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.
Project management
With the exception of the retiring dentist, the team at One Dental Care, so named as its street address is No 1, remained the same and their input was of crucial importance for the continuing success of the mixed NHS and private practice serving over 4,000 patients in the area.
‘Having the project manager was crucially important. Having someone to get the various planning permissions alone was a huge help, never mind the plethora of other valuable roles undertaken,’ said Raj.
In refurbishing the three surgeries, one of which needed to be for a left-handed dentist, Raj sought the help of Anglian Dental for supplying the equipment and Barry Knapp of Belmont. ‘I chose Belmont chairs and equipment because I have always found them totally reliable and efficient. They were in the first practice I ever worked in after qualifying and I have been impressed over all those years with their need for minimal servicing which, when required, is easily achieved and at a modest cost. It is difficult to ask for more. Anglian Dental managed the installation of the surgeries and was a huge help. The individual surgery designs were difficult shapes and it was no mean feat to achieve the final result including a fully functioning ambidextrous room. If you have confidence in your supplier you can get on with your “day job” and leave them to do what they do best.’
With careful and co-operative planning the practice had to be closed for only two days throughout the works and although it ran at less than full capacity for some of the three months that the project took to complete the overall disruption was minimal.
As far as advice to colleagues in a similar situation is concerned, Raj noted that having been out of the building and refurbishing loop for some years the changes in health and safety requirements are substantial. He even engaged a separate company specifically for this aspect of the venture.
Acknowledging the huge credit to the staff for their input and perseverance during the process, he also recognises the skill and experience of the design professionals in giving One Dental Care a contemporary feel while remaining very functional.