A By Ben Burris, DDS, MDS ROOM VENUE PRACTICAL APPLICATION WITH A W hat do most people under the age of 40 do with their spare time? Think about what you see people doing everyday on airplanes, in waiting rooms, in taxi cabs, and even when others are trying intently to have a conversation with them! They're playing video games on smart phones, iPads, home and office computers, laptops and a myriad of miniature gaming devices. We are a society addicted to games. All of the above conveniences have made gaming possible anywhere, any time. "Gaming" is no longer a part of the cultural fringe. It's part of what fills the free time of the mainstream population! My point is this...regardless of whether you are in general practice or a specialist; it's a good idea to dedi-cate space in your office for a game room. We want dentistry in general, and orthodontics in particular, to be viewed as fun (or at least pleasant), and as something that will enhance and improve the lives of our patients. The fact that this is often not the perception held by the general public is another issue we must overcome. Traditionally, dentists have been regarded as deliverers of bad news and possibly pain. Visits to the dentist's office were dreaded and feared. So, logically, presenting yourself as a traditional dentist will invoke all those negative images that run rampant in the minds of John Q. Public and his kids. Dental Spas and the entire genre of practices like this were created to override these common fears and the concept has been successful for many; thus leading to much duplication. Standing out from the crowd in this way has become more and more difficult as others have “Game rooms are a great alternative that will differentiate you from other practices, and make patients feel more at ease and at home.” begun to hop on the spa bandwagon. If your area is already saturated with this type of dental practice, you need a new niche. Game rooms are a great alternative that will differentiate you from other practices, and make patients feel more at ease and at home. The first consideration when designing a game room is the target audience. Most dentists think of kids when it comes to game rooms so we will start there. Design-ing and incorporating a kids' game room is not as simple as you may think. There's a lot to consider. How old are the kids? How many will play at one time? Is there a theme that you want to convey or an office brand that you want to maintain? Will you use the game room to effectively enlarge your reception area? Once you've answered these questions you will know how much space you will need, and where it should be www.orthodontics.com March/April 2011 49
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society March-April 2011: Page 49
