Depending on your patient's level of apprehension, the sounds of a dental office can range from distracting to terrifying. Controlling how sound travels is critical to patient comfort – and a relaxed patient is easier to work on, and is more likely to accept treatment. To reduce sound traveling between rooms, we avoid locating rooms across from each other in a manner that complements the overall organization and workflow of the dental office.
The design at Norco Family Dental greatly reduces sound attenuation between treatment rooms.
Dental treatment room alignment shouldn't channel noise across rooms
Treatment rooms can be arranged along corridors or facing non-clinical areas – rather than other treatment rooms – while still maintaining a smooth, consolidated flow. If rooms must oppose one another, we create isolation for them, generally with doors.
Opposite the treatment rooms at Turlock Dental Care is a space for mobile deployment of technology wherever needed.
Some examples - bad and good
 |
A traditional approach that fails to bring the best benefits possible, by missing opportunities or creating bottlenecks & disorganization, versus… |
 |
Design Ergonomics plans that are geared to optimize practice efficiency and enhance the patient, staff, and doctor’s experience |
NOISY NEIGHBORS:
Both Examples “A1” and “A2” below present significant issues with sound attenuation (control & reduction). Placing dual entry headwall operatories directly across from one another will channel a large amount of sound including clinical sounds and conversations.
Even rooms on adjacent corners, as in Example “A2” below, or facing long hallways, will create paths for direct sound travel.
GOOD NOISE MANAGEMENT:
To better control sound, Example “B” below places most operatory openings across from a corridor wall, or non-clinical space. Where opposing rooms were required (far left end), doors were included. This mitigates sound attenuation, and creates a private suite for surgical, sedation, etc.
For more inspiration, take a look at our recent dental office design work. If you have any questions, please reach out to my team at Design Ergonomics.
