Alleviating the fears of dental patients is job one for every doctor, and any opportunity to offer an atmosphere of comfort in a post-COVID environment is welcome. Alternatives are available to create visual safety in open bays at dental practices, including dividers/partitions and hospital curtains. Below, find a discussion of those options and their unique features.
Dividers and Partitions
1. Acoustical Panels. Those created of plastic can be easily cleaned with a bleach solution to prevent cross contamination. To assemble, the panels can be mounted on the floor, hung from the ceiling, or rolled into place on movable castors.
2. Acrylic (Plexiglas) or resin. An aesthetically-pleasing option, resin panels arrive from the manufacturer with hardware for framing and can be easily bolted to the floor or assembled on rolling castors. A slightly more affordable solution, acrylic panels can be mounted from the ceiling or floor or stabilized on castors. Both alternatives are amenable to EPA-approved cleaning products.
Design Tip: Avoid commercially-upholstered partitions in these spaces, as this sector of the practice needs to be more antimicrobial and sterile than for example, the reception area.
Design Tip: Choose an option with castors for flexibility and effortless assembly. For instance, when a family arrives together and larger treatment space is required, a partition on castors can be easily wheeled out of the way. Also, there is no need to for expert installation or a construction project.
Hospital-Grade Curtains
Previously, in a dental practice, curtains were primarily used in recovery rooms post-surgery to create privacy. Their popularity has increased since the start of this new normal.
1. Mounting. Curtains can be hung on tracks from ceiling or telescoped from the wall, depending on the existing structure. Telescoping from the wall will be less invasive to your design, but for instance, the position of windows might be prohibitive.
2. Materials. Curtains must be 100% vinyl, which is more resistant to wear and color fading from EPA-approved cleaning products. Seams should be heat-welded to prevent the growth of bacteria.
3. Safety. Allow at least one-inch clearance from floor and ceiling to avoid tripping hazards and interference with HVAC distribution and sprinkler codes. This extra space provides the space for easier cleaning.
4. Aesthetics. Create visual interest with a curtain that includes a 2 to 3-inch mesh top or hem.
Design Tip: Always verify that your curtains are health care grade, purchased from a dealer who is well-versed in health care supplies or furnishings.
Though any of these options will offer privacy, they will not create a sealed environment. In that case, creating a wall of some type provides a solution.
For details on how to bring these ideas to life or additional information about Interior Design, email?design@benco.com
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