If you're planning a new dental practice or considering a refresh for 2026, sometimes the best starting point is seeing what's possible. Over the past couple of years, we've had the privilege of transforming spaces across New Zealand into functional, beautiful dental clinics that put patient experience first.
Here are five standout dental fitout projects that showcase different approaches, challenges, and solutions. Whether you're opening your first practice or renovating an existing space, there's inspiration here for what your dental clinic could become.
When Dr Hess Kim and Dr Julianna Tsao decided to open their four-chair dental practice in Wānaka, they faced a unique challenge: they were based in Melbourne throughout the entire build. Completed in November 2023, this 156m² dental clinic required us to manage everything remotely while keeping the clients informed every step of the way.
Building in Wānaka during winter also created expensive labour and travel costs. Construction couldn't start until the existing base build was finished, and the practice needed a microscope installed in one surgery, which required structural modifications to prevent vibrations.
We used project management software to send weekly updates with clear timelines and invoicing schedules. Our trades team handled the work directly instead of contracting out, which kept costs down. The four-chair dental clinic now offers specialist services to the Queenstown Lakes District.
Dr Finn Gilroy and Dr Fiona Firth looked at several locations before choosing a ninth-floor site with a balcony running around the perimeter. The 198m² dental practice was completed in October 2024, despite significant access and structural limitations.
Getting construction materials to the ninth floor meant closing the street at 3am to lift everything through the balcony. The solid concrete ceiling below prevented us from running service lines through the floor, so we built a raised floor throughout the dental clinic, which reduced ceiling height.
We used glass partitions in the dental clinic interior design to maintain an open feeling despite the lowered ceilings. Waste was pumped up to the nearest connection through ceiling cavities, and we installed a fully engineered steel structure to mount the microscope without vibration issues. The four-chair practice now has some of the best views in Dunedin.
The Smile Clinic initially planned to manage their own build but contacted us as their start date approached. They needed someone to take over project management so they could focus on the business side instead of coordinating trades.
We stepped in and handled both the design completion and build management. The 84m² dental fitout was completed in June 2024 and includes two chairs, reception, waiting room, staff room, sterilisation room, OPG room, and plant room.
Managing the base build, slab services, and dental fitout together streamlined the process and reduced costs. The finished dental practice reflects The Smile Clinic's colourful brand while remaining functional for daily operations.
Dr Derek Gray's Tahunanui dental practice needed a sterilisation room refurbishment. Having worked with us previously on a surgery room refresh, he contacted us for this project. The challenge was renovating a 7m² room that's critical to daily operations without shutting down the clinic.
We set up a temporary sterilisation room in the lab so the practice could continue treating patients throughout the two-week renovation (9-23 July 2025). This meant zero downtime and no lost revenue.
Working within existing service locations for water, waste, and power required adding a void behind the cabinetry for routing flexibility. Any noisy construction work happened after hours to avoid disrupting patients. With a budget of $90,000 for 7m², every detail had to count.
The result is a modern sterilisation room that maximises every centimetre of space, with updated cabinetry, improved workflow, and a Melag Meladerm 40 water filtration system.
Smooch Dental Spa set out to prove that dental visits don't have to feel clinical. When they opened their three-chair dental practice in Ravenswood, Christchurch, in August 2024, they combined dental hygiene services with facial aesthetics in a relaxing environment.
This 115m² dental clinic features a soothing palette of greens, neutrals, and natural materials. The dental clinic interior design includes custom features like a fluted reception desk and floor-to-ceiling dividers.
The construction timeline was tight due to the client's lease-free period, and we had to schedule noisy work for after hours to avoid disturbing neighbouring cafés and businesses. Through thorough planning and clear communication, we completed the project on schedule with no onsite downtime.
The finished space proves that a dental fitout can completely change how patients feel about visiting the dentist, with every design choice reinforcing the spa-like atmosphere.
Each of these dental practice projects had different requirements, but they all started with a clear vision for patient experience.
If any of these projects sparked ideas for your own dental clinic, we're here to help turn those ideas into reality. From initial concept through to final handover, our team handles every aspect of your dental fitout so you can focus on what matters most.
Contact Dentec today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.