7 Tips for Designing the Ultimate Dental Office Playground

I’m sure that over the years, many bosses have found ample reason to shout, “This is a business, not a playground!!!”

But in the world of pediatric dentistry, turning your business into a dental playground is precisely what your customers are demanding!

It not only creates a unique and memorable experience that can set your practice apart from your competitors. Creating a fun, playful pre-appointment environment can go a long way to reducing a child’s fear of visiting the dentist.

Reduce anxiety to help fill pediatric dental chairs

A recent research paper (How Can We Reduce Dental Fear in Children? The Importance of the First Dental Visit.) cited that 9% of children and adolescents in Canada, the US, and Europe suffer from dental anxiety

The researchers found that early exposure to the dentist (before age two when the first tooth erupts) and frequent visits after that are shown to reduce dental fear.

Our results reveal that the age at which children first go to the dentist and the frequency of visits are key factors in preventing dental fear because they predict 44.4% of dental fear.” 

The researchers identified three important consequences of dental anxiety in children that impact both your patient and your practice:

  1. Pediatric patients will go to the dentist less often than necessary.
  2. They may not be able to receive the necessary treatments due to fear.
  3. They may be uncooperative with dental treatment staff.

Investing in a dental playground in your lobby can go a long way to alleviating anxiety in young children. By making a trip to the dentist something a child looks forward to, you will encourage more frequent visits and a higher quality of care.

So, what do you need to consider when building a play area in your lobby?

Tip 1: Create elements for active play in your dental practice.

Just like a traditional playground, your dental practice playspace should encourage kids to be active so that they can burn off energy and anxiety. This helps the worry disappear.

When we talk about active play, we’re describing lobby features like small slides, forts, climbing & balance structures… even places to jump and dance. Like a park playground, but at a much smaller scale.

Child-sized forts are a place where imagination can take control.

Yellow and grey camper themed kids play house.

Slides will have kids up and down and burning off energy. A slide can be a part of a bigger activity fort as well, with video games and play panels.

Pirate ship themed play slide.

Or they can be small stand-alone structures.

Yellow slide on a pirate ship themed play structure

Active play can help children release energy and reduce stress which is good for priming children for their appointments, but it can improve their overall well-being as well. You’re in the business of kids’ wellness, so helping kids benefit from visiting your office in numerous ways is just good practice.

Tip 2: Cater your dental play area to different ages.

Your practice caters to children of different ages. Your play area should too. One recommendation is to have a separate play area for toddlers, where the bigger kids won’t bump into them. It may simply be a padded play area with a smaller slide, safe soft foam play structures, and easy hands-on games.

Soft play foam sculpture slide with a goat sitting on a mountain side.
Soft play foam sculpture slide with a goat sitting on a mountainside.
Woodland rock game wall with Keebee play boards and video games.
Woodland rock game wall with Keebee play boards and video games.

Structures should be a little more advanced for children aged 5-10. For older kids, video games and electronic devices are more age-appropriate. You may want to section off your game area so pre-teen patients have some privacy.

Kids playing on wall mounted gaming tablets.

Tip 3: Think safety when building your dental playground.

Just like kids have dental anxiety, parents have safety worries!

It’s always a smart idea to install a cushioned floor if you want to go the extra mile to avoid a child flopping on the floor too hard. There are a variety of options from mall play area grade flooring…

to the snap-together flooring that you have probably seen parents can add to their at-home playrooms.

But don’t worry too much when it comes to professionally made play options for kids. Most manufacturers put incredible thought and care into the design of their play elements – avoiding sharp corners and tripping hazards. Many structures and climbable components are built with highly durable materials to keep up with active kids.

Tip 4: Pick a theme that carries through your office environment.

Coming up with a great theme for your dental playground makes it more memorable and provides a creative thread to tie everything together. Jungle theme. Dinosaur theme. Underwater theme. The sky’s the limit. (Yes, flying themes are a thing too).

By extending your theme from the front lobby to the clinical area and treatment rooms, you maintain the magic from one space to the next. This helps put young minds at ease throughout their visit.

A sunk ship play fort is a great distraction in the reception area.
Contemporary silhouette underwater themed wall mural in a dental treatment bay.
Murals in the open bay treatment area tie it together with the play area.

Just about any space in your office can be tailored to your theme – the front desk, front door, walls, ceilings, and floors. Durable 3D characters are not only decorative; they can be used as a fun way to provide task-oriented signage. Plus, they make for a good photo opportunity (which increases your chances of getting shared on social media for free advertising).

Tip 5: Consider opportunities for quiet play elements.

We talked about active play earlier. Well, every playground needs a quiet area too. It’s a good idea to designate space for patients who would rather sit with a book or play quietly.

Interactive play elements provide a chance for kids to use their growing minds. Examples of interactive play elements include an activity wall designed to test budding motor skills, foam building blocks, legos… the list goes on.

Tip 6: Keep it bright, colorful, and inviting!

Enough said! Let kids know an area is for them with bright primary colors to liven your children’s play area.

Candyland themed kid's play area with colorful wall murals and sculpted gingerbread house play structure with slide.
Candyland themed kid’s play area with colorful wall murals and sculpted gingerbread house play structure with slide.

Tip 7: Make it comfortable for parents.

Like any lobby, seating should be comfy for parents and guardians. It should also be situated so that it’s easy for them to keep an eye on their littles.

Speaking of comfort, indoor dental playgrounds can get noisy with squeals of joy. Investing in sound baffling solutions can reduce the decibel levels for parents and staff alike to provide a more enjoyable experience. A private room with walls, acoustic felt wall panels, plush beanbag chairs, or carpeted floors can all help absorb sound.

And one final tip… have fun designing your playground!

Working with an established creative design and fabrication partner that really loves what they do will make your renovation process a treat every step of the way!

Don’t know where to start with creating your dental playground? One of our Creative Consultants would love to help. Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to a magical patient experience.

Check out these related resources for making your waiting room a fun place to spend some time:

Top 7 Interactive Waiting Room Ideas

Tips to Make Your Dental Practice More Inviting for Pediatric Patients

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

Tips for Adding Themed Decor to Your Church

Top 7 Interactive Waiting Room Ideas

We have seen a shift in how people place value on a service – where once people were only concerned with how effective their treatment was, now they are concerned with how fun or enjoyable their experience in your care was as well.

As a business owner, you see the value in the services you offer because you are delivering a product or service you are both skilled at and passionate about. Patients and their families will appreciate your skill once in your exam room, but what about the time they spend in your waiting room?

By providing the visitors to your office an engaging atmosphere, you can get a jump start on establishing positive relationships with patients the second they walk through your door.

Create a Positive Patient Experience with these 7 Interactive Waiting Room Ideas

1. Interact with People – Welcome Your Patients to the Office with a Smile

In our technological age, we understand how tempting it is to bring digitization into your business, especially when you have already worked hard to provide external digital affordances like an informative website, online booking calendars, chatboxes, or even mobile diagnostic apps. As a result, mobile check-in services and electronic kiosks are enticing to implement to save on resources… but where’s the interaction?

There is an unmatched value in staffing your waiting area with a wonderful individual or team to greet your visitors who want to have some human interaction, rather than relying on a virtual receptionist.

These individuals are the first people your clients have interaction with inside your business and as such, should be thought of as the face of your company. They can brighten your visitor’s first moments in your space with a positive and cheerful interaction. It is this interaction that can impact their frame of mind heading into their appointment.

Face-to-face interaction extends the convenience of connectivity and this is essential to building genuine trust and loyalty that your clients will have with your business.

2. Interact with Entertainment – Add Digital Entertainment to Your Waiting Room

However, after saying digital greetings are impersonal, we must assure you that digital conveniences aren’t all bad.

People are eager to have an exciting outlet to take their mind off waiting, which is typically a mundane experience. Whether it’s a theater experience, video game tablets, or something more special like an interactive floor projection game, digital entertainment is a way for guests to disconnect from the mundane waiting process and connect with the fun vibe of your office experience.

Cozy theater space for your waiting room.
Fun theater area for the whole family.
Video game station for children and teens.
Floor projection game for kids.

Visits to medical environments can often be anxiety-inducing. Offering a moment of relief through a funny movie, thrilling video game, or interactive simulation can make waiting feel like an opportunity to relax and feel secure in the space they are in. Additions like these have been uniquely constructed in office spaces for both children and parents to engage with and feel welcome by making them feel like they are a part of the space.

3. Interact with Play – Active Waiting Room Play Areas for Kids and Tots

Like the theater and gaming areas discussed above, another interactive convenience you can add if you have a child-friendly business is a play area with active entertainment like slides, KeeBee playboards, an I Spy wall mural, or even a giant Litezilla light board.

Slides to help burn off energy.
Playboards for younger kids.
An I Spy wall mural with hidden pictures.
Litezilla giant lite brite.

If you cater to both kids and adults, you can create a special kids area or playroom just for them. IDS designers are experts at helping offices create a memorable space that is equal parts fun and functional.

A designated room for kids with a themed entrance.
A play structure for kids to play inside.
A divider wall in a large room creates a play area for kids.

Telling a child to sit still and wait is a taxing job. Parents will be appreciative of a space for their children to escape and play while they can relax knowing their kids are in a safe and fun environment.

4. Interact with Learning – Entertaining Education for Kids

While keeping kids occupied with different activities, why not add some education into the mix? Any dental office can benefit from a tooth brushing station where kids can practice brushing and flossing. A tooth model with some icky cavities shows kids why brushing is so important.

Interactive brushing model for kids.
Interactive tooth models showing healthy teeth, cavities, and roots.

Kids can play and learn at the same time, helping them remember the lessons of the day when they get home to brush their own teeth.

5. Interact with Amenities – Charging Station and Free Wifi

When children are distracted by your engaging entertainment, parents have a moment to themselves and will turn to their own entertainment – their phones. Supplying your waiting room with a charging station and a free wifi hub is a thoughtful way to offer additional convenience to your visitors while they wait.

Wireless charging has improved by leaps and bounds, so don’t think of a charging station with a mess of wires. You can even add a charging table with hidden wireless charging spots to your waiting room.

Wireless charging is easier than ever.

Providing your guests with a hotspot is an enticing opportunity for your guests to share their whereabouts which will extend the name of your office out into the community. Maybe they will share a picture of their little one having a blast playing on the slide or a video of them making an artistic design on the LiteZilla lite brite.

6. Interact with Memories – Photo Ops for Your Guests

Create a social media moment and give your clients something to pose with while they wait. Photo ops are a great interactive form of entertainment that doubles as a marketing tool for your office. Parents will share photos of the fun time they and their kids had at your office with their friends and family.

7. Interact with Tastebuds – Refreshments and Snack Stations

For an extra indulgent treat, supplying your waiting room with a snack hub can make or break a patient’s patience.

We have made a few tasty stations over the years. A few of our clients even have ice cream machines!

A few tips:

  1. Make sure there is a variety – ensure you have healthy options, allergy considerate, tea & coffee, sweet & salty. Your guests will be wowed and appreciate the thought behind the options.
  2. Have a suggestion box – pique their interest and have them looking forward to their favorite tasty treat when they return next.
  3. Brand your items – create custom stickers for your water bottles or tag your snacks with a thank you note. This additional step will leave guests feeling valued and aware of the extra mile you go for them and their comfort. 

At the end of the day, just show your clients who you are – the most caring provider in your community! Take these tips and modify them to suit you best and your clients will have no trouble recognizing the effort you put into your practice and space to make them feel involved and appreciated.

Including them through interaction with your space is an open invitation for them to return.

Check out these related resources for making your waiting room a fun place to spend some time:

Tips to Make Your Dental Practice More Inviting for Pediatric Patients

Top-Shelf Anxiety Books for Kids to Add to Your Clinic Waiting Area

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office into an anxiety-free dental experience for kids.

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

How to Use Technology to Help Your Dental Practice in 2024

Top-Shelf Books for Kids to Add to Your Clinic Waiting Area

Distraction is a go-to tool in a parent’s utility belt. A favorite snack or a well-timed “wow, look at that!” can quickly take a kid’s mind off of whatever is causing their fear, panic, or anxiety.

Books can work wonders for reducing kids’ anxiety as well, which is why it’s a good idea to have some in your clinic waiting room.

LIKE PULLING A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT

Books are like that standard magician’s trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. They’re a common object kids can relate to – you reach into the pages and voila!, there’s a story that can help them cope in the moment.

A dental visit requires varying levels of coping skills for a child and their parent(s). Dental anxiety is common, and the more you can do to help create positive associations with dentistry the more likely they are to overcome it.


GO-TO BOOKS FOR KIDS THAT CAN SEND A POSITIVE MESSAGE

Must-reads for Dental Practices for Ages 2 – 8

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss

Hey, he’s a “Dr.,” right? Well, not exactly, but most kids (and parents) are familiar with Dr. Seuss’s rhyming perspective on life.

An unsure child can relate to this introductory look at dental care. Kids will begin to relax as Dr. Seuss talks about teeth, dentistry, and visiting the dentist.



Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer

Kids are probably familiar with the Little Critters book series. This lighthearted classic follows the main character, Little Critter’s, experience in the dentist’s chair.

This book’s message helps kids feel at ease with the uncertainty of a dental appointment. It’s recommended for a child’s first visit to the dentist.


Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey

Who doesn’t love Curious George? He’s always up to something and this time it’s a trip to the dentist.

The man with yellow hat wants George’s teeth to be healthy (like all parents). After a bite into an apple, Curious George’s experience teaches kids about dental hygiene, visiting the dentist, and having courage.

Dentist Trip by Scholastic

Fans of Peppa Pig will get into this story. Peppa discovers that the dentist’s office is a colorful, fun-loving place when she tags along with George on his first dental visit.

Open Wide: Tooth School Inside by Laurie Keller

Who said facts about teeth and dentistry had to be boring? This book is perfect for kids who are having their first appointment.

Throughout the book, teeth and dental care are given a positive vibe through engaging graphics and illustrations. Kids who have been to the dentist before but are now anxious about cleanings or treatments will be helped by this resource.



Add These Titles to Your Clinic Shelves Too


My Dentist, My Friend by P.K. Halliman

A step-by-step rhyming guide that delivers assurance that a dental visit is nothing to worry about.


How Many Teeth? by Paul Showers

This classic children’s book is about a journey through tooth development. It shows how losing baby teeth is a positive experience to make room for adult teeth.


The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums by Edward Miller

A fun look at dental hygiene with kid-friendly illustrations to help walk kids through the importance of tooth care. It’s especially useful for helping older kids develop some dental independence.


Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw

Elmo takes the “big bad wolf” to a dental appointment. He sits with him while the dental assistant explains what happens at a dental visit. A good read for kids who are anxious about their first dental experience.


MAKE BOOKS PART OF YOUR CLINIC ENVIRONMENT TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN KIDS

An outstanding patient experience for kids and families begins with a kid-centric mindset and the environment that supports it – books included!

Check out these related resources for upgrading, renewing, and providing anxiety-free dental visits:

6 Calming Strategies for Kids Nervous About Healthcare Appointments

Reduce Dental Anxiety with “The Kids’ Guide to the Dentist” by IDS

Set kids and their parents up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. Create an environment that:

  • Reduces patient anxiety and enhances their relaxation
  • Primes kids and families for their appointments
  • Promotes positive dental care experiences

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office into an anxiety-free dental experience for kids.

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

How to Use Technology to Help Your Dental Practice in 2024

Reduce Dental Anxiety with “The Kids’ Guide to the Dentist”

Going to the dentist can be scary for children, so it’s important to address their dental anxiety in a way that’s both kind and encouraging. Helping a child face their fears of the dentist will help set them up for a positive interaction and a stronger lifetime relationship with dentistry. 

Common Causes of Dental Anxiety

Think about some of the reasons why your anxiety flares up as an adult. The fear of the unknown or remembering uncomfortable experiences are probably pretty big contributors, right? Kids have similar feelings, but coupled with big imaginations that can lead them to picture scenarios that create further fear and anxiety. An anxious child will also focus on previous stressful dental experiences, causing even more anxiety.

Infographic showing common dental anxiety triggers.


ONE WAY TO HELP PEDIATRIC ANXIETY? THE KIDS’ GUIDE TO THE DENTIST ACTIVITY BOOK

Put Young Patients at Ease by Preparing Them for Their Visit

To help put your young patients at ease, we created The Kids’ Guide to the Dentist as a free resource for your office! Follow along as a little lion cub has their first visit to the dentist and meets Dr. Bear! This educational coloring book will show kids what to expect during their appointments and take some of the anxiety out of a dental visit. The book is filled with activities like coloring pages, mazes, and connect-the-dots to keep kids engaged and entertained throughout the story. It’s written with kids language in mind and is perfect for preschool reading levels and beyond.

This guide can be easily printed off from your office printer as a waiting room activity. Or you can send it out to parents as a PDF to share with their kids before their dental appointments.

You can even request a custom version with your name as the dentist in the story, free of charge. Anywhere “Dr. Bear” appears will be replaced with your name instead. You can download the generic Dr. Bear version as well if you don’t want it customized.



Request your copy of the guide from the form below:

You can’t control the past experiences of your young dental patients, but you can control the current and future ones. Understanding what could have contributed to their dental anxiety and your willingness to help them overcome it will truly make a difference in their attitude and appointment success. 


Interested in other helpful, free resources for your young patients? Check out these related resources:

IDS Kids Club – Kids can learn to draw with a series of videos and activity sheets!

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Unlocking Success: Tips and Tricks for Applying for Grants

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

5 Goals for Improving Patient Experience in Your Pediatric Dental Practice

Like adults, children seek comfort and security in most situations. Dental care is no exception. That sets the bar high for improving patient experience in your pediatric practice.

An intentionally designed environment can help calm any fear, anxiety, or distrust of dentistry a difficult to treat child may bring to an appointment.

According to Jason Goodchild, DMD,

”When kids are relaxed and compliant, dentistry can be simple and fast. When they are not, that becomes a very different type of challenge,..”


The Most Common Barriers Against Improving Patient Experience

The two challenges your patient experience must confront:

  • Behavior
  • Fear

Patient behavior can range from being uncooperative in the moment to general lifestyle issues that require consistent attention, or a previous bad experience to just a bad day.

Fear and anxiety also accompany many patients to dental appointments. These things are not always so much about dentistry as the overall anticipated experience and environmental perception.

Each time you meet these challenges with an increased sensitivity combined with a patient/kid-centric environment your practice grows and becomes placed in a top tier of providers. But how do you get there?

FIVE GOALS FOR IMPROVING PATIENT EXPERIENCE IN YOUR PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE




1. Make it Personal

Young patients arrive thinking it’s all about their mouth, teeth, and gums. While that’s their personal expectation, there’s more to it than their oral health.

You can put them at ease by directing their attention away from their reason for being there during the first minutes of their chair-time.

  • Notice something about them and start your conversation/relationship there (e.g. shoes, color or type of clothing, etc).
  • Make the child comfortable by engaging with their parent or whoever accompanied them to the appointment.

Basically, shift the focus to them first. What will follow is likely to be a more comfortable…and compliant young patient.


2. Help Them Get Acquainted with Your Tools and Technology

Imagine what a dental chair and all your equipment looks like to a child. It’s often “scary” for an adult…so it’s no surprise that a child would have some hesitancy too.

Take the time to introduce them to the specific tools and technology you’ll be using for their appointment. Eliminating the unknown will help them relax and normalize the process.

  • Give your equipment “fun” names that helps lighten the mood prior to usage.
  • Allow your patients to ask questions about a particular tool or technology.



3. Establish Trust Through Step-By-Step Communication

Clear communication (without surprises) can help earn trust from your young patients. Think of it like a “show-and-tell” session at school.

  • “Show” them (within reason) what you’re going to do. Let them see the hand-piece, suction device, etc.
  • “Tell” them what’s about to happen next using non-threatening or non-aversive language.


4. Use Kid-friendly Themes and “Distractions”

A kid-centric environment sets the tone from the moment a family arrives, parks, and walks in your door. Attention to details from theming to hands-on amenities will help them relax ahead of and during their appointments.

  • Theme your office with non-threatening, light-hearted, kid-themed decor.
  • Create an environment from curb to chair that provides kids and families a memorable and comfortable experience at each appointment.
  • Provide access to kid-friendly programming in your reception area and your treatment rooms.
  • Use technology kids are accustomed to. Games, images, streaming video, etc help them relax and feel at-home in your dental office.

Use low-tech options such as take-home coloring sheets, books, and kid-centric publications.



5. Think like a “Therapist”

Certainly, your skill set is dentistry. But adding some behavior-management skills can help you help boost your authority and handle those challenging moments.

Patience, good communication skills, and an objective amount of good old-fashioned parental presence can improve patient experience.

  • Talk eye-to-eye with your pediatric patients. Get on their level and speak their language.
  • Liven up your conversations with stories, a light-hearted tone, and anything that helps your patients feel comfortable and at-ease.
  • Ask about their life, their interests, sports, school, etc.


PRIORITIZE YOUR PEDIATRIC PATIENT EXPERIENCE BY SETTING YOUR ENVIRONMENT UP FOR SUCCESS

Outstanding patient experience for children and families begins with a kid-centric mindset and environment. In essence, it’s an investment decision.

Invest in Your Patients

Valuing your patients and their families sets them up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. And the environment you create can help you achieve a better patient experience.

  • Reduce patient anxiety and enhance their relaxation
  • Prime patients and families for their appointments
  • Create positive dental care experiences

Invest in Your Business

Maintain your edge in the crowded dental service space. Attention to details in your space can transform your environment and the overall patient experience…especially in a pediatric practice.

  • Create “buzz” in the community you serve
  • Accelerate patient referrals
  • Generate positive online reviews


Check out these related resources for upgrading, renewing, and improving patient experience:

What is Patient Experience and Why Does It Matter?

How Theming Creates the Ultimate Brand for Your Business

A Practical Guide to Creating an Exceptional Patient Experience

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

How to Use Technology to Help Your Dental Practice in 2024

Engage, Entertain, and Educate Children with Themed Decor

IDS has gained notoriety as being the go-to company for creating office spaces designed with children in mind. When we design for kids we of course engineer the toughest product available, but we also look at the psychological side of how our creations will help children prepare for an appointment.

For this, we follow the Three E’s: Engage, Entertain, and Educate!

How to Create an Engaging, Entertaining, and Educational Experience for Children Visiting Your Office

Engage Children

Passively sitting and waiting for an appointment allows children’s anxiety to grow and fester. IDS wants to engage kids’ minds and bodies in activities in order to distract and calm them, creating good memories associated with their visit to the dentist. You won’t see faces like this at an IDS themed office:

Young patients aren’t just at an office for treatment; they are there to learn. Proving children an opportunity to engage in their education encourages a deeper understanding of their oral health, setting them up for a future of healthy teeth!

The end goal we hope to achieve by transforming an office is to promote a better appointment to allow for smoother, faster treatments and to encourage care to be continued at home.

Entertain Children

Time flies when you’re having fun! This phrase exists for a reason. The busier someone is during a time interval, the faster that time interval will feel like it has passed. There is a lot less time for a child to get anxious, bored, or build up tension about an upcoming procedure if they are lost in play.

From the study Influence of Positive Distractions on Children in Two Clinic Waiting Areas:

“Data analysis shows that the introduction of distraction conditions was associated with more calm behavior and less fine and gross movement, suggesting significant calming effects associated with the distraction conditions. Data also suggest that positive distraction conditions are significant attention grabbers and could be an important contributor to improving the waiting experience for children in hospitals by improving environmental attractiveness.”

IDS gaming tablets, slides, theaters, and play forts provide a number of outlets for kids to burn energy and reduce stress. Whether they are crawling around a play arealaughing at a funny kids movie playing in the theater, or using their mind to solve puzzles on an iPad, kids are having fun!

The proof is in the reviews from parents. Taken from actual online reviews of our clients:

“Makes coming to the dentist fun and something to look forward to!”

“My son left the dentist with a huge smile, asking to come back again!!”

“If you’re a kid and you need to go to the dentist, this is the place to go! The atmosphere is fun, friendly, and eases the anxiety of seeing a dentist!”

If our theming isn’t fun for kids, then we’re not doing our jobs!

Educate Children

Last, but not least, we want to encourage the education of your patients when they visit your office. While making sure kids are having fun is our main goal, we want to ensure that we have an impact on the health of children as well.

Chair-side education is the current model for delivering information to patients. But is this the best way for them to absorb information? Studies show that using passive learning vs active learning creates a stark contrast in the retention of a lesson.

Many studies have found that, while individuals have various learning styles, on average people remember 90% of what they do compared to 20% of what they hear. When you were a student, did you learn more in a lecture hall or when you were actively working on a patient’s mouth? Kids are the same. Passive learning disempowers the student and takes the fun out of learning.

It is important that education is fun at a young age. Research has shown that if students do not consider a learning activity worthy of their time and effort, they might not engage or may even disengage all together in response (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004).

Waiting rooms are a place where children can experience hands-on learning through dental education kiosks and experiment with large replica teeth and other educational installations while still feeling as if they are just playing. IDS has lots of dental education ideas to share with you.

A large tooth with a cavity that emits a foul stink when you press a button gives a vivid demonstration of what actually happens to a rotten mouth. That’s a memorable way to teach good dental habits!

IDS is dedicated to helping your patients have the best possible experience when they visit your office. Create a memorable patient experience through dental office interior design and decor. Every office we create is ready to Engage, Entertain, and Educate!


IDS theming is not an expense; it is an investment in your business.

Invest in Your Patients

Valuing your patients and their families sets them up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. And the environment you create can help you achieve a better patient experience.

  • Reduce patient anxiety and enhance their relaxation
  • Prime patients and families for their appointments
  • Create positive dental care experiences

Invest in Your Business

Maintain your edge in the crowded dental service space. Attention to details in your niche can transform your environment and overall patient satisfaction…whatever your dental niche.

  • Create “buzz” in the community you serve
  • Accelerate patient referrals
  • Generate positive online reviews

Learn how you can help improve your patient experience with: A Practical Guide to Creating an Exceptional Patient Experience

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

Tips for Adding Themed Decor to Your Church

Use Dental Education Stations to Engage Patients While They Wait

As an expert at designing displays for museums and engaging children in educational activities, production manager April knows how to attract people to focal points, create a safe and interactive environment, and make education a fun activity.


Educating the public is a skill. Whether it’s for museum visitors or dental and medical patients, the same rules apply.

Here Are the Questions I Ask Myself During Every Project We Create Here at IDS:

  • Will the target audience be engaged and find it appealing?
  • Is the content clear and are the learning outcomes relevant to what you want to express?
  • Is it durable, safe, and robust enough to handle children?
  • If there are moving parts or any electronics, is there a plan for ongoing maintenance?

Part of the education we provide is through interactive displays and education stations. These are a great way to engage both children and adults and can be a fun way to draw people in for a more appealing and memorable dental experience.

Our latest tool for helping dentists educate patients is the Education Station. Whether it’s a feature in your waiting room, or a dedicated educational room filled with different stations that teach various aspects of dental care, there is a lot we can teach young patients about their teeth.

These education stations include great educational tools like:

  • A giant model of a mouth so children can learn how to brush and floss their teeth.
  • An interactive station lets them touch and smell giant teeth with stinky cavities.
  • Microscopes that reveal real plaque up close while an illustrated graphic explains why plaque is bad.
  • A custom quiz app tests their dental knowledge.

Using touch, smell, informative visuals, hands-on tutorials, and electronic games, Education Stations are engaging for different ages and will be appealing to different learning styles. Patients are given a new level of education that they might not receive at home.
 

Designing Interactives That Are Strong Enough for Kids

I often need to ask questions such as “what is the best case to protect this tablet’s screen from damage?” and “what size of screws are needed to keep this item secure?”. I ensure that the interactives we add to office environments are durable enough for everyday wear and tear from children while still delivering the fun or educational message you want to convey.

As a company, we focus on details that may seem insignificant to some, but to us, they are extremely important and can transform an office from typical to extraordinary.

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.


From our artists to our engineers, we pride ourselves on the level of expertise each team member brings to the projects we create. Our experts want to offer some insight into their work and offer professional advice to help your dental office reach its full potential.

April
Pre-Production Manager
Exhibit Design Diploma
Joined IDS in 2011

FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SHARE THE LOVE!

  • envelope

RELATED POSTS

Create the Perfect About Page on Your Dental Website

Enhancing ABA Therapy Centers with Themed Decor

Tips for Adding Themed Decor to Your Church

CONNECT WITH A CREATIVE CONSULTANT

GET STARTED TODAY

blue-heart

Add a note to this photo: