While on a canoe trip in Temagami, I decided to design a facility that could accommodate the evolving direction that Periodontics is pursuing: I wanted the office to capture the peaceful mood and tranquil privacy of a dawn paddle on a still lake to ultimately create a comfortable place for my patients, staff and students. Upon entering the office through large automatic doors, the patient's attention is drawn to a stained glass window depicting the office logo: a canoeist gliding along a calm lake.
The reception area is warm and welcoming and the entire facility offers patients a soothing, quiet atmosphere. Of note is a 16 foot cedar strip canoe suspended from the 12 foot ceiling. A canoe coffee table and Group of Seven prints are the secondary focus, with the canoe and Group of Seven theme continued throughout the office. Each of the seven operatories is named after a famous Canadian artist. The three hygiene rooms (Carmichael, Jackson and Lismer) and two post-operative/consultation rooms (Varley and MacDonald) feature large windows and high ceilings with wall mounted cabinets over seamless floors.
Selecting our specialized equipment was a challenge because I work standing up, and being tall, would often hit my head on the dental light. A trip to the A-dec factory in Oregon provided the solution: raise the ceilings and mount the light and x-ray units to accommodate the working position. One of the installers put up a clever sign more frequently seen at a midway, “You must be at least 6 feet tall to use this equipment!”. The facility has a private relaxation room where the patient is sedated in a comfortable recliner before surgical procedures. The room is dimly lit and peaceful music is played to help the patient relax.
The two operating theatres (Thomson and Harris) are designed to provide excellent ergonomics and to maximize patient comfort. The size of the room conveys openness, while the soft music from a private sound system relaxes the senses and ultimately minimize stress for the patient. When used for teaching, as many as 10 students can be present in the room during the surgery and procedures can be telecast into the adjoining classroom.
After surgery, the patient is assisted to a recovery bay and another comfortable recliner. This area gives the patient privacy while fully recovering under the supervision of the R.N.. From there the patient leaves by a private exit with their companion.
Also connected to the main operating theatre is a sterilization center featuring bilateral 8’ Stericenter Units. Using a strict instrument management system protocol to facilitate infection control, one side is dedicated to process used instruments and the other side is restricted for instruments that have passed through the sterilizer. We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and change them for every patient. Each piece of equipment is disinfected with antibacterial solution prior to every procedure. Sterile water delivery systems are utilized throughout the office. We use autoclave sterilization for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You can be assured that our staff has been specifically trained on sterilization procedures and their importance. As dental professionals, we know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, SARS, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical. We take patient safety very seriously and adhere to the highest professional standards of cleanliness, sterilization, and radiation control.
The office is also designed to be a learning center for the study of periodontics with a classroom that can accommodate up to 40 students at a time. Thirty Perio Continuing Education events for hygienists and dentists are scheduled in the year ahead and are listed in the Continuing Education section of this site.
If I had to do this project over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. The project mirrored a perfect canoe trip: great memories, under budget and no mosquitoes.
