In part 2 of our renovation series, we look at considerations when renovating a practice.
Renovation case study
WA Dental
Dr Marc Nalder from WA Dental Ellenbrook, who renovated with UDPM, shares his practice renovation experience.
Why did you decide to extend your practice?
We found ourselves consistently fully booked and simply couldn’t keep up with the growing patient demand. By expanding the practice quite significantly, we’ve not only met our current needs but also future-proofed our capacity. This means we can continue to grow without hitting a bottleneck again anytime soon.
What did the renovation entail?
We expanded into neighbouring units, allowing us to create a purpose-built environment with 15 treatment rooms: eight for general dentistry, five for orthodontics and two for surgical procedures. Each area of dentistry now has its own dedicated space, which has streamlined our workflow and made everything more efficient.
How long did the renovation take?
The longest part was the council approval and planning stages because we wanted to optimise every square meter. Once that was sorted, the renovation itself was completed in about six months.
Where did you take inspiration from for the practice design and layout?
It was a blend of approaches. For the general rooms, the design was straightforward, but for surgical and orthodontic spaces, we combined ideas from various clinics and then customised them to fit our unique setup. We had to be creative since there wasn’t really a template for a practice combining all three areas of dental under one roof.
What are your thoughts about the results? How has it changed or improved your practice?
The results have been incredible. Our team loves the improved workflow and patients notice the wow factor we’ve gone for. It’s not just about day-to-day improvements, this renovation has future-proofed our practice, ensuring we can keep expanding without outgrowing our space.
Are there any other additions or changes you are planning on making to the practice in the future?
Right now, we’re just focused on fitting out the remaining two general dental chairs as we grow. We’re excited to see how things evolve and we’re always looking for new innovations to keep things fresh and ensure our patients have the best experience.
How did you and your team manage the continuing running of your practice during the renovation process?
We worked closely with the builders and got creative with space, turning dental rooms into temporary offices and using the surgical area as a temporary reception. Our patients were really understanding and even excited to see the transformation happen in front of them.
As a practice owner who has gone through an extensive renovation, what would your advice be to others considering it?
Get multiple quotes. It can save you a lot. Also, plan for the long term so you don’t have to renovate again soon. Build a space that can grow with you.
Was there anything you would change if you were undergoing the process again?
Not really! It was a fun experience, and I’m thrilled with the results. If anything, I just wish we’d captured more progress photos along the way – it would be nice to look back and see how far we’ve come.
Renovating and Expanding a Dental Practice
Castlegate Dental
Renovating or expanding a dental practice presents a valuable opportunity to enhance clinical efficiency, improve patient experience, and strengthen long-term operational sustainability. Successful outcomes, however, rely on early collaboration between all stakeholders, including practice owners, project managers, equipment suppliers, and specialist contractors. A recent renovation project at Castlegate Dental, led by Principals Jilen and Michael, Practice Manager Jane, builder Simon Coyle and the team at United Design and Project Management (UDPM), together with equipment supplier West Coast Dental Depot, demonstrates how structured planning and coordinated communication can support complex practice upgrades.
Project Overview and Key Outcomes
The renovation involved a comprehensive redesign and expansion of the clinical and administrative layout to support future growth and improve workflow efficiency. The practice temporarily ceased operations for eight weeks to allow the construction works to be completed safely and efficiently.
Key project outcomes included:
Increasing treatment room capacity from two to three surgeries, enabling the practice to accommodate higher patient volumes and reduce waiting times
Creating a combined Practice Manager office and consultation space, incorporating a shared “hot desk” arrangement for the principals.
Delivering a newly designed ergonomic sterilisation area, including stacked autoclave configuration to optimise spatial efficiency.
Relocating the plant room externally to a purpose-built, air-conditioned, and acoustically dampened enclosure to improve internal environmental conditions.
Providing a dual-function staff room incorporating an administrative workspace to support operational flexibility.
Redesigning the patient reception and waiting area with integrated backlit architectural features and seating elements to enhance the overall patient experience.
These improvements were developed through detailed consultation with the practice to ensure the new layout supported both current operational needs and future service expansion.
Equipment Integration and Technical Coordination
From an equipment planning perspective, early engagement between the project team and West Coast Dental Depot ensured that clinical workflow requirements were incorporated into the design phase rather than addressed retrospectively during construction.
Director Greg James and Sales and Projects Manager Wayne Young worked closely with the practice and construction team throughout the planning and delivery stages to ensure equipment requirements remained aligned with the evolving design. This collaborative approach supported informed decision-making around spatial planning, service infrastructure, and installation sequencing.
This approach enabled:
Early confirmation of equipment positioning and spatial allowances.
Coordination of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and data services with construction trades.
Alignment with manufacturer specifications and regulatory compliance requirements.
Streamlined installation and commissioning following completion of building works.
Reduction of potential downtime through structured planning and sequencing.
Through close collaboration between the practice, builder, and equipment supplier, equipment service requirements were fully integrated into the construction programme, enabling efficient installation and handover upon project completion.
Sterilisation considerations
At a dental practice, it is important to take into account sterilisation considerations. Hayley Avery, Managing Director of STS Group Australia (STS Health & Mocom Australia), shares her considerations:
Plan a one-way instrument workflow from the outset
Renovation layouts should allow instruments to move from dirty to clean, receiving, cleaning, inspection, sterilisation, then storage, without crossover. Designing zoning early avoids compliance issues and workflow constraints later.
Design joinery and services around equipment requirements
Sterilisers, washer disinfectors, and ultrasonic cleaners have specific space, ventilation, drainage, and service access needs. Confirming equipment footprints and services before joinery design prevents costly rework.
Check AS/NZS 5369 and ADA guidance before finalising plans
Current standards influence zoning, sinks, storage, ventilation, and reprocessing flow. Reviewing requirements during planning helps ensure the renovated space supports compliance from day one.
Specify cleanable, infection-control compliant finishes
Benchtops, cabinetry, and splash zones should be smooth, impervious, and resistant to cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. Minimal joins, sealed edges, and wipeable surfaces reduce contamination traps and support effective cleaning.
Allow space for heat, ventilation, and future capacity
Modern sterilisers generate heat and require airflow and servicing clearance. Planning for ventilation and potential additional equipment ensures the sterilisation room remains functional as the practice grows.
Top tips from Sam Koranis, Medifit Design and Construct
Top tip for a practice owner who is looking at a building a new practice
Planning with purpose is crucial to success. When you’re starting from scratch, the most valuable step is to invest time in defining your clinical and business objectives before design begins. Everything from your site selection and spatial flow to compliance and intended patient experience should be guided by those goals. Engaging a specialist healthcare design and construction team early to guide you through the process can avoid costly redesigns or compliance issues later. A well-planned design should enhance efficiency, reflect your brand values, and support the way you want to practice.
Top tip for a practice owner who is looking to expand their current practice – expanding number of rooms
Expanding your practice is the ideal time to future-proof your layout and infrastructure for emerging technologies and evolving models of care. It’s not just about adding more rooms, it’s also a chance to improving operational flow, patient throughput and staff experience. Look for opportunities to not only increase your footprint but improve the productivity of your existing space.
Top tip for a practice owner who is looking to refresh their current practice.
Consider how patients experience your practice. Their comfort, confidence and perception of quality all begin from the moment they walk in your doors. If your practice looks tired, what sort of message does that send to your patients? How do patients move through your practice? Is there a defined flow? finishes, lighting, and better ergonomics can transform the feel of a space while maintaining your current footprint.
Finance tips
Josh Van Bruchem from BOQ Specialist, shares his top tips:
When planning a renovation, it’s important to engage your banking partner early to help ensure funding is structured appropriately and available when you need it, reducing the risk of delays during the build.
One common challenge is using a funding structure that isn’t well aligned to the timing and nature of renovation costs, which can place unnecessary pressure on cash flow over the life of the project.
When considering where to invest, look beyond aesthetics and think about whether the upgrade will improve efficiency, increase capacity or support smoother patient flow, all of which can contribute to stronger business performance over time.
It’s also important to factor in cash flow impacts during the renovation period. If the practice needs to temporarily close or reduce appointment volumes, consider how ongoing fixed costs will be managed while revenue is affected.
