There is so much more to designing a dental practice than determining the best position for the dental chair or the reception desk. Not only do you have to think about building regulations, best practice compliance, space optimisation and brand representation, but you also have to consider how your patients – and your team – will interact with the space. Accessibility and inclusivity are essential factors for a successful dental practice design, so it’s crucial that principals understand both what they are and how to incorporate them into their vision.
What it all means
Inclusive design is defined as the creation of spaces that can be used and/or enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or impairment, ethnicity or religion. It is essential to ensure that people with different needs are able to access the services, goods or experiences being offered, eliminating the potential for discrimination. This is particularly important in a healthcare setting such as the dental practice, where all sorts of people will need to access care safely and comfortably.
The UK government sets out Accessibility Principles[i] for all businesses and service providers to follow. These are:
- Inclusion is better than empathy – avoid unconscious bias towards those with a disability or additional needs
- Accessible design is good design – any design should meet the needs of a wide range of people
- Start with what works – keep it simple and only add complexity as required
- If it’s not accessible, it’s not done – accessibility is law, it’s not a choice
- This is still for everyone – don’t focus on one particular group of people, try to meet everyone’s needs
As eluded to above, accessibility is mandatory as part of several laws and standards governing all sectors, businesses and industries in the UK. These include the Equality Act 2010,[ii] which requires that adjustments be made to facilitate access for all people, including those with disabilities. Different sectors also have their own guidelines to ensure accessibility, for example, the Royal Institute of British Architects published the Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work[iii] to help related professionals create accessible designs.
Aside from improving the environment for patients, inclusive design is also beneficial for the professional team, offering a more inclusive place to work. Market research suggests that inclusive workplace designs and policies mean the team are 28% more engaged at work, 43% more committed to the company and 51% more likely to recommend the organisation as a great place to work.[iv]
Application in practice
It’s necessary to understand who you are designing the space for. UK statistics[v] from 2022/23 show that around 24% of the population have a disability. Of these, around 48% report a mobility impairment, 34% a mental health condition, 35% dexterity impairment and 15% a learning disability, while 12% have issues with hearing and 12% with vision.
Some principles of accessible design are easier to implement than others, but there is a lot to consider when envisioning your new dental practice. Physical access is the most obvious requirement, ensuring a wheelchair user or someone with a mobility impairment can easily enter the practice, a surgery and the bathroom is essential. This could mean installing ramps, automatic doors (or button operated doors), lifts, and placing reception desks or ceiling light switches at varying heights.
However, accessible design is so much more than this. Regarding auditory and visual accessibility, dental practices could offer hearing loop systems, train staff to use basic sign language, and ensure high contrast colours for important signs, texts and information leaflets. The option to have forms read aloud or available in different font sizes/braille are further ways of making more people feel as included and comfortable as possible.
Though more difficult to achieve due to the broad scope of people’s needs, dental practice spaces must also be designed for neurodiversity. This encompasses those with a broad range of conditions from autism to ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. An appropriate design should consider the sensory environment created, incorporating everything from lighting and reflective surfaces, to colours, background noise, fragrances and material choices for high-touch areas or furniture.
Clearly there is a huge amount to think about when designing your dental practice. That’s why it is essential to enlist the technical expertise and support of specialists in the field, such as the team at RPA Dental. They will help you achieve the perfect blend of style, elegance, accessibility and functionality for a practice that will ensure an exceptional patient and professional experience. With state-of-the-art design software, an array of industry-leading equipment and unparalleled knowledge of dentistry, RPA Dental will be by your side throughout the process from start to finish.
Sustainability optimised
It’s important to remember that ensuring accessibility does not hinder creativity or innovation. Instead, it ensures that the largest number of people will be able to utilise the beautiful space you have built. This is crucial for the modern dental practice, which will regularly welcome a variety of patients with a broad spectrum of needs. This approach to design will also future-proof your business, encouraging a sustainable design that will stand the test of time.
For more detail about the solutions and services available from RPA Dental, please visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk, call 08000 933 975 or email info@rpadental.net
Author: Adam Shaw, Sales Director RPA Dental Ltd
[i] DWP Accessibility Manual. Accessibility principles. https://accessibility-manual.dwp.gov.uk/community/accessibility-principles [Accessed October 2024]
[ii] Equality Act 2010. Legislation.co.uk. UK Public General Acts. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents [Accessed October 2024]
[iii] Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work. Jan 2024. Royal Institute of British Architecture. https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/inclusive-design-overlay-to-riba-plan-of-work [Accessed October 2024]
[iv] Motionspot. Designing Inclusive Workplaces. White Paper. https://motionspot.co.uk/blogs/inclusive-and-accessible-design/designing-inclusive-workplaces [Accessed October 2024]
[v] UK disability statistics: prevalence and life experienced. House of Commons. October 2024. NO. 09602. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9602/CBP-9602.pdf [Accessed October 2024]
