Disability Accommodations in Your Dental Office

You might have already gotten your dental office design in place, purchased your equipment and laid out the furniture for the waiting room. Before you proceed further, however, you should evaluate if your office is easily accessible for disabled patients. Once you review the following considerations, you will be able to make sure your office is an accessible and welcoming place for everyone.

Getting Into the Office

While there are some components to your building that you have no control over, it is still a good idea to review how your patients get from the parking lot to your office and see what parts of the route you have control over and can make better. For example, is the entrance of your office large enough for a wheelchair to get through? Are there areas where ramps may be useful? Could you install an automatic push button for the door?

Preparing for the Appointment

You must also review the different tasks the patient must do after entering your office. Can they easily speak with your customer service personnel and get their paperwork situated? Will they be able to wait comfortably in the waiting room before their appointment? Will they be able to easily go into the patient room or maybe stop at a restroom first?

Consider Your Employees

Implementing ADA accommodations in your dental office design can also be potentially beneficial for your employees. If one of them had an accident and they’re confined to using crutches or sitting in a wheelchair, would they still have easy access to the documents or appliances they need to perform their job?

Incorporating disability accommodations into a dental office design might seem tricky or time-consuming. That’s why hiring a trained professional can be a big help with the process. With a professional at your side, you can save time by including accommodations in your design from the beginning and still create a well-designed space that suits your taste and needs.