by Stacie Crozier

The main objective of Kenneth Kim, D.M.D. and Sojin Kim, D.M.D., at Aesthetic Smiles Dentistry in Shenandoah, Texas, was to create a dental office that was not only beautiful and efficient, but to create a welcoming environment for patients.

Their entry in the Large New Buildout category netted a finalist award in the 2021 ADA Design Innovation Awards competition.

“We strived to go beyond a typical dental clinic that feels, looks and smells like a dental office,” said Dr. Kenneth Kim. “We carefully chose our color scheme to reflect timeless, modern appeal.”

The Kims’ new office features a simple black and white color scheme, accented with warm wood-tone floors and blue and gold accent colors to prevent the minimalist design from looking too clinical or too cold. Patients enter the office greeted by relaxing aromatherapy scents and an open, welcoming reception area. The waiting area’s wood-framed bench seating and natural light offer café-like coziness. The waiting area television can be used to showcase images of museum-quality artwork or function as a TV.

The comfort in design also extends to the treatment rooms, where loupe lights are used instead of overhead lighting. Sleek cabinetry contains personal protective equipment, and each room is equipped with comfort amenities including headphones, neck pillows, TVs, weighted blankets, essential oil diffusers and other patient-pampering features. Treatment rooms are separated with frosted glass walls that can function as whiteboards, allowing the doctors to use drawings to enhance patient communication.

“This office feels like a luxurious hotel, and yet no space is wasted, and functionality and efficiency are not compromised,” Dr. Kim said. “This contemporary office is packed with the latest dental technology, including cone beam computed tomography, an intraoral scanner and a 3-D printer.”

The Kims say they chose their design features to ensure that the office will be timeless and not become outdated and the overall design and vibe they set out to create helps patients understand that they are in a practice that uses the latest technologies, materials and amenities to provide high-quality care.

Their advice to other dentists considering a new build project is simple: “The dental office design should reflect the office’s overall goal and target population,” they said. “Be clear on the objective, and it will be easier to see how to achieve it through your design. Balancing esthetics, function and workflow should be considered and choose finishes that will withstand the test of time and won’t go out of style.”