Fitting out a dental practice is a big investment, but exactly how much does it cost?
Whether you have a new space to design or are renovating an existing building, you’ll have a range of factors to think about, including the type of site it is, where the building is situated, the desired finish, and the type of equipment you need.
This blog outlines all the factors that contribute to the overall cost of a dental fitout.
A major initial decision you’ll need to make is the best location for your new practice. It’s important to be strategic about the site you choose as it will impact your visibility and accessibility as a business as well as your ability to acquire and grow your patient base.
However, another consideration is that the site you choose will impact the upfront fitout costs. When choosing between an empty commercial space or a residential property, the fitout cost differences will be determined by the nature of the building itself and the extent of work needed.
In the dental industry, it is a common misconception that converting a house to a dental practice is more cost-effective than building. However, when renovating an existing house, there are many hidden costs and unexpected complications. These fitouts also require the building to be stripped back to the bones for rewiring and plumbing, requiring a lot of additional work.
Fitting out a new space is often more efficient because it provides a blank canvas that can be designed to suit your vision. Newer buildings are also less likely to have unexpected pitfalls or expensive surprises to solve once the fitout begins.
In a multi-storey building, the floor level of your clinic will impact fitout costs. A ground floor fitout is typically more expensive because it requires intensive drilling into the concrete foundation to lay down service lines. If the foundation cannot be drilled into, a sub-floor will need to be built to run the lines underneath.
The first floor or above is often more affordable because lines can be laid into the ceiling cavity of the floor below instead.
However, it is also worth considering how the building level impacts the popularity of your practice with customers. For example, being on the ground level means being more accessible, visible, and prominent. With this in mind, the higher initial costs may be worth the overall success of the practice.
Read our article outlining what you need to know about starting a new dental clinic in 2025 >
Dental fitout designs range from a simple practice with the basic essentials to a high-end, architecturally designed practice with all the bells and whistles. To decide on your design style, you’ll need to consider what kind of patient demographic you are targeting.
As a baseline, a basic fitout with the most cost-effective options will typically start from around $2,500 per square metre. This would meet the minimum requirements of a functioning clinic but would be visually plain.
At the other end of the spectrum, a high-end fitout would come at a higher cost for interior design, creating a luxurious, welcoming, and appealing environment for your patients. This can pay off over time because patients are happier with their experience and more likely to visit regularly. For premium fitout designs, it is not uncommon for high-end designs to cost over $5,000 per square metre, depending on customisations and finishes.
Selecting dental equipment is an integral part of the overall fitout cost. Dental equipment costs vary considerably depending on the model, quality, and specialised features.
For example, a dental chair could cost anywhere from $30k to $100k. An entry-level chair can start at $30k while a high-end chair that is optimised for functionality and specialised work could range from $70k to $100k.
Another indispensable equipment asset is an X-ray machine. A standard X-Ray would likely cost around $30k while a high-end CBCT X-Ray could cost over $100k. That said, a CBCT X-ray is capable of creating 2D and 3D facial scans for in-depth analysis and treatment planning which may be worth the extra investment.
Dental equipment can vary in price depending on the value it offers your practice. You might find a basic setup is all you need, or you might find that investing more into your equipment will pay off long term.
Considering the prices for sterilisation tools, compressors, lighting, suction and handheld tools, you could be spending anywhere from $150k to $500k on your equipment. Selecting the right equipment will depend on your needs and vision for the practice.
As a baseline, you can get a basic fitout without any equipment starting from $300 to $350k. At the other end of the scale, an architectural fitout without equipment will generally start in the $500 to $700k range and increase from there. Please note that these prices are generalised estimates and are not reliable for every fitout.
While the rate of increase for construction material costs has slowed in 2025, the prices are still rising. The good news is, our experienced team will work closely with you to optimise your fitout process and follow the most cost-effective approach.
As part of your free site assessment and quotation from Dentec, you will receive:
Whatever your budget, we can design a fitout to meet your unique requirements.
To get a personalised quote for fitting out your practice, get a free assessment from Dentec. We’ll guide you through the process from concept to result, ensuring it all goes according to plan.
You can also download our free Guide to Setting Up a Dental Practice, complete with everything you need to know. Get your free copy to make an informed decision about your investment.