If you are a dentist and you have ever walked a patient outside with your shade guide and a mirror - you need to read this!
I once managed a gorgeous dental practice with large windows everywhere. There was a big window in almost every treatment area plus two story tall windows in the reception area.
The practice was in the northeast part of San Diego which unlike the coastal areas can have triple digit summers and direct sunlight pounded through the east and west windows every day.
The windows were generously coated with tint and had sun screen shades which helped diffuse the flooding sunlight - but even with the tint, there were times of year where we had to wear sunglasses at the front desk in order to work with the afternoon sun - not kidding!
Additionally, the walls were painted a rich chocolate brown. The fluorescent lights, darkened windows combined with the deep warm paint shade - not so great for capturing restorative shades accurately. The dentist had to uproot patients from their chairs to take them outside (with their bibs still on) just to get the right shade.
Spending 5-10 minutes per crown procedure to capture shade reduces chairtime profitability.
For a profitable 1-2 doctor practice doing 20 crowns on average per month, that's roughly $65,000 in lost production opportunity annually. Not to mention the extra chair time (and team payroll) for lab redos because the shade isn’t right!
“Have you seen my sunglasses?” -T
The Dark Side of Fluorescent Lighting
It's time to ditch the warehouse chic and adopt modern technology if you're still relying on fluorescent lights. Not only do these outdated bulbs cause headaches and eye strain for both providers and patients (source), but they also decrease accuracy during procedures.
In a world where we strive for perfection in every aspect of our dental practices, don't let something as simple (and fixable) as poor lighting hold you back. It's time to step into the light and create an environment that benefits everyone involved - including your bottom line.
The lighting in your practice could be costing you a lot of money if not optimized properly. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, it is important to consider the effects of fluorescent lighting on dental work.
Fluorescent Lighting Decreases Accuracy
Oh, how we love those buzzing fluorescent lights. They're just perfect for giving your dental practice that sterile, industrial feel that everyone adores. Kidding! But did you know they can actually decrease the accuracy of your work? Shocking, right?
Studies have shown that natural light is far superior when it comes to performing intricate procedures like dental restorations. It turns out our eyes are designed to function best under sunlight - who would've thought?
The Buzz: Nothing says "relaxing environment" quite like a constant humming noise coming from the ceiling. Fluorescent lights not only provide subpar lighting conditions but also contribute to an annoying subliminal auditory experience for both patients and team.
Eyestrain & Fatigue: With poor lighting conditions from fluorescents, everyone will be squinting their way through each procedure while dreaming about going home early.
Mood Killers: As if being at the dentist wasn't already stressful enough for some people, let's add flickering lights into the mix. Research has indicated that extended exposure to these types of unnatural illuminations may cause psychological issues such as distress and dejection.
The quality of lighting in your practice matters! Consider upgrading to LED lighting, which offers better color rendering, energy efficiency, and longevity while also being kinder on the eyes of both team and patients.
Fluorescent lighting has been proven to decrease accuracy in dental practice environments, making it a less than ideal choice for an office design. On the other hand, healthy and natural lighting can greatly improve the experience of patients and team alike.
Fluorescent lighting in dental offices can decrease accuracy and cause eyestrain, fatigue, and mood disorders. Upgrading to LED lighting is a better option as it offers better color rendering, energy efficiency, longevity while being kinder on the eyes of both team and patients. So ditch those outdated fluorescents if you want to create a relaxing environment for your patients.
Healthy, Natural Lighting Improves Experience
Did you know that the lighting in a dental office can affect the experience of both patients and providers? Fluorescent lighting, for example, can cause headaches and eye strain, which is not ideal for anyone trying to get their hygiene care. In fact, it can even elevate anxiety levels subconsciously, leading to feelings of mental distress. That's why it's important to consider healthy, natural lighting options a top priority for your dental office design layout.
Natural light is good for our health - both mentally and physically (source). Why not bring some of that goodness into your dental practice? Patients will be more at ease (and less like they're confined in a subterranean fortress), which could result in better patient loyalty. And let's not forget about your team - they'll thank you for the improved working conditions. It's important to have a strategic balance of natural light that isn’t too bright or dark.
Here are some benefits of natural lighting:
Better Mood: Natural light has been proven to improve mood and overall well-being. By incorporating natural light into your dental office, you can help your patients feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Increased Productivity: Your clinical team will also benefit from natural lighting. With less eye strain and fatigue, they'll be able to work more efficiently and effectively.
Patient Retention: When your patients aren't dreading coming back due to migraine-inducing lights and a sterile clinical feel, there's a higher chance they'll actually return for future appointments.
If you want to create an award-winning dental practice with happy patients and employees, consider ditching those outdated fluorescents in favor of some lovely natural light sources or at least upgrading them with modern LED lights. Not only will it improve the experience for everyone involved, but it might just help you bask in the glow of success - literally.
People are staring at their phones more than ever which exposes them to an unhealthy amount of blue light. This is also a source of stress and fatigue. Fluorescent lights compound this effect. For more information on the importance of limiting blue light exposure, check out this article.
Healthy, natural lighting is a great way to create an inviting atmosphere in your dental office that can improve the overall experience for both staff and patients. With energy saving rebates available, updating your lighting could be even more beneficial to you financially as well as aesthetically.
The windows had to be tinted heavily. A lighter neutral shade of interior paint and non-fluorescent bulbs would have created a more balanced environment for recording accurate restoration shades from the treatment chair.
Proper lighting is crucial for a dental office design layout, as it impacts the bottom line of your practice. Outdated fluorescent bulbs cause headaches and eye strain while decreasing accuracy during procedures; therefore, modern technology should be embraced to improve working conditions and increase patients' satisfaction. Natural light can lead to higher retention rates, improved team morale, and energy-saving rebates are available from some companies that help ease the financial burden of making these changes.
You May Be Eligible for Energy Saving Rebates When Updating Your Lighting
As if you needed another reason to update your dental office's lighting, here comes the cherry on top: energy-saving rebates. That's right, some energy companies offer rebate programs that can help ease the financial investment of replacing your outdated and headache-inducing fluorescent lights with something more efficient and natural.
I mean, who wouldn't want to save money while also improving their practice? It's like getting paid to eat cake (which we all know is a dentist's favorite pastime).
Research available rebates: Start by checking out what kind of energy-saving incentives are offered in your area. Some utility companies provide cashback or discounts on LED lighting upgrades - because apparently they care about the environment too. Check out this resource for California rebate programs.
Contact an expert: If navigating through these rebate programs feels as confusing as trying to understand why people lie about flossing, don't worry. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the rebate programs, don't hesitate to enlist the help of experts who specialize in helping businesses make use of these opportunities.
Evaluate long-term savings: While you're at it, consider how much money you could save over time by switching from those dreadful fluorescents to LEDs or other energy-efficient options. Sure, it might not seem like much now, but think about all those extra lattes you could buy with that saved cash down the road.
It's high time you gave your dental office a lighting makeover. Not only will it improve the overall experience for both patients and staff (and save you from having to wear sunglasses indoors), but it could also help pad your wallet with some sweet energy-saving rebates. Now go forth and conquer those fluorescents.
Updating your dental office's lighting can not only improve the overall experience for patients and team, but it could also save you money through energy-saving rebates. Consult your local utility provider to learn about the available rebates and incentives, and consider enlisting a specialist for assistance with these programs. Don't forget to evaluate long-term savings when making the switch from fluorescent lights to LED or other energy-efficient options.
Long Story Short
Fluorescent lighting can decrease accuracy and lead to lower production levels, while healthy natural lighting has been shown to improve overall experience. Additionally, updating your lighting could make you eligible for energy-saving rebates.
If you're an established private dental practice owner who is looking to optimize their office design layout, consider how the right lighting can positively affect your bottom line.
My name is Tricia Lanette and I am a Brand Strategist + Creative Director. I founded Electric Paradise Creative to bring a fresh perspective to branding women in business. Just like dentistry is about more than just teeth; branding is about more than just logos and colors. It's about celebrating the personal stories, passions and success that make each woman unique and we bring those stories to life with creativity, energy, and touch of rebellion. 💅🏼🪩🦩🎬
