The Importance Of Your Dental Practice Waiting Room

Whether you’re a new dental practice owner looking for tips or an established dentist whose waiting room could use some remodeling, you should know how important your waiting room is. Not only is it a place for your patients to feel comfortable, but also for new patients your waiting room is their first impression of your dental practice. You want that first impression to be a good one!

Lastly, be aware that your patients are busy people, yet yours is the office they’re visiting. Additionally, most of them are likely a little apprehensive about being in a dentist’s office in the first place! For these reasons, it’s important that your waiting room be a comfortable, relaxing space.

Great Tips When Building Your Ideal Waiting Room

• Décor – Keep decorations simple and relaxing. A few pieces of framed art or prints, and some live plants (make sure to water them daily) can make your office feel more inviting.
• Music – Studies have shown that patients feel more relaxed when music is playing. An extra benefit in a dental office is that it can mask the sound of your drill. When considering music, be mindful of your patient base. Choose adult contemporary stations and make sure it’s not too loud.
• Furniture – Most patients tend to prefer waiting rooms that have homey furniture instead of industrial-type furniture. Make sure to choose simple, but comfortable furniture in a variety of styles (couches, chairs, loveseats) to accommodate different preferences and body sizes.
• Reading Material – If you choose to have reading materials available, make sure to update them regularly. Tattered or outdated magazines or newspapers can be frustrating or off-putting for your patients.
• Kids – If your dental office caters specifically to children, we recommend having a space for them to wait. Offer dental-themed coloring pages or a television to show a movie. You can also add some toys or books to your office, but make sure they’re sanitized and inspected regularly. Make sure none of your toys pose a choking hazard.
• Smell – Use light air fresheners or candles to cover the smell of disinfectant. Light or neutral smells such as mint or vanilla are milder than other scents.
• Extras – Lastly, show your patients that their comfort is important to you by adding a coat rack, hand sanitizer, tissues, and WiFi to your office.

For more tips on helping to retain your patients or even to bring in new ones, please don’t hesitate to contact CTC Associates to speak with one of our skilled dental consultants today. We specialize in dental practice sales, dental marketing tips, dental practice management and much more.