The issue of global climate change is one of the most serious challenges the world is currently grappling with. Companies across all sectors must act responsibly and take action, no matter how small, to promote environmental sustainability. Therefore. As a dental care provider, it is your prerogative to not only focus on cost-friendly dental clinic design but also pay equal attention to environmentally friendly and sustainable design of your dental clinic.
In this article, we explore the different ways you can plan a modern dental practice design that is environmentally conscious and sustainable. But before we get into the details, it’s important to understand how sustainability can be integrated into the design, furnishing and renovation of buildings.
Integrating sustainability into building and design
When it comes to bringing sustainable design to your dental clinic, numerous factors play a crucial role in making it a reality. These include optimal use of natural resources such as energy and water, renewable sources and the use of environmentally friendly materials.
An eco-friendly dental office design can make you extremely popular among people who genuinely care about the environment, especially your GenZ patients. This will also increase the value of your assets for years to come and minimize your operating costs.
Now that you have a brief idea of why sustainability is important and how it can be incorporated into construction and design, let’s look at some practical ways to incorporate sustainability into your dental clinic design.
Tips for sustainable clinic design
Below are some ways you can do your eco-friendly planning dental clinic interior design.
1. Use of daylight
If you have an independent dental practice, it is worthwhile to install environmentally friendly equipment such as skylights and glass windows/doors. There is also no point in using artificial light during the day. Therefore, you can disable their utility and use them only in the evening.
By doing this, you will save a reasonable amount on your energy bill. Moreover, having natural light creates a positive atmosphere, not only for your employees but also for the patients. This will lead to an increase in productivity and will also relieve your patients from unnecessary stress.
Harley Street-based Your Dentist relies on daylight and has significantly reduced its reliance on artificial lighting for its daily activities. This has not only reduced operating costs, but has also made the company a leading environmentally friendly company in the region.
2. Increasing energy efficiency
Reducing electricity consumption in your dental clinic can be a positive step toward environmental sustainability. The question now is what you can do to save energy. The solution is very simple. Install solar panels to power your dental clinic!
In addition to solar panels, there are also other, cleaner alternatives that you can choose. These are smart devices, including your fans, smart plugs, lighting and the installation of a complete smart hub in your dental practice building. The big advantage of using these smart devices is the enormous savings in energy consumption. In addition to these smart solutions, you can also save energy by automatically switching off lighting and monitoring your air conditioning.
3. Use of environmentally friendly materials
Most building and design materials are now available in environmentally friendly variants. The best example is linoleum floors. You may wonder what is the need for it if we can use vinyl flooring instead. Well, there is a difference you will notice. Linoleum floors are the best replacement for the latter when it comes to environmental friendliness. Compared to your regular vinyl floors, linoleum floors are cheaper and have greater durability.
In addition, an environmentally friendly cabinet structure can also be put into use without the addition of urea-formaldehyde. There are other things you may find necessary for your eco-friendly dental clinic, such as the installation of biodegradable ceiling and wall panels. Using the paint without VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) can also be a great eco-friendly move.
4. Use of recycled materials
We have mentioned the materials that come as the best eco-friendly variants. These include solar panels, linoleum floors and the sensible use of smart appliances such as fans, smart plugs and lighting. But there is something else we are overlooking. This is the use of recycled materials for your dental equipment.
For example, when Surrey-based Dental Sense approached us to renovate their dental clinic, we kept five key elements of recycling in mind. These were plastic, paper, aluminum, glass and steel. That’s why a large part of the clinic has been designed using only environmentally friendly items. Additionally, the clinic uses furniture made from reclaimed and recycled wood.
Conclusion
In this blog we have mentioned the important environmentally friendly measures you can take to make your dental practice more sustainable. Consider the use of glass doors and windows for maximum use of daylight. Furthermore, the use of smart devices can result in greater energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the importance of using recycled and repurposed furniture can never be overstated. Using recycled building materials can go a long way in building your dental clinic into an eco-friendly space.
Author biography
UV Jadeja, the head honcho at Divo Interiors BV in London, has spent a significant number of years in the commercial fit-out and renovation industry, specializing in dental practices. Under his leadership, the company has designed and renovated clinics at some of the country’s best-known dental practices. He often shares his insights and extensive industry knowledge with the general public through engaging blog posts.
