Feng Shui and innovation combine

Feng Shui principles are incorporated in the design of one of the more patient friendly clinics on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, where children are made to feel at home and actually look forward to their treatments.

Walking into Ocean Orthodontics (formerly Hannan Orthodontic) at Warana, patients are welcomed by a spectacular saltwater aquarium filled with tropical fish, a play area complete with toys and computer games and a comfortable lounge and plasma screen for parents and adult patients.

As they enter reception, patients can touch on their photographs on an LCD screen to confirm their arrival and initiate the retrieval of their patient records by staff.

According to practice owner, Dr Pat Hannan, the aim is to eventually achieve a paperless office with all patient records and X-rays stored on computer and available throughout the surgery.

Dr Hannan is well known in ortho-dontic circles as both a practitioner and occasional guest speaker on a variety of orthodontic procedures (including the 20th Australian Orthodontic Congress in Melbourne on April 8).

But far from being just a showpiece of style and design, Ocean Orthodontics is a truly state-of-the art clinic incorporating A-dec's innovative 12 o'clock Preference® cabinetry and rear delivery instrumentation and A-dec assistant's work surface in place of conventional chair mounted systems.

Although not yet common in Australian treatment rooms, Dr Hannan says he finds the rear delivery system ideal for his type of practice, especially for fitting and adjusting bands which are routinely required for his mostly younger patients.

The clinic is equally well suited for both Dr Hannan and his team - comprising a dental hygienist and a number of skilled assistants - to perform many of the more routine orthodontic procedures.

The clinic layout features three chairs in a semi-private open plan space, taking advantage of the large first floor windows and adjacent canal views.

The dentist can view the other chairs from his/her working position while patients are screened from one another by dividing partitions featuring lounges for parents to sit almost alongside their children during treatment if desired.

Each chair, chosen largely for its patient comfort and ease of access, has its own ceiling mounted television and cordless headphones to relax and entertain patients during treatments. There is also a completely separate private surgery used for initial consultations, more involved procedures and adult patients.

As the only orthodontist at the clinic, Dr Hannan and his team of assistants and the hygienist are kept extremely busy on a daily basis. A periodontist also works out of the private surgery, providing a complete range of specialist dental care for patients of referring dentists.

The 12 o'clock A-dec cabinetry and integrated rear delivery instrumentation and assistant's work surface is ideal for orthodontic work where appointments tend to be far shorter, meaning the clinic is a high traffic area.

Dr Hannan explained that most patients came in for a quick checkup or to have their bands adjusted. Fitting the braces normally takes place in the private surgery which is also used for the first consultation for added privacy.

"Having instruments positioned over the patient (in chair mounted systems) is cumbersome and slow which I felt would be unworkable in this situation.

"I had also worked with 12 o'clock position A-dec equipment in Melbourne and I was well aware of the access and ergonomic advantages of having the instruments mounted chair-side with the assistant for 'four-handed' dentistry."

With this arrangement, the assistant is at 90 degrees to the patient and doesn't have to move from their position to pass instruments to the dentist or access the patient.

"Working this way you don't have to twist which is much more comfortable for clinical staff in a busy work environment.

"Also with this setup, patient turnover is much easier and it is also less intimidating for the patient to be seated in a chair without suction and instruments draped over them."

Key equipment includes four A-dec dental chairs, A-dec 5580 Preference cabinetry, A-dec Duo 12 O'clock Delivery Systems supplied by A-dec Australia through Independent Dental Supplies.

The dental equipment was installed by Suntech Dental and the internal fit-out of the building performed by the Reid Group.

Ocean Orthodontics will be officially launched on April 3, 2006.