Kirsty Hague explores the biggest dental practice refurbishment trends for 2024, whilst embracing calmness and positive thinking.
Kirsty Hague is the Interiors Director at Hague Dental.
As we usher in the new year, let’s explore the trends that will define creative expression as well as sector direction.
As the saying goes, location remains key. Alongside this all-important aspect, the demand for additional space within practices remains high, as is meeting the requirements from patients who tend to be increasingly aware of their oral health needs combined with a desire for aesthetics.
As we know, trends come and go. Hopefully, some will never be seen again, whilst others stand the test of time.
Here at Hague, we have over 25 years of experience in dental practice design, which stands us in good stead to help clients create future-proof practices that embrace trends that will fit the bill for years to come, both in terms of usefulness and look.
Working environment
A comfortable working environment meshes with something else very significant that is top of the trends – the necessity to address team wellbeing.
Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also makes business sense, as it helps to ensure staff retention and draw in the best candidates when there is a vacancy to fill.
Across the spectrum of available positions in the dental sector, prospective staff can pick and choose due to a limited number of qualified professionals.
Clearly, prospective employees are going to be drawn to a nice working environment. Even if you are the most revered principal in the whole of the UK, if your décor and equipment have seen better days, it will put some candidates off.
Conversely, a practice that looks good leads to the supposition that there is a will to invest in its people, in terms of training, prospects, and wellbeing.
What’s more, if your practice has no staff room, no office for confidential meetings, and no ergonomic design, you will have a problem with retention and recruitment, apart from the old faithful’s who have been with you since year dot.
A positive outlook
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that people are worried about finances and there is caution around spending.
However, the good news is there are still some favourable rates with several finance houses, some of which also offer slow-start repayment schemes.
Moreover, rates are holding pretty steady right now, as are costs for equipment and cabinetry, so things are looking bright for refurbishment plans in 2024.
As we move towards the new year, people are feeling re-energised. The worst of Covid is hopefully behind us, and dental practitioners are feeling refreshed and ready to re-embrace their long-term professional plans and aspirations.
At Hague, that translates into a higher demand for dental practice refurbishment, as practitioners want to position themselves for long-term success and growth.
First refurbishment steps
Part of taking back that control is planning well in advance what practice refurbishment works need to be undertaken. There is a lot to consider for a project like this (read our article on effective budgeting for your practice build), and it is important not to rush so that you can get everything right the first time, on time and on budget.
I would encourage practice owners to start planning their refurbishment three to four months before the project kicks off. This allows a good amount of time to research requirements and have some 2D and 3D CAD drawings made up.
Every inch of the space needs to be considered, even down to the colour of the light switches! It may sound silly but overlooking such elements during the planning process can slow things down and be expensive when you have builders on the clock.
Refurbishment size
All of that said, a refurbishment does not need to be a huge, practice-wide project unless you want it to be.
There are smaller changes that can make a huge difference. For example, a lot of practices are looking to incorporate CBCT, which is an investment that clearly adds true value for both patients and the dental team.
Another significant trend is creating spaces for staff to have lunch, and a place for confidential meetings between team members and patients.
On a smaller scale, just making sure you have a nice loo for people to use makes a difference. Many people don’t realise that a lot of patients visit the bathroom as soon as they arrive at the practice, especially if they are nervous.
Even smaller than that, you could put in a feature wall. There are several products on the market that are cost-effective and can transform a space quickly and simply, adding immediate warmth.
Or you might want to add some nice signage, which doesn’t need to break the bank. Indeed, if I could only change one thing for a client, I would most likely recommend making a change to the exterior to improve the appeal and make the practice more welcoming.
Colour and curve
Dulux’s colour for 2024 is a pinky-white called Sweet Embrace, which they describe as a ‘kind, delicate tone that brings a feeling of positivity to our lives’.
That’s spot on for dental practices in terms of evoking the best possible emotions, plus it tones in beautifully with another trend – for colours inspired by nature.
Combined with the right shade of green and a cleverly chosen terracotta hue, you can really take your interior to the next level.
As for furniture, curves continue to smooth over interiors. Think organic, environmentally friendly, and recycled materials, arches, soft waves, woven aspects, and a sculptural look, for a practice that is bang on trend and set up for a positive future.
To find out more, contact our Interiors team at enquiries@haguedental.com or call 0800 298 5003.
