Emily Pieshefski, Interior Designer with Benco Dental Design offers six topics dentists should consider when designing a dental practice.
Emily Pieshefski, Interior Designer with Benco Dental Design offers six topics dentists should consider when designing a dental practice.

In this article, part two of a design series for dentists, Emily Pieshefski, Interior Designer with Benco Dental Design discusses topics dentists should consider when designing a dental practice. Dentists can define their personal style and the mood they want to create through interior design.

In part one of this dental practice design series, Pieshefski explained the best way to get started on any interior design project: 1. Identify what inspires and 2. Make time for a big-picture overview of all the design options and details. Read more about those topics HERE.

Today, in the second installment of the series, Pieshefski takes dentists on a journey to: 3. Focus on the mood they want to create with the help of interior design and 4. Define their personal style.

Learn more about 17 style categories below.

3. Focus on the mood you want to create through your dental practice interior design.

There’s a fine delineation between exciting and overstimulating, and with expert direction in the area of interior design, every dental practice can find the balance.

Serene and calm? Comfortable? Elevated and grand? As the owner and visionary, each dentist is invited to establish the mood at their dental practice. Then, select interior design elements to convey that message.

“The mood you want your space to give off is going to help drive interior design decisions. If you want a calming vibe, for example, you’re going to want to gravitate toward softer colors with more subtle textures and patterns.”

Emily Pieshefski, Interior Designer with Benco Dental Design

4. Define the personal style of your dental practice interior design.

Style, by definition, is a distinctive manner of expression, a particular mode of living, or technique by which something is done. Every dentist likely has clear vision for the style of care they provide at their practice. When it comes to interior design, though, their opinions may be more fluid. Here’s a look at 17 style preferences and their key elements.  

6 topics a dentist should consider when designing a dental practice: Define your style and the mood you want to create though interior design
Glass and natural light (shown) accent the Contemporary style at Cornerstone Dental Group, Harrisburg, North Carolina.

* CONTEMPORARY

The vision of Dr. Archana Dhawan at Oakland Orthodontics, 2789 Rochester Road, Troy, MI 48083, and her Benco Dental Design team includes Contemporary style elements such as glass, and clean lines. Read more about how Dr. Dhawan incorporated her personal brand into other elements at the practice HERE. (Photo courtesy Incisal Edge Magazine, April 19, 2021)
The vision of Dr. Archana Dhawan at Oakland Orthodontics, 2789 Rochester Road, Troy, MI 48083, and her Benco Dental Design team includes Contemporary style elements such as glass, and clean lines. Read more about how Dr. Dhawan incorporated her personal brand into other elements at the practice HERE. (Photo courtesy Incisal Edge Magazine, April 19, 2021)

Constantly evolving, contemporary style delivers a sense of the here and now. Are you drawn to clean lines and a focus on natural light, glass and metal, and a neutral color palette? Then the open feel of contemporary design is calling.

* TRADITIONAL

Classic and orderly, traditional style features ornate architectural details, dark wood tones and striped or floral patterns.

* TRANSITIONAL

Endodontics of Atlanta, Decatur, Georgia, exemplifies Transitional style. Drs. Jeffrey Waters & J. Carlos Griswold selected warm tones with their Benco Dental Design interior design team.

Crisp and refreshing, Transitional style mixes traditional and modern design elements and includes either warm tones, cool tones, or a blend of both.

* MODERN MINIMAL

Modern Minimal style at Smile Design Studios, Missouri City, Texas, Dr. Simone Ellis

Simple lines and shapes signify Modern Minimal style. Clean and crisp, this style spotlights natural materials and neutral colors.

* MID CENTURY MODERN

This design movement of Mid Century Modern style was popularized from the 1940s through late 1960s, featuring a Scandinavian simplistic influence. Its signatures include abstract prints, clean lines, function and practicality

Cameo Dental Specialists interior design showcases Industrial style, in their multi-speciality environment in Chicago, Illinois.

* INDUSTRIAL

Exposed architectural elements, concrete, steel, iron and wood signify Industrial style. Part of its charm: simple color palette and raw function form.

* MODERN RUSTIC

Warm informal elegance arrives with Modern Rustic style. Layers of exposed natural elements combine with modern furniture to set the tone.

* SCANDINAVIAN

Scandinavian style promotes simplicity, minimalism and functionality. Expect light wood and a muted or neutral color palette.

* MODERN FARMHOUSE

The interior design at Krum Dental Associahttps://www.krumdental.com/tes, Krum, Texas, created with Benco Dental Design, includes the exposed beams, shiplap (shown) and barn doors often associated with Modern Farmhouse style.

Relaxed and comforting, Modern Farmhouse style offers neutral color schemes. This style is accentuated by smooth lines, industrial accents, exposed beams, shiplap and barn doors.

* FRENCH COUNTRY

Shabby Chic and Classic Farmhouse styles blend in French Country style to offer both simplicity and a rustic country aesthetic. This style exudes old world charm and a relaxed and welcoming color palette.

* COASTAL

With Coastal style, soothing color palette and natural finishes allow nautical patterns to stand out. Striped fabrics and wallcoverings can be found in these comfortable, relaxed settings.

* SPA ZEN

The balanced, calming atmosphere of Spa Zen style incorporates natural light woods, plants and water features.

At the South San Francisco location of Quijano Dentistry, metallic finishes on the furniture, wall decor, lighting (all shown) and reception desk all support the practice’s Glam Art Deco style. Dr. Generoso Quijano Jr. and Dr. Anna Valera-Quijano collaborated with Benco Dental Design to create this beautiful office design.

* GLAM ART DECO

Luxurious and dramatic, Glam Art Deco style presents bold accent colors, metallic finishes and clean lines.

* EARTHY ORGANIC

The Earthy Organic style brings the outdoors in with natural light, plants and warm woods. Its neutral palette focuses on woods and greens.

* BOHEMIAN

Casual and eclectic Bohemian style is inspired by nature and culture. Highlights include warm tones and a variety of textures and patterns.

* ECLECTIC

Eclectic style melds a variety of styles and elements but delivers a cohesive look through color, texture and shape.

* FAMILY FRIENDLY

The Family Friendly style at The Kid's Dentist in Owings Mills, Maryland garnered Dr. Nneka Davis recognition nationwide as Best Specialty Practice category in the 2021 Incisal Edge Design Competition.
The Family Friendly style at The Kid’s Dentist in Owings Mills, Maryland garnered Dr. Nneka Davis recognition nationwide as Best Specialty Practice category in the 2021 Incisal Edge Design Competition.

Lively and dynamic, Family Friendly style delivers bold pops of color and playful design elements.

>>> Want help creating a cohesive brand and selecting ‘wow’ factor for your dental practice interior design?

Check back at TheDailyFloss.com in the coming weeks for part three of this interior design series, 6 topics every dentist should consider when designing a dental practice.

Feeling inspired, but still not sure how to bring dental practice interior design ideas to life?

>>> Looking for personalized interior design expertise?

For details on how to create a dental office interior design that inspires dental patients and the entire dental team, email design@benco.com

>>> Ready for additional design guidance?

Begin an online master class where dentists can work at their own pace: Build Your Future® On-Demand. Available at the online learning platform of thevirtual Build Your Future:

  • over a dozen design-centric content modules.
  • a range of experts who can answer your questions and offer valuable advice across applicable specialties, including Dr. Tristan Hamilton, one of America’s leading experts in dentistry and architecture, and Melissa Sprau, NCIDQ, Benco Dental Director of Design.