the damaged chair and installed a rental to allow us to continue practising.
Having dealt with many fit-out companies over the years, Eclipse Dental has been one of the most professional, dependable and sincere companies I have ever worked with. I would not hesitate to use their services again.
Excellent service, Eclipse have worked tirelessly for us and have always come out same day if we have a problem stopping us working. Thanks to all at Eclipse.
Their awareness of CQC regulations regarding equipment relocation and our necessity to minimise downtime was brilliant. We would like to recommend Eclipse Dental to anyone considering a refurbishment or relocation.
Very happy with the service and reliability of the team. From the beginning to the end, everyone was always helpful and very kind. I definitely will recommend Eclipse Dental!
I liked how swiftly the projects were done. Everything was managed, everything was timed and everything was coordinated. And every day we saw something happening. It was very exciting.
The quality of craftsmanship was exceptional—the cabinetry, flooring and all custom elements were made precisely to our specifications and aligned perfectly with our vision for the space.
Brilliant. Just professional! Complete refit of surgery. Flawless.
The boys did well! We didn’t give them much time to prepare but they did a great job, extremely pleased.
We have had the chairs for some time now and are happy with them. They serve what we need them for. The aftercare service is excellent
Eclipse are very flexible and listen to your needs. We are very impressed with the quality of workmanship they delivered. I would not hesitate to continue recommending Eclipse.
Eclipse were always accommodating of any requests and would always go the extra mile. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.
We are delighted with the end result. The practice looks good and, more importantly, works ergonomically and efficiently.
