Tahunanui Dental

Overview

Dr Derek Gray's Tahananui Dental practice contacted Dentec for a sterilisation room refurbishment. Having previously worked together on a surgery room refresh, Dr Gray knew Dentec could deliver the results he needed.

The project required updating a compact 7m² sterilisation room whilst keeping the practice fully operational. No building consents were needed as the work was primarily cosmetic, but the room is critical to daily operations, so minimising downtime was essential.

The Challenge

Dentec faced several unique challenges with this project. The practice couldn't afford any downtime, so maintaining sterilisation capabilities during construction was non-negotiable. To solve this, Dentec set up a temporary sterilisation room in the lab, allowing the practice to continue serving patients without interruption.

Time was of the essence. Dr Gray and his team needed full access to their sterilisation room as quickly as possible, so efficiency was critical. Noise control also presented a hurdle, with any disruptive work scheduled after hours to minimise disruption during operating hours.

Working within the existing service locations for water, waste, and power posed a technical challenge. Dentec overcame this by adding a void behind the cabinetry, creating the flexibility needed to run services exactly where required. With a budget of $90,000 for 7m², every detail had to count.

The Solution

Dentec completed the entire project in just two weeks, from 9 July through to 23 July 2025. The temporary sterilisation room setup allowed Dr Gray to continue treating patients throughout the renovation, maintaining the practice's workflow and protecting their revenue stream.

Working around existing service locations required creative problem-solving. Dentec added a void behind the cabinetry, providing the flexibility needed to route water, waste, and power exactly where required without compromising the design.

The result is a modern, high-quality sterilisation room that maximises every centimetre of the 7m² space. Updated cabinetry, improved workflow efficiency, and a Melag Meladerm 40 water filtration system now serve the practice's needs for years to come.

The Details