Jeffery Kahler D.D.S: ADA Design Innovation Award winner

by Stacie Crozier

For nearly 30 years, patients who received their dental care from Jeffery Kahler D.D.S. in Paso Robles, California knew their dentist had a love for African animals and art. So, when Dr. Kahler moved to his newly remodeled office in Templeton, California, in May 2021, it was no surprise that his new office was designed with the touches of an African safari lodge, complete with grass and bamboo ceilings in the hallways that were made in Africa.

“When people walk through the door for the first time, it’s a jaw-dropping experience for them,” Dr. Kahler said. “We wanted the reception room to feel like a comfortable family room. We wanted our patients to feel comfortable from the start, in an environment that is less like a typical dental or medical office.”

The dental office’s new design is both elegant and whimsical, providing patients comfort and cultural immersion and providing the dentists and staff with a streamlined, state-of-the art workplace and three times the space they had before.

Dr. Kahler and his wife, Sheilah, are animal lovers, he said. “We have goats, chickens, cats and many old, blind or ill dogs we have rescued over the years. We have always loved African animals and the safari motif. My office has always had that theme. When Sheilah and I met over 10 years ago, it was a commonality that we discovered in each other — my office was decorated ‘safari’ and her home was decorated ‘safari’. It seemed natural to go big with the idea for the new office. This project would not have been possible without my wife’s full support, constant encouragement and creative talent.”

Until the new office opened, Dr. Kahler spent his entire career in his former office and knew well the pain points he wanted to solve and the updates and upgrades he wanted to make. The last time his lease came up for renewal, he knew he was ready to grow the practice. He found a new multi-use office space that housed two different businesses and signed a long-term lease. He continued to operate his practice at the old location until the new space had been renovated.

“Among the top things we wanted to fix was our existing lack of space, and our aging equipment,” he said. “The new location is three times the size of the old one and has a modern sterilization area and new upgraded operatory chairs and delivery units. One of the top challenges in the remodel was creating the design within the confines of an oddly shaped building. Even with taking down all the internal walls, it was difficult, and we created over 20 variations of floor plans before we settled on one.”

Dr. Kahler’s reception area, affectionately known as “the lounge,” has a cozy living room feel, with comfy furniture, fireplace, a television and statement art pieces showcasing African animals.

Dr. Kahler’s favorite space in the office is a comfy waiting area for parents and caregivers to relax in while their loved one is receiving digital imaging services.

The front desk and business office area offers a sleek workspace and showcases the motif of the entire office.

Grass and bamboo ceilings from Africa add a special touch to the office’s grand hallway.

All seven operatories in Dr. Kahler’s office have their own unique design touches.

Dr. Kahler and his design team located the sterilization area in a central location for easy access from any treatment room.

Even the sleek and relaxing staff lounge in Dr. Kahler’s office reflects the African safari feel of the entire office.

The office design literally allowed him to check off everything on his wish list: expanding the number of treatment rooms from three to seven while leaving room to add two or three more in the future; having a centrally located sterilization area with easy access to all the treatment rooms; installing all new chairs, delivery units and cabinets, computer equipment, phone system and practice software; and adding new technologies including digital scanners and space to add a milling system and cone beam computed tomography imaging in the future.

“The practice flows seamlessly during operation because we had been there in our minds first and worked out potential problems ahead of time on paper with the architect, designer, builder, dentists, staff and friends,” Dr. Kahler said. “My wife and I began collecting art for the project for several years before we even selected the site for the new office. We collected items from antique stores, eBay, garage sales, gifts from patients and her own trip to Africa years ago. ‘Unique’ is what we were striving for, and I think we accomplished that. Although I have only been to Africa in my mind, we are planning on taking a trip there together soon.”

He notes that while the buildout itself took over eight months, the project from concept to completion – including securing the location, the financing, designing and planning and encountering some COVID-related delays – spanned more than three years.

“I could never have imagined doing this when I was fresh out of dental school,” he said. “My years of experience as a dentist affected the design in significant ways. My advice is to take on a project like this after at least five years in practice, and 10 would be better. Also, choose a good architect and builder with experience in dental construction. I also recommend working through a loan broker to save time and money. My broker matched me with the lender that was most likely to do the deal for a reasonable price. Also, do a cash flow study so you have a constant reminder that the project makes good financial sense. It helped me sleep better at night knowing that the project pencils out.”

He said the added space and equipment upgrades have made for more productivity, happier patients and staff “and it just feels a bit dreamy when I arrive at work every morning.”

Although Dr. Kahler loves every space in the new office, his most favorite space is a small waiting area down the grand hallway. “It was a design element that I insisted on,” he said. “In my old office, children, elderly or disabled patients would often be accompanied by a parent or caregiver who would have to stand out in the hall while x-rays were being taken. With this space, not only do they make themselves comfortable, but also gives them a space to relax in while their loved one is receiving care.”