Opportunities for Dental Design and Construction in a Coronavirus World

The federal government is investing large sums of money to encourage businesses to think positive and keep their eyes on the big picture. We are very lucky to live in a country that has the resources and economy to be able to negotiate something such as the Coronavirus outbreak with such strength.

The economies and share markets of the world have a 100 year track record of cycling through good times and bad. Sometimes we aren’t sure how long the bad times will go on. But in this case, everyone knows that we will emerge from the Coronavirus shutdowns within a relatively short timeframe and the need for dental and medical treatment will remain. Not only will people still have teeth, but their will be a build up of demand for dental treatment, orthodontics, restorations, surgeries and cosmetic treatments. So we are asking ourselves, what am I doing to make the most of this situation? Am I focussing on what I do have rather than what I don’t have? Am I focusing on the opportunities rather than the problems?

Most practices have taxable profits accrued for the 2019/20 financial year that will lead to tax being payable once the company tax return is lodged. Further, the very generous government cash flow assistance and Jobkeeper packages will support business in the next 3 months. This makes the government’s $150,000 instant asset write off very appealing for dentists that are looking forward to growth over the next 2 years. Investing in your practice now might pay off greatly when the patients return later in the year, and you can be proudly stimulating the Australian economy whilst you are at it.

If you are planning to expand or renovate your surgery in the next two years, it’s a great time to do it now. Please ring us for a conversation and some good old fashioned, honest advice.

Commodore Fitouts featured in Australasian Dental Practice Magazine again

Here is our latest fitout featured in Australasian Dental Practice Magazine.

Latest surgery complete at Macquarie Park in Sydney

We recently completed this nice new surgery in Macquarie Park in Sydney.

This surgery was designed by Antony Poate. Antony is a good designer whose surgeries are rewarding to build. Please find more info on Antony at https://antonypoatedesign.com.au.

This surgery has very high quality finishes and very nice natural light in the surgery rooms. The layout is particularly good and the feedback is that the surgery ‘works’ really efficiently. As you can see it looks great. Antony’s colour palate is distinctive without being too loud.

This surgery was completed on time in 8 weeks and on budget. Access was a bit tricky. Small lift with limited parking and loading dock but we made it happen.

Dr Katrina Zhao of Midas Dental is also a very lovely client and we enjoyed working for her.

Please see a few more photos in our Gallery page.

Tailoring dental fitouts to different chair types

We are doing a fitout currently with ambidextrous dental chairs. These chairs allow the dentist to work from either side and gives greater flexibility of positioning over the patient. It also allows dental assistants to work from different positions.

The installation of these chairs requires some special skills and experience. The design of the surgery needs to be re-thought from the original concept plan. More space is required when designing the fitout to ensure good space around the chair. It is important to determine which chair is being used before the surgery is designed to make beset use of the features of the chair.

Latest fitout featured in Australasian Dental Practice Magazine

Our latest fitout at Wentworth Point in Sydney has been featured in the current issue of Australasian Dental Practice Magazine. It’s a great looking modern fitout. We enjoyed this project very much. The client was great to deal with and the end result is fantastic.

New project supervisor at Commodore Dental & Medical Fitouts

This is Max. Max is our new project manager for our Dental & Medical fitouts in Sydney and surrounding areas. Max is very experienced, being 8 weeks old, and insists on the best quality work from our trades team at all times. He supervises all our commercial fitouts, dental fitouts, medical centre fitouts and all our design work in Sydney.

Dental and Medical Fitouts in Castle Hill, Beecroft, Norwest and Hills District

Max has been at projects in Castle Hill, Beecroft, Norwest and other areas in the Hills District this week. Max is very friendly and efficient and looks forward to assisting you with your dental or medical fitout project soon.

Latest Equipment for Dental Fitouts in Australia

I always enjoy going back to our dental fitouts around Sydney a couple of weeks after we have finished our fitout. The big difference is that the dental equipment has then been installed. We work closely with the dental equipment companies and always need to build a number of components into the fit out to facilitate the installation of particular chairs and equipment.

In recent years we have noticed a marked increase of the number of dental fitouts where we install an OPG from the outset. 5 to 10 years ago we would only put an OPG in about 25% of our new dental fit outs. Nowadays about 80% have an OPG. You can now buy a good quality OPG for around $30,000, whereas in the past they might have cost double that. We are also asked to make provision for 3D (hybrid) x-ray machines more often nowadays.

Many more dentists are doing their x-rays, 3D imaging and even milling of crowns etc in-house. The equipment is far more affordable and safer than it used to be. The dentists are aiming for a better patient experience and are hoping to increase revenue along the way. A win-win for dentists and patients.

Many general dentists are now carrying out orthodontic work. This also calls for different x-ray equipment that needs to be able to create digital impressions on site where possible.

Many of the equipment manufacturers now have joint promotions with finance companies to allow dentists to start using new equipment for up to 12 months before having to make payments or pay any interest.

We have good working relationships with most of the major equipment manufacturers and distributors in Australia. If you would like some unbiased, objective advice on equipment please feel free to contact us for a chat, and we can put you in contact with good, reliable people in the dental equipment business.

For the avoidance of any doubt, we have no financial arrangement with any dental equipment suppliers (or any other suppliers for that matter). We just deal with the good reliable people and are happy to put you in touch with them also.

Expand or improve your surgery fitout with your $30,000 instant asset write off

I noticed in the budget last night that ‘small business’ can now instantly write off assets valued at up to $30,000. That made me think, what could a dentist or doctor get for $30,000. Here is what I came up with:

1. Fit out that second treatment room. Many practitioners start off with one room fitted out and the other ready for when they get big enough. For $30,000 we can fit out a treatment room with cabinetry, flooring, painting, and some electrical fit off. I’m not an expert but I’m pretty sure you can buy an oral X-Ray for under $30,000 also (you can claim the asset write off on as many individual items as you wish).

2. You could fully refurbish your reception and waiting area of the practice. This could include new reception counter, feature walls, feature lighting, flooring etc. Imagine how happy your staff and patients would be in a brand new reception area, all of which can be written off this year.

April and May are very busy for us but at this stage we have a little bit of time in June, before the end of the financial year, when we could do some work for you. So please don’t hesitate to give me a call and let me know of your requirements.

Have a good day!

Another reason why you should choose Commodore Fitouts

This is the owner of Commodore Dental & Medical Fitouts, Craig Exley, in his work gear, happily painting. We don’t see this everyday.

But when this dental fitout project in Castle Hill absolutely and definitely had to be finished on time for a client to open, then Craig was there late into the evening in his work gear helping the painters.

That is one of the differences about Commodore. It’s owned and run by Craig, utilising a team of very dedicated and proud tradespeople. We all care very much about the outcome for our clients, and all strive to have a great name for our company. Every project is important, and we aim for every client to become our next ‘word of mouth’ advertiser.

So if you want to deal with the builder, not just the builder’s salesman or the latest project manager, then Commodore is the company for you. It doesn’t matter if you are a one chair start-up or a 2,000 square metre medical centre, we will deal with you personally and do everything in our power to get you the right workspace, at the right price, finished on time!