Whether taking part in a full renovation, or making small changes, renovating a practice is a big step. In this two-part series, we look at some practice renovation examples and advice from the experts.
Bega Dental, A Collaborative Upgrade
When the time came to renovate the dental surgery and sterilisation room at Bega, the responsibility fell to Shaun Thomas, ICT Coordinator for Corporate Services. Tasked with leading the project, Shaun recognised that a successful fit out required more than just new cabinetry and paintwork – it needed precision, compliance, and forward-thinking design to ensure the space would serve clinicians and patients for years to come.
Working closely with him was Practice Administrator | Clinical Services, Jessica Poke, who had already been with Bega for several years and provided valuable operational insight into the needs of clinicians and patients. Her experience ensured the design decisions went beyond aesthetics, aligning the fitout with the realities of day-to-day practice.
With a long-standing relationship with West Coast Dental Depot (WCDD) through equipment servicing, Shaun and Jessica called on Greg James and Wayne Young for their specialist knowledge of fitouts. Their expertise ensured that every service line, surface, and installation point was positioned correctly from the outset, making the integration of new equipment seamless. The result? A complete transformation of the surgery and steri room, featuring a new A-dec chair, digital x-ray, sterilisation system, and auxiliary equipment – all installed with an eye for detail and full compliance with Australian standards. The new space is now home to RFDS dentist Dr Trish Elder, who brings critical oral health services to the community.
Why Compliance Matters in Dentistry
It’s easy to view fitouts as a matter of aesthetics – fresh flooring, new cabinetry, a modern chair. But true success in a clinical environment goes deeper. Behind every clean surface is a framework of compliance and maintenance designed to protect patients and practitioners alike.
The A-dec 55 Point Check Plan
Every new A-dec chair is supported by a rigorous 55 Point Check Plan, covering everything from chair motion to handpiece calibration, suction performance, and utilities hidden in the floor box. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise – it prevents breakdowns, extends equipment life, and ensures the dentist’s workflow remains uninterrupted.
Waterline Safety
Dental unit waterlines can harbour biofilm, unseen but potentially dangerous. Routine flushing, treatment protocols, and regular microbial testing ensure that patients receive safe, clean water. At Bega, waterline management has been built into the servicing schedule to maintain accreditation standards and protect patients.
Upholstery Care
Patients often judge the professionalism of a clinic from the first thing they touch: the chair upholstery. Protecting and maintaining these surfaces with approved cleaning methods extends their life and reassures patients of the clinic’s hygiene standards.
Building to Code The Standards Behind the Fitout
Behind the clinical polish, the Bega renovation adhered to the critical codes that govern dental surgeries:
AS/NZS 3003:2018 Body Protected Areas
Every dental room must be certified annually to ensure patient safety against electrical faults. The fitout was designed with these protections in place from the ground up.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Testing and Tagging of Equipment
Every powered device – from chairs and x-rays to suction units – must be tested, tagged, and documented annually. At Bega, this ensures that hidden faults never compromise patient or staff safety.
Together, these standards create a safety net that goes far beyond visual appeal – they guarantee the surgery can withstand the daily demands of patient care.
Wembley Dental, Unlocking Hidden Capacity Through Smarter Practice Design
A recent dental fitout project undertaken by Medifit for Dr Rob Tyrell at Wembley Dental highlights how meaningful productivity gains can be achieved by optimising existing clinical spaces rather than expanding or relocating.
At the front of the practice was an original treatment room that had become outdated and increasingly constrained by modern clinical requirements. While still operational, the room no longer supported efficient workflows or contemporary equipment, limiting both comfort and productivity. Its location and footprint, however, presented a clear opportunity for improvement.
Medifit worked closely with Dr Tyrell to reimagine the space, focusing on functionality, ergonomics and compliance without increasing the overall footprint. Through careful spatial planning and detailed design development, the existing room was completely redesigned and upgraded into a fully functional, modern treatment room. The fitout included a new dental chair, integrated services, compliant cabinetry and finishes that align seamlessly with the rest of the practice.
Despite the room’s modest size, thoughtful layout decisions ensured efficient circulation, improved sightlines and optimal equipment positioning. The result is a space that feels open, organised and intuitive to work in, supporting smoother clinical workflows for both practitioner and assistant while providing a more comfortable environment for patients.
The benefits to the practice were immediate. By modernising and optimising an underperforming treatment room, Wembley Dental increased its usable clinical capacity and improved appointment flow. The upgraded space reduced pressure on other rooms during peak periods and allowed the practice to operate more efficiently, ultimately supporting higher patient throughput without increasing staffing levels or operating hours.
Top tips
To help ensure a smooth renovation or building process from Sam Koranis, Medifit Design and Construct
Prioritise compliance from the start
Healthcare design and construction come with strict regulatory requirements – from infection control and accessibility to radiation shielding and mechanical ventilation. Addressing these early in the design stage avoids costly redesigns and approval delays later. A specialist healthcare design partner understands these standards and integrates compliance seamlessly into both design and documentation.
Budget for quality, not just cost
The lowest quote isn’t always the best outcome. In healthcare environments, durability, hygiene, and long-term maintainability are just as critical as aesthetics. Invest in quality materials and experienced trades familiar with healthcare standards – it pays dividends in reduced maintenance and a longer-lasting, more professional result.
Engage the right team early
Choose designers and builders who specialise in dental practices and involve them from the outset. There is knowledge specific to dental design and construction that generalist builders and designers simply don’t have. We’ve been learning on this journey for 24 years now and have rescued plenty of projects where things were overlooked because generalist contractors just didn’t know they were required. Early collaboration between design, construction and equipment suppliers reduces surprises and ensures a compliant, coordinated outcome.
Top tips from Josh Van Bruchem,
BOQ Specialist
When conducting a refurbishment, take this time to reflect on the flow of your practice to see if a reconfiguration could improve productivity and utilisation of the space.
Once the refurbishment is decided, it can be beneficial to partner with a fit-out specialist to ensure minimal practice disruptions and the highest standard of works.
I then recommend getting a detailed understanding of the works required and to obtain a quotation upfront, to prevent any surprise cost overruns.
