Dental Economics® and Matsco unveil the 2007 Dental Office Design Competition
Are you proud of your new office? Do you think you’ve built the best-looking office in your neighborhood, city, or state? How about in the country?
For the eighth consecutive year, Dental Economics® and Matsco will honor dental offices that have gone “above and beyond” in terms of design and function. The 2007 Dental Office Design Competition is now accepting entries.
“This has become one of the premier competitions in dentistry,” said Allison Farey, Matsco’s senior vice president. “We believe the changes we made to the judging system two years ago have allowed more competition in more categories. Our goal was to provide a platform for doctors to demonstrate their knowledge of dental office design, as well as learn from their colleagues’ design success stories. We know that peers can inspire their colleagues to achieve great things, whether it’s in the operatory or in the design process. By looking at space efficiency, the use of technology, and so many other criteria, this is truly a nationwide competition open to all practitioners who qualify.”
Again this year, a Dental Office Design of the Year winner will be chosen from each of two categories - Small Practice (one or two practitioners regularly working simultaneously in practice) and Group Practice (three or more practitioners regularly working simultaneously in practice). In addition, three Outstanding Achivement awards will be selected from the remaning offices, regardless of size:
• Design Efficiency - Space planning and use of square footage to meet practice needs and objectives.
• Systems/High-Tech Integration - Selection, integration, and use of technology appropriate for practice needs and objectives. Note: If technology is planned for but not implemented, documented evidence of future implementation is acceptable.
•New Dentist Practice - Construction, expansion, or remodel of the first practice owned by a doctor or group of doctors who have graduated from dental school since 1997.
“There are several benefits to this newer category structure,” Farey said. “By sharpening focus on design efficiency and functionality, it recognizes achievement in key areas of successful dental office design. Most importantly, by judging entries more on function and less on esthetics, it levels the playing field between ‘normal’ and ‘Taj Mahal’ offices.”
Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2007. Based on feedback from Competition judges and previous participants, the entry period has once again shifted away from year-end - and extended to six months - to allow doctors ample time to complete and submit their entries. Judging will occur in October with the winner announced live at the 2007 American Dental Association annual session in San Francisco. The Small Practice Dental Office Design of the Year winner will be featured on the cover of the December 2007 edition of DE® with the Group Practice winner displayed in an early 2008 article.
Entry forms and additional information about the 2007 Dental Office Design Competition can be obtained from Matsco. Call (800) 810-3778 or visit www.matsco.com. Articles on previous office design competition winners can be found online at www.dentaleconomics.com by searching for “Matsco.”
In addition to coverage in Dental Economics, “Dental Office Design of the Year” winners will also receive:
• A $2,500 bonus marketing fund.
• A showcase on Matsco's Web site.
• A showcase on Matsco's Web site.
• An office plaque, recognizing the office as "Dental Office Design of the Year."
Other winners will receive:
• A feature on Matsco's Web site.
• An office plaque, recognizing achievement in their particular category.
Additionally, each qualifying practice that submits an entry will receive a Certificate of Achievement, recognizing the practice’s commitment to excellence in dental office design.
