A new breed of dental uniforms have emerged, with mix-and-match collections that add polish to a practice, explains Kerryn Ramsey
A new breed of dental uniforms have emerged, with mix-and-match collections that add polish to a practice, explains Kerryn Ramsey
While we haven’t spotted too many dental wear collections on the Milan fashion runway, a quiet design revolution has emerged. Forward-thinking practices have realised that a uniform reflects the personality and professionalism of your team—and the practice itself.
A white lab coat was once all that was required but now a corporate ensemble—working for dentists, hygienists, receptionists and managers—projects a practice’s brand, utilising the firm’s colours and logo.
According to Amanda Muir, owner/designer of Wrapped Concept Uniforms, her bespoke ranges encapsulate a total image that draws from the practice’s architecture, fit-out and graphic design. She consults with the practice on potential uniform samples, fabric swatches, colour palettes, detailed- panels, piping options and button and zip detail. “The uniform is certainly a part of the overall marketing and perception,” she says. “It also tends to pull all
the practice together as a team.”
Introducing a new workwear range was a final touch for the practice run by Dr David Digges. It followed a rebuild of his Bellevue Hills Dental practice two years ago in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “My practice manager at the time had good design skills and helped us achieve the current look, along with our specialist design architects,” he says. “It was to complement our practice cards and colour scheme as well as being practical in terms of marks and stains.”
While Dr Digges’s uniforms, purchased from Wash ’n’ Wear in Melbourne, are in an understated grey, other practices have been a little more adventurous.
With uniforms in basic black with red piping and embroidered logos, Dental Lounge in Sydney’s CBD and Hunters Hill provides corporate wear as well as different scrubs for males and female staff. “The different cuts offer a more fitted look for both the men and women, and give plenty of stretch and comfort,” says Dr Mark Braund.
Jin Chan Dental Surgery in Queensland’s Gold Coast, meanwhile, have produced matching uniforms in vibrant colours with black detailed panels. “Bright colours reflect a more happy mood and we want our staff and patients to feel relaxed—not sombre,” says Dr Jin Chan in the suburb of Robina. “Every staff member wears a different colour so when patients are trying to identify who they were talking to, they don’t have to feel embarrassed or unsure if they don’t know our names. It’s easy to say, ‘See Nikki in purple at the front desk; she will help you with that appointment.’ We find this helps patients to get to know our names too.”
When looking for the right colours for your practice, business consultant Janice Hurley-Trailor names a few hues to avoid. “You never want red in the back office, no matter what people’s colouring is,” says this US-based specialist who’s worked with so many dental practices, she’s been dubbed the ‘dentistry’s image expert’. While a personalised uniform range minimises any concerns or confusion about the staff’s taste, it also makes customers feel at ease. And while bright colours are warm and uplifting, it’s essential that the workwear still has a clinical edge. That’s why Hurley-Trailor prefers “a form-fitting lab jackets over a crisp collared blouse. The worst thing to have is those very loose fitting cheap material scrubs that in the States are often assigned as prison garb”. She also noted that street shoes are the way to go, and tennis shoes or Crocks should be worn at parks or beaches—not in surgeries.
In addition, various workwear manufacturers provide design elements such as extra pockets—some designed to accommodate a phone or iPod—plus Velcro and button closures.
While lab coats evoke pure professionalism, scrubs have been redefined over the past decade, making them well-fitted, durable and stylish. The popularity may come from watching TV medical series like ER, Grey’s Anatomy and, of course, Scrubs, but there’s no denying that new scrubs consist of better materials and more design-savvy patterns and colours.
Dr Chan and her team have been using their fitted, v-neck scrubs from Medeleq for the past four years, and she says they’ve been “extremely colour fast and long lasting”.
While dentists take care when selecting the right style and shape, other factors, such as safety and durability, come into play. This covers anti-viral and anti-odour technologies as well as moisture management and wrinkle-resistant technologies.
Another Australian firm, Miranda Uniforms, treats its fabrics with Teflon stain-release treatment which helps to remove stains easily when laundered.
Just as dental tools and surgery have advanced leaps and bounds, uniforms have also evolved. Gone are the days of drab prestaline fabric and candy-striped materials in practices. While technology, comfort and practicality are the priorities, style and fit aren’t far behind. While we won’t be expecting signature dental wear by Collette Dinnigan or personalised loupes by Alex Perry in the near future, there’s no denying that a bespoke collection provides polish and professionalism to a practice—with a little personality tossed in.
