Starting over again

The Cleo Treatment Centre made best use of the small, awkwardly shaped rooms.

Somewhat unexpectedly dentist Raj Rattan was recently offered the opportunity of buying a small practice about five minutes’ walk from his existing one, which he has owned since 1986 in West Wickham, Kent. Initially he had some doubts, feeling that he was already well established and didn’t really want the additional responsibility. However, after various approaches and further thought he changed his mind and purchased the premises and practice from his retiring, erstwhile competition.

While opting to maintain the newly purchased business as a discrete entity separate from the main practice, Raj decided to keep it running exactly as before for a period of about a year to get a feel for it. In due course he decided it needed upgrading and updating. The choice was whether to refurbish it in one go over a short period of time or piecemeal over a longer duration. The short, sharp shock technique won out and the planning started in earnest. Being on a corner, the premises presented space that was small and also somewhat awkwardly shaped, so the three surgeries needed to be well planned for the ergonomics of modern working and for contemporary design. DDPC, his architects, were up for the challenge and created a beautiful interior design. They worked hand-in-hand with a project manager who Raj appointed to oversee the whole task and to liaise with other parties involved, including builders, dental equipment suppliers and practice staff.