surgery | DESIGN
Multispecialty clinic
calls in the design specialists
A
fter years working as a specialist at
someone else’s practice, Dr Alan
Lee and Dr Thai Yeng felt it was
the right time to start their own specialist
practice. Dr Lee completed his specialist
training in Periodontics at Boston University in 2008 and Dr Thai Yeng completed
his specialist training in Endodontics at
Melbourne University in 2007; both have
over 13 years experience since obtaining
their undergraduate dental degrees.
With the decision made, the search
began for a suitable location. After initially finding the perfect place to set-up on
Sydney’s north shore, negotiations failed
at the eleventh hour. Not discouraged,
they continued to search and after several
more months of research and discussions
with real estate agents on possible locations, they identified North Sydney as
the ideal option.
210 Australasian Dental Practice
The final tenancy was selected for its
prime location and proximity to the train
station. Equally important, the Strata
Corporation seemed approachable and
keen to attract medical and dental tenants.
Once again, they contacted an architect
and two designers who each completed
different concept plans. AJ Barber came
highly recommended by a number of
associates but the decision to use AJ
Barber ultimately came down to their
competitive pricing, excellent ideas and
problem-solving abilities for the premise
they wanted.
“AJ Barber’s designer, Katie Fox, was
able to maximise the limited 62 square
metre premises to fit two surgeries, a lab,
steri area, office, tea room and an ample
waiting room,” Dr Yeng said. “She listened to our needs and what we wanted
and then came up with many excellent
ideas to ensure the new practice encompassed everything despite it being a small
narrow space.”
Drs Lee and Yeng had some fairly precise set-up requirements based on their
own specialty areas and it was important
that these were integrated into the project.
“AJ Barber were able to accommodate
our individual requests, listened to what
we wanted and then provide us with professional advice. They were exceptional,”
chorused Drs Lee and Yeng.
With the layout finalised, Katie then
negotiated with the Strata Corporation, a
Private Certifier and Council to obtain the
necessary approvals.
“AJ Barber’s involvement and active role
in the approvals process kept our minds at
ease and enabled us to concentrate on the
clinical aspects of setting up the practice
whilst still working,” Dr Yeng said.
July/August 2013
“In addition, with the building comprised entirely of office
suites, there was no individual water metering for each suite. The
Strata Corporation were rightly concerned that the extra water
usage required by a dental practice should not be shared amongst
the other tenants. Their resolution was to enact a special By-Law
covering the tenancy. Writing of the By-Law was done by the
Strata Corporation Lawyer.
“Once again, Katie’s involvement in this process was invaluable.
She handled most of the liaison, which made our lives much easier.
Despite minor hold ups during this phase, Katie kept us informed
at every stage and her knowledge and understanding of the
matters meant the approvals were obtained with minimal delay.”
Dr Yeng said that their initial brief to Katie at AJ Barber was to
create a clean, comfortable and relaxed ambience for dental treatment and by all accounts, this was delivered to the letter.
“We are delighted with the result,” Dr Yeng said. “Katie has
come up with finishes that not only work well aesthetically but
she also involved us in the planning process as well.”
“Rather than dictate colour selections to clients, I prefer to
engage and develop a scheme based on their preferences,” Ms
Fox said. “Of course it is up to the client how involved they want
to be in the final selection process, however I feel that it is the
client that will ultimately work there, not me, so it should be to
their liking. Creating the space in this way is fulfilling for both
me and the client.”
July/August 2013
Australasian Dental Practice
211
Setting up a new practice from scratch meant Drs Lee and Yeng
needed to purchase every piece of equipment for their clinic.
Luckily, the process coincided with the ADX 2012 tradeshow in
Sydney which meant they could very easily compare their options
and ultimately made some very major decisions quickly based on
their discussions with suppliers at the exhibition. Having all of
them in one place save an inordinate amount of time and energy.
Although they did not originally plan to accommodate a
Prosthodontist, during the construction stage they had the opportunity to include an associate specialising in this field. Dr Yeng
and Dr Lee agreed that it was a mutually beneficial long-term
development. The change meant a re-design of the floor plan to
accommodate a small lab area. Considering the total floor area
was only 62 square metres, allocating a lab was difficult but
fortunately not impossible.
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July/August 2013
Summary
The Practice
Principals
Dr Thai Yeng and Dr Alan Lee
Associate
Dr Ivy Hsiao, Prosthodontist
Type of Practice
Specialist Endodontic,
Periodontic and Prosthodontic
Location
North Sydney, New South Wales
Size
62 square metres
No of chairs
2
The Team
Design Company
AJ Barber
Senior Designer
Katie Fox
Construction/Joinery AJ Barber
Project Manager
Ben Fox
Equipment
“It is a testament to Katie’s ability to maximise every inch
of space,” Dr Yeng said. “She spent a considerable amount of
time ensuring the additional lab equipment could not only be
accommodated but also ensuring that the room was functional.
“Since the opening of our specialist practice, many of our referring dentists have expressed their happiness with our move to North
Sydney. All of them like the idea of referring to dental specialists
where they devote themselves to total patient care at their own
practice and the comfort of not having the
specialists disappear and relocate from
practice to practice after treating their
patients,” chorused Drs Lee and Yeng.
As a multispecialty clinic, referring
dentists and patients can choose to see
one specialist or can benefit from the
availability of several specialists in
the one location. Their clinic website
recently became operational and can
be viewed at www.nsdental.com.au for
further information.
Far from being a stressful time, Drs
Lee and Yeng thoroughly enjoyed the
construction process.
“This project was just like a baby, I saw
it develop from an embryonic stage until its
birth - now we get to see it grow! The team
at AJBarber was perfectly suited to our
214 Australasian Dental Practice
Units
Belmont Clesta II
Sterilisation
Mocom Millennium B+
X-Ray
Morita Veraview IX
Media Ray Intra Oral Camera
Microscope
Leica M320 with camera/video
Compressor
Werther Rondine Dry
Suction
Cattani Turbo Smart A
Software
Dental4windows and MediaSuite Imaging
needs. From start to finish, they never once complained and turned
our dream clinic into reality. An experience I will never forget,”
Dr Yeng said. “It is a great feeling working in your own specialist
clinic and being able to employ excellent staff to work with us really
makes a difference. It really does feel like I’ve been reborn again
and both Alan and I can practice exactly how we want to without
anyone telling us what we can and cannot do. I wish I started my
own clinic earlier!”
STERILE
OFFICE
FILES
RECEPTION
LAB
T2
T1
STAFF
FRIDGE
July/August 2013