Expedition Pediatric Dentistry: ADA Design Innovation Award finalist

By Mary Beth Versaci

For Megan Miller, D.D.S., the design of her pediatric dental practice all started with a name.

Drawn to an adventure theme for the practice, Dr. Miller wanted to pick a name associated with excursions, finally deciding to center it on the word “expedition.” Thus, Expedition Pediatric Dentistry was born.

“When I got to ‘expedition’ — a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose — my search was over,” she said. “It fits the practice mission so well. I see us as guides, for both parents and children, as they navigate various oral health developmental stages, which is exactly what you need for an expedition. Expeditions require planning, training, practice and ideally a guide who has traveled the route before. We are prepared to support and assist our patient families with all the challenges they may encounter on their oral health journey.”

With her practice’s name and mission sorted, Dr. Miller moved on to design.

“The name and goal of the practice influenced every decision in our design process,” she said.

That process led Dr. Miller and Expedition Pediatric Dentistry to be named a runner-up in the 2023 ADA Design Innovation Awards in the new build category. She opened the 1,915-square-foot space in August 2022.

The annual competition showcases the best dental practices in esthetic appeal, function and design. Judges from the ADA Council on Dental Practice narrowed entries down to the top three in each category. From Oct. 1-31, voting was open to the dental community.

Walls of second-floor windows open to tall trees surrounding Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, giving it the illusion of being high among the trees in a remote location.

The Base Camp waiting room features nature-themed books and toys encouraging open-ended play. A child-sized door welcomes patients back to the exam and procedure rooms.

At the Ranger Station check-in desk, a purposely low counter allows the dental team to greet children at their own level as they enter the practice.

Each exam room features a diorama illustrating its namesake national park.

The chairs in the exam rooms are stationary dental benches, which Dr. Miller says are more comfortable for her young patients.

The sterilization area includes separated sections for used and sterilized tools, custom-designed cabinetry and tip-out bins for efficient restocking.

Expedition Pediatric Dentistry opened in August 2022 in Bellevue, Washington.

“By making our space exciting and entertaining, we are able to develop positive associations with visits to the dentist and make learning about oral health fun,” Dr. Miller said.

Although the practice is in the city of Bellevue, Washington, walls of second-floor windows opening to the tall trees surrounding the practice give it the illusion of being high among the trees in a more remote location. The practice uses a natural, calming color palette and playful names for its rooms, from the Ranger Station check-in desk to the Base Camp waiting room to operatories all named after national parks.

“Our design does an exceptional job blending our functional needs, rooted in providing high-quality dental care incorporating the principles of child psychology and our visual esthetic of exploring the outdoors,” Dr. Miller said.

At the Ranger Station, a purposely low counter allows the dental team to greet children at their own level as they enter the practice. Patients then head to Base Camp, where nature-themed books and toys encouraging open-ended play await them. A child-sized door welcomes patients back to the exam and procedure rooms, which are named after Mount Rainier, Olympic, Zion, Glacier, Yosemite and Crater Lake national parks. Each exam room has a diorama illustrating its namesake.

The operatories are designed with young patients in mind. For instance, the chairs in the exam rooms are stationary dental benches, which are more comfortable for children than standard dental chairs, Dr. Miller said.

“Dental benches have the advantage of encouraging even younger kids to recline on their own and feel safer at the dentist,” she said. “They are also very stable for parents to sit with them and provide encouragement and comfort, which is especially important for very young patients or patients with special health care needs.”

As a former dental assistant, Dr. Miller is especially proud of her practice’s sterilization room, which boasts separate areas for used and sterilized tools, custom-designed cabinetry and tip-out bins for efficient restocking.

“I find it’s much better to utilize the built environment to prevent errors than to just rely on training and reminders to encourage compliance,” she said.

Although the design process may have been stressful at times, Dr. Miller is happy to see her vision come to life.

“It is a delight to be recognized as a Design Innovation Award finalist,” she said. “It is so rewarding to be acknowledged for the effort and intention that went into our design. When you are in the midst of a design and build project, there is a sense of anxiety and uncertainty about executing your vision, so when you complete your space and are recognized by the ADA Design Innovation Award judges, it feels like your dream has truly come to fruition.”

The 2024 Design Innovation Awards are sponsored by ADA Member Advantage and Panacea Financial. The call for entries for 2024 will open in June.