Ron Combs, Associate Editor
Dr. Simona Schley has a firm philosophy for her practice, The Institute of Esthetic Dentistry: to deliver "very personal" care by appointing fewer patients for longer appointments. "No, I don`t have a huge practice," she adds. "I treat an average of only six patients a day. But these patients are like family to me." Combining simplicity of shape and color for a look of elegance, her new office in bustling San Antonio, Texas, is an important focal point for delivering her family-oriented, cosmetic care.
"A great effort was made to design an office with efficient patient flow, yet it doesn`t give patients the slightest hint of being crowded or hectic," says Dr. Schley. "The idea was to create an environment for staff and patients that is very relaxed, one in which a patient doesn`t think `dental office` until the moment he or she enters the operatory." Walk into Dr. Schley`s reception area on the second floor of a professional building and it`s evident that the great effort has paid off for the doctor, her three-member staff and their patients.
Dr. Schley gave the task of designing the nondental-looking office to architect Jair Gonzales of Sago International Corporation in San Antonio. While the office is not large at just under 1,500 square feet, it appears much larger due to the simple, uncluttered design. Various areas of the office are defined with unusual partitions and shapes.
"Architect Erik Gonzales also plays an important role for us by keeping the office up-to-date with all the OSHA requirements and making the appropriate changes," adds Dr. Schley.
Among the colorful accents used throughout the office are paintings by Jair Gonzales, an award-winning painter, and other local artists. "We rotate the artists` work, sort of like a gallery," says Dr. Schley. "The staff members enjoy discussing and previewing the art with patients."
Have you built a new dental office? Renovated or remodeled an existing office? Your participation in Office of the Month is encouraged. Simply send 35mm color slides or color prints, a black-and-white floor plan and descriptive materials that will give us a fairly detailed look at the unique or main features of your office to: Ron Combs, Dental Economics, P.O. Box 3408, Tulsa, OK or telephone (918) 832-9271 for more information.
