Central Texas Periodontics: ADA Design Innovation Award Winner

By Kelly Ganski

What comes to mind when you think of Texas?

Barbeque? Cowboy boots? Definitely music.

The design and décor of the previous office of Central Texas Periodontics in Georgetown, Texas, was admittedly generic, according to Jonathan Callia, D.D.S. The growth of the original office, located in another part of town, was the impetus behind the decision to build a new office, but it gave Dr. Callia and his team the opportunity to be creative with the design.

“We wanted a ‘showcase’ office that people would remember,” said Dr. Callia, who graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in 2000 and specialized in periodontics at the Baylor College of Dentistry, graduating in 2023.

Central Texas Periodontics was the winner of the New Build category in the 2023 ADA Design Innovations Awards competition. The annual competition showcases the best dental practices in esthetic appeal, function and design. Judges from the ADA Council on Dental Practice narrowed down entries to the top three in each category. From Oct. 1-31, voting was open to the dental community.

The lobby showcases a tall ceiling with a guitar wall to help make patients feel more comfortable while they wait.

Another view from the lobby shows large windows and a TV where the practice displays artwork.

Central Texas Periodontics also has a back checkout area behind glass doors from the lobby.

The music theme carries over into the operatories.

The practice also boasts a state-of-the-art sterile area.

A closer view of the guitar wall in the lobby, which also features a coffee bar.

Another view of the long hallway, with the operatories on the left and the additional checkout on the right.

The showstopper: a guitar wall in the waiting area. As they wait for their appointment, patients can study the 10 different colorful guitars that grace the wall.

The practice is located in a suburb of Austin, Texas, known for its South by Southwest music festival and live music. Dr. Callia leaned into that vibe and littered the office with musical photography celebrating Austin’s music scene.

“We wanted to do something unique that represented myself and the city of Austin,” Dr. Callia wrote in his application.

Dr. Callia used a design firm through Benco Dental, who flew the team to Los Angeles to visit their show room to gather ideas. It took about a year from start to finish but the results were worth the wait.

“The new office gives us more room for everything: two additional operatories, a much bigger reception area and more space altogether. We have increased production due to the extra operatories, and I do think it has helped with patient retention. We now have a huge parking lot with plenty of parking, and the larger waiting room. These are things we did not have previously,” Dr. Callia said. “We have had the greatest response from our patients as well as the doctors that refer to us and have come to our open house or stopped by. Everyone loves the office.”

The 2024 Design Innovation Awards are sponsored by ADA Member Advantage and Panacea Financial. The call for entries for the 2024 competition will open in June. Do you have a winning practice? Stay tuned for updates.