ADA honors Dental Office Design contest winners

The winners of the ADA's 12th annual Dental Office Design competition were announced during the recent ADA annual meeting in Las Vegas.

Dr. Amber Allen's office in Omaha, NE, won the 2011 ADA design award in the small practice category.

Dr. Amber Allen's office in Omaha, NE, won the 2011 ADA design award in the small practice category.

The competition, sponsored by Wells Fargo Practice Finance, recognizes new office constructions and leasehold improvements or renovations "that most effectively express the practice philosophy of its practitioner(s) and demonstrate a thoughtful assembly of design characteristics associated with an up-to-date dental office."

Entries are judged by a panel of dental industry experts. This year's panel of seven judges included two architectural planners who are also dentists, two interior designers specializing in dental practices, a practicing dentist who has experienced the office design-and-build process, an ergonomic consultant specializing in the dental field, and a dental practice management consultant.

Here is a list of the 2011 winners:

• Dental Office Design of the Year is awarded for best overall facility as evidenced by functional design, efficient interior space planning and appropriate integration of dental equipment and technology.
  • Small practice: Amber Allen, DDS, Omaha, NE
  • Group practice: Pelham Links Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Simpsonville, SC

• Outstanding Achievement in Design Efficiency is awarded for the most effective space planning and use of square footage to meet practice needs and objectives.
  • David Caron, DMD, Dental Designs, Dayville, CT

Dr. David Caron works on a patient as his assistant accesses data. His Dayville, CT, office won the 2011 ADA design competition award for design efficiency.

Dr. David Caron works on a patient as his assistant accesses data. His Dayville, CT, office won the 2011 ADA design competition award for design efficiency.

• Outstanding Achievement for Environmental Considerations is awarded for exceptional attention given to take steps to help protect the environment.
  • Gila Dorostkar, DDS, Greenbrae, CA

• Outstanding Achievement in Specialty Practice is awarded for the best new, remodeled, or expanded facility for a specialty practice
  • Gila Dorostkar, DDS, Greenbrae, CA

• Outstanding Achievement for New Dental Practice is awarded for the best new, remodeled, or expanded facility for the first practice owned by a doctor or group of doctors who have graduated from dental school since 2001.
  • Amber Allen, DDS, Omaha, NE

Design of the Year winners each receive a $2,500 marketing bonus, a feature story in Dental Economics, and a plaque. Outstanding Achievement winners receive a plaque, coverage on the Wells Fargo website, and inclusion in a press release sent out to all dental trade publications.