Key Steps to Build a Dental Office

Building or remodeling a dental office comes with unique challenges. It requires balancing functionality, healthcare standards, and a welcoming environment for both patients and staff. Here are the key steps to build a dental office to simplify the process, save time, and ensure your office meets your practice’s needs and goals.

1. Planning

Establish your goals, such as patient experience, workflow efficiency, and future growth. Understand your design preferences, equipment needs, and location considerations.

2. Site Selection and Acquisition

Choose a location with accessibility, visibility, and proper zoning. A dental-specialized real estate broker can help evaluate potential locations, handle zoning and regulatory compliance, and negotiate a favorable purchase or lease contract.

3. Design

Work with architects and designers to create a functional yet aesthetically pleasing layout. Consider patient flow, operatories, sterilization areas, and staff efficiency.

Ensure compliance with dental-specific regulations, such as infection control, sterilization, X-ray shielding, and ADA guidelines. Dental chairs, imaging machines, suction systems, and plumbing are some of the specialized equipment needs of dental offices that you need to consider.

4. Permits

Navigate local building codes and healthcare facility requirements. Delays in permits can derail timelines, and a project manager can help prevent this.

5. Construction and Build-Out

Oversee contractors and vendors to ensure quality and timeliness. Manage the delivery and installation of dental-specific equipment. Handle inevitable challenges such as supply chain issues or contractor delays.

6. Final Inspections and Move-In

Inspections ensure compliance. Prepare the office for patient operations, including:

• Testing equipment to ensure functionality and proper calibration
• Finalizing interior design to create a professional and welcoming space
• Setting up patient and staff areas to optimize workflow and efficiency

A dental office is a long-term investment, designed for growth to accommodate future patient loads, additional staff, or new technology. By following these steps to build a dental office, you can avoid common pitfalls and set your practice up for success.

Choose a team with experience in dental offices, so you can focus on running your practice. Contact our dental real estate team today!