Design Statement

The main objective of the design of the Heartland Dental Center of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is to create a clean, professional, and welcoming environment to serve those with complications regarding the face, jaw, and mouth. The design will focus on creating a balance of natural colors and textures. Private rooms will align with HIPAA privacy guidelines and all parts of the building will be ADA compliant. A commonly repeated color scheme consisting of white, wood, stone, and greenery, will create a sense of unity within the entire building. The final layout will create a loop in which patients can follow the natural movement of the traffic that leads them to the main office no matter their location in the building. The design should provide the incoming patients with the best possible experience throughout their treatment.

Design Theory

The Heartland Dental Center was designed utilizing the functionalism design theory. This theory of design focuses on three main concepts- function, fitness, and utility. Beauty and aesthetics are additional notions that integrate their way into these concepts (Nussbaumer, 2009, p.22). The functionalism theory places focus on spatial planning, design elements and principles, lighting, and appropriate FF&E.

This theory of placing function and utility as the top priority is seen applied all throughout the design of the oral surgeon office. The layout is made to create a hallway that creates a loop around all of the offices and areas that are predominately used by the staff. This way, the patients are always able to find their way to the receptionist at the main entrance, and the working stations for the staff are not disrupted by patients and hallway traffic. Finishes, furniture and equipment are chosen in their ability to meet fire codes, sustainability, durability, cleanability, and the physical and phycological needs of the patients and workers.

Target Group

The Heartland Dental Center of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a multi-purpose dental care organization that specializes in jaw realignment and implant surgery. Oral surgeons differ from dentists in that they have an additional four-to-six-year surgical residency to practice oral pathology, anesthesia, etc. General dentists will deal with teeth cleaning, X-rays, dental fillings, and root canals. Oral surgeons receive specialized training to treat more complex conditions relating to the face, mouth, and jaw. This includes surgery for wisdom teeth removal, tumor removal, implants, and jaw realignment surgery.

Research Summary

An oral surgeon office should be built to promote the safety and well-being of all who enter while providing functionality and formality to the building. Construction, layout, and building materials must meet fire codes and contain multiple safety exits and proper signage. All spaces must be ADA compliant and allow space for a wheelchair approach. Proper signage and wayfinding should be displayed to allow ease of navigation. Furniture in treatment rooms should be adjustable to the ergonomics and anthropometrics of each patient and doctor.

Public spaces such as the waiting room and reception area should be open, approachable, and welcoming to patients. Private spaces such as treatment rooms, financial offices, and patient education rooms will meet HIPAA privacy guidelines through the use of sound absorbing materials, full length walls, and frosted glass that prevents people from looking into the private rooms.

1. Signage

Exit signs showing the location of each exit is essential to wayfinding and fire safety.

2. ADA Fixtures

ADA compliant sinks and drinking fountains are in the brushing station along with all restrooms.

3. Nature

Decorative plants and greenery help to reduce stress and betters the interior air quality.

4. Natural Light

Curtain walls allow natural light to enter into the center rooms

5. Form & Space

A small partition wall is used to lightly separate the space into two creating a sterilization station that is open and free to move around in.

6. Texture

A stone wall covering adds another texture to an otherwise flat space while adding another natural element to the design.

7 Private Spaces

Frosted glass allows for extra natural light while maintaining privacy for patients in

Color Research

Healthcare design is often chosen in the context of color theory and the phycological effect that colors can have on people. In the case of any healthcare profession, any way to minimize stress in individuals and promote feelings of happiness and well-being should be used. Incorporating nature into a building’s interior has proven to reduce stress, improve memory, and increase feelings of kindness, happiness, and creativity. Studies show that natural and tactical materials such as wood and stone engage with people’s sense of touch which subconsciously encourages them to feel more comfortable interacting with the space (Channon, 2019).

The Heartland Dental Center’s color scheme is heavily influenced by the impact of nature on the human psyche. The walls many accessories are colored white with black trim for the windows and doors to give the sense of cleanliness and formality. Wood is a common material and finish for the office. The brown wood colors reflect nature and bring feelings of security, warmth, and comfort. The blue used in the upholstery and throughout the building encourages tranquility, trust, and healing. The building’s public spaces are also decorated with plenty of greenery to further incorporate nature and promote the feeling of harmony, growth and healing (Olesen,2013).

Spatial Organization

The spatial organization of the plan follows a linear pattern that wraps around the facility, with a focus on keeping patient areas along the rooms attached to the exterior walls. Rooms are lined up one after the other leading down a hallway that always leads to the main entrance and reception desk to check out. This linear organization provides a layout that is easy to navigate and organizes rooms based on their function and use group (Ghosh, 2020).

works cited

Channon, Ben. Understanding the Impact of Design on Mental Health, 22 Aug 2019. https://resources.wellcertified.com/articles/understanding-the-impact-of-design-on-mental-health.

Ghosh. Prerana Spatial Organization in Architecture. Blarrow, 14 May 2020.

https://blarrow.tech/spatial-organization-in-architecture/.

Olesen, Jacob. Phycological Effects of Color in Interior Design, 2021.

https://www.color-meanings.com/psychological-effects-color-interior-design/

Nussbaumer, Linda L, Evidence Based Design, Fairchild Books. New York, 2009.