Redoing an Office

Amy Beth Dukoff, D.M.D.
Redoing an Office

Amy Dukoff	HE DECISION to redo, renovate, redecorate, and update an office is usually a huge one. It is not just the financial commitment that makes the decision momentous, but also the amount of time and effort that is required to compete the task. Furthermore, the inconvenience to the doctor is enormous. However, to the patient, the changes are usually welcome. Patients are usually glad to see that their doctor takes pride in his or her work, profession, and surroundings. Many patients judge the doctor by the appearance of the office. An office that makes a good impression is extremely important for the first-time patient. In a specialty practice, such as ours, many of the patients are first-time patients, so the appearance of our office is especially important to them. We want them to be comfortable with the surroundings. Most patients are happy to see their doctor upgrading and recognize that the doctor cares about their feelings and the way that they perceive the office. Since technology is always changing, it is good for the patients to know that their doctor is staying in the forefront and keeping pace with what is new. Patients will tend to be forgiving during the transition phase. Timing is important. It is often good to decide to redo an office at the beginning of a new lease, as we did. The hardest part of the process is making decisions that everyone in the office likes. One must always remember that the “big picture” of completing a project is more important than the temporary inconvenience during the construction. With careful planning, the results will be worth the inconvenience. January-March 2005
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