How a building can 'Really Smile'
An Indianapolis office demonstrates how an innovative blueprint combines
a high-tech feel with a comforting coziness. The result was first place in
the Dental Office Design Competition.
By Barbara Baccei
 Breaking the mold was the design strategy for the new offices of Drs. Rod Strickland
and Dave Smith of Fishers, Ind. Their practice, Really Smile Dental, was awarded the
grand prize in The Matsco Companies Dental Office Design Competition 2000. The practice
also tied for first place in the competition's high-tech integration category.
"Dentistry has changed from the traditional approach we learned in school to the new age
of adhesives," said Dr. Strickland. "We wanted to create a building reflecting the new
paradigm -- something that matched our philosophy of treating patients."
That philosophy, "high-tech treatment mixed with high-touch care," is evident from the
moment patients approach the inviting curved glass entry through their end-visit review
of treatment plans and financial arrangements at private checkout desks. All elements of
the floor plan, structuring, and furnishings support the most technologically advanced
approach to treatment while giving patients a comfortable and individualized experience.
The unique artistry of the building amplifies the uniqueness of the practice. Brick,
limestone, and a stucco façade immediately communicate a sense of style and innovation.
Were it not for the prominent signage, a passersby would be hard pressed to identify the
exquisite structure as a dental practice. Yet, this was an intention of the strategic
design -- a means of communicating immediately that Really Smile Dental is
"a different kind of dentistry." Even the outside curve and landscaping which flows with
the architecture proclaim that this high-tech office offers dentistry unlike any other
dental experience.
 Entering the sleek, curved-glass entry that glows like a mouthful of shining veneers,
patients find themselves in a luxurious reception area with the feel of a sophisticated
hotel. There is an instant overturn of their models of the typical dental office where a
receptionist slides back a glass window and hands them a clipboard for check in. They step
up to a polished wood reception desk with a curvature that echoes the exterior façade.
They are greeted by name by a cheerful staff member and offered a beverage. All fears
about the potential of a painful dental experience immediately fade.
Even the wait for treatment is pleasurable due to the environment and volume of
operatories. Separate waiting areas for adults and children cater to their unique
sensibilities. The children's area features a captivating 1,000-gallon salt water
aquarium, toy furniture, colorful books, and a 43-inch television tuned for patient
education, and a workstation with a computer and telephone. Just as they get comfortable,
they are ushered into an operatory and prepped for treatment.
"In our old office, we understood what it was like to lose efficiency due to lack of
space," said Dr. Strickland. "If any procedure took longer than usual, the next patient
had to wait or reschedule since there were no treatment rooms available. This was
unacceptable with the standards of our practice."
The new facility has been designed with overflow operatories to accommodate patients when
procedures go over time and erode the schedule. That enables patients to be admitted into
overflow treatment rooms and prepped in time for the doctors to complete the overtime
procedures and turn their attention to the next patient. It diminishes the traditional
downtime and frustration experienced when a practice must wait to treat patients until
and operatory can be vacated and cleaned.
 Even inside the operatory, patients have an atypical dental experience. Each room has an
outside window with a scenic view. The layout and furnishings are ergonomically designed
with doctor, patients, and assistant comfort in mind. Procedures are delivered with the
most advanced technology ensured by Cat 6 network cabling. To provide enough electrical
power for all components, along with dedicated power for equipment sensitive to energy
fluctuations, an isolation transformer has been installed. The design called for an
inventive means of wiring the intraoral camera, Caesy patient education system, Planmeca
digital radiography, and computer onto a regular 27-inch television monitor and computer
monitor.
Selecting the right architect was critical to the project. Using an initial floor plan
created with a representative from Patterson Dental Co., the doctors began surveying the
field for an appropriate candidate. They found three possibilities in their local market
but went no further than the first interview because they found an ideal match in the
Indianapolis firm of Bowning, Day, Mullins and Deardorf. Even without direct experience
developing dental properties, the doctors knew this architectural firm could turn their
vision into reality.
"If you want to create something really outstanding, you have to surround yourself with
the right people," commented Dr. Smith. "We found it was very easy to work with our
architect, John Lindstaedt, because he had no preconceived ideas about how the office
should turn out."
 The doctors had found someone who could think "outside the box" with them. Because Lindstaedt
was not entrenched by traditional dental design solutions, he was able to illuminate the
doctors' vision of creating a totally different dental experience.
With an understanding of the doctors' desires in terms of functionality and patient flow,
Linderstaedt interviewed every staff member and then developed a design strategy. The final
design was a true team effort created through an evolving progression of drawings that
incorporated staff changes in function and the architect's changes in form. Nearly one year
in process, the planning involved mechanical and structural engineers who also were new to
the infrastructure specifics of a dental office.
"Obviously, the costs were greater because we had to pay for some of the learning curve but, in
the end, we got exactly the office we'd envisioned," said Dr. Strickland.
Marrying the intimacy of a small office experience with the advantages of a high-tech environment
in a fully integrated, 16-operatory practice was the challenge.
"We didn't want the bowling alley effect,"said Dr. Smith, "with one long hallway leading to all
the operatories."
 The architect translated those desires into connected avenues of curved glass walls in the same
theme as the exterior. Creating discrete areas for clinical, administrative, and reception
functions, the curved-glass walls also provide adequate sound barriers while allowing light
to shine through. The result is a feeling of openness mixed with the benefits of privacy.
While technology integration is in its infancy in dentistry, Really Smile Dentistry endeavors
to push the envelope. They have made great inroads in becoming a truly paperless, chartless
office. A film-less digital radiography system and dental software allow the team to chart
filling, decay, periodontal disease, and other case-specific findings. And they are working
with the software companies to create more efficient integration with voice charting.
With patient care at the forefront of planning, the doctors have made a tremendous investment in
technology and a commitment to ensuring that it is effectively utilized. To that end, great
emphasis is placed on educating patients about the use of innovative technology for effective
treatment. All patients are shown intraoral photographs of their mouths as an aid to teaching
them about their dental problems and having them buy in to the prescribed treatment.
The photographs are efficiently taken on stand-alone cameras in each operatory and are networked
onto the server for accessing from any treatment or consultation room.
"We recommend the same treatment to our patients that we would recommend to our families," said
Dr. Strickland. "When patients are convinced that we have their best interests at heart and they
are convinced of the value of treating teeth with the best techniques and materials possible, we
build the foundation for a long-term patient relationship."
Relationship is also at the foundation of the professional partnership of Drs. Smith and Strickland.
After successfully creating a combined dental lab to serve their individual practices, they began to
discover that they shared the same philosophy of practice and a dream for the ideal office. That led
to the decision to practice together under the corporate moniker ADKOD (A Different Kind of Dentistry).
Today, that philosophy is championed by their team and manifest in the style of their office.
"We go overboard to try to take care of our patients' needs," said Dr. Smith. "We earn our patients'
trust and respect by going beyond the call of duty." That commitment is evidenced by the doctors'
willingness to respond personally to emergencies, make follow-up calls after difficult treatments,
and invest in the people, systems, and facilities that have totally transformed the way the community
of Fishers, Ind., looks at dentistry.
What advice do they offer to other dentist embarking on a new office design? "If you want something unique,
find an architect that has not done a lot of dental buildings before," suggested Dr. Strickland.
"Find someone who has created buildings that appeal to you and who doesn't have preconceived notions.
Show the plans to a lot of different people, not just dental people. Listen to their feedback.
Get involved with the contractor early on. The contractor can assist in the design process and help
keep the project on budget."
For information about the next annual Dental Office Design competition, call Matsco at (800) 326-0376.
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