Colors can be used effectively in your dental practice to enable both patients and staff to feel more comfortable.

1. Colors in Dentistry
and Life
Brought to you by Sulzer Mixpac Dental

2. Colors in Your Practice
• Colors can be used effectively in your practice
to enable both patients and staff to feel more
comfortable while in your environment
• Use cool, natural colors – such as blue, green
or brown – for a calming effect
• Use warm colors – vibrant reds, oranges, pinks
and yellows – sparingly; they can tend to
make people feel agitated

3. Colors in Your Practice
• Before redecorating your practice, consider your patient
base. Does it consist of:
– Mostly children
– Seniors
– Young and trendy?
• What kind of environment exists in your practice? Is it:
– Anxiety-free, friendly, tranquil, radiating serenity and focus
– A “feelgood” space, promoting a sense of wellbeing and
lightness
– Preventive, a functional place intent on keeping sickness at bay
– Regenerative, with a relaxed mood, aiding concentration

4. Colors in Your Practice
• Before redecorating or redesigning your space, you may
want to seek help from a professional. There are quite a
few interior decorators who specialize in dental offices
• With that in mind, some colors may be
uniquely suited for one practice, but
not at all suitable for another
• Some may be perfect for wall colors
or even entire rooms, whereas others
might be better used only for
accessories

5. Blue and Brown
Blue
• Considered “favorite
color” of many
• Perceived as trustworthy,
dependable and steadfast
• Cools, calms and sedates
• Often associated with sky
and sea; promotes sense
of freedom
Brown
• Symbolizes stability,
reliability – a sense of
approachability
• Offers a feeling of
wholesomeness
• Suggests a connection
with the earth and
provides a sense
of order

6. Yellow and Turquoise
Yellow
• Suggests sunshine
• A happy color, indicating
lightness, openness, warmth
• Possesses an uplifting energy
• Enhances joy, promotes
motivation and awareness
• Encourages communication
• A soft yellow is well suited for
waiting and reception
areas as well as
smaller rooms
Turquoise
• Often associated with
Caribbean beaches
• Balances the peace and
tranquility of blue with the
uplifting energy of yellow and
the growth-sense of green
• Enhances focus and
concentration
• Calms, heals emotions
and restores
depleted energy

7. Green and Gray
Green
• THE color in nature; an ideal
backdrop in interior design
• Friendly and open
• Shades from “forest” to “lime”
are perceived as calming and
refreshing
• Soothes and relaxes the mind
and the body
• May help alleviate
uneasiness and
anxiety
Gray
• Represents intellect,
knowledge and wisdom
• Perceived as enduring, classic,
sleek and refined
• Dignified and conservative;
possesses a sense of authority
• The color of compromise
• Neutral and hence
popular with
designers as a
background color

8. Red and Orange
Red
• Represents power, energy and
passion
• Increases enthusiasm,
promotes action and
confidence
Orange
• Stimulates activity; encourages
sociability
• Radiates warmth, friendliness,
optimism and openness
• Traditionally associated with
Thanksgiving and autumn, the
harvest time

9. Purple and Pink
Purple
• Calms the mind; eases
nervousness
• Considered the Color of
Royalty, indicating piety and
honor
• Perhaps provide a Royal
award of your own design to
fearful patients for the honor of
going through treatment
successfully
Pink
• Soothing
• Discourages aggression and
ill-will
• Encourages an air of
friendliness

10. „Side Effects“ of Colors
• Blue – Some shades may be too intense and seem unfriendly or cold
• Brown – May be perceived as boring or monotonous when not highlighted by other
colors
• Gray – May seem unsettling or radiate a lack of confidence; can have a dampening
effect on other colors combined with it
• Red – Can increase blood pressure, respiration and pulse rate. Is associated with
blood; should be used with caution in a dental office
• Orange – People either love or hate the color. It can create anxiety in some people.
Use sparingly, perhaps as a highlight in reception or waiting areas
• Purple – As a mixture of red and blue, purple can be disquieting if the undertone is
not clearly defined. It might be perceived as melancholy or depressing. Use sparingly
• Pink – Bright pinks – like red – can increase blood pressure, respiration, heart rate.
Can be perceived as physically draining and destabilizing
Irrespective of cultural connotations, there is always the risk that some people may just
not like a specific color.

11. Other Ways to Introduce Colors to
Your Practice
http://www.etsy
.com/listing/125
704355/mini-
colorful-tooth-
fairy-
pillows?ref=pr_s
hop http://www.etsy.com/listing/
92141972/keep-calm-and-
floss-on-11x14-dentist-
art?ref=shop_home_active
http://www.etsy.co
m/listing/10136105
0/brush-floss-rinse-
ombre-blue-
pastel?ref=shop_ho
me_active
• Motivational posters, giveaways,
toys
• Plants and flowers – Bring a sense
of the outside in; a fragrant
bouquet will brighten any space
• Art prints or photos – You might
even consider hanging some on
the ceiling to give patients
something to look at during
treatment

12. Other Ways to Introduce Colors to
Your Practice
http://www.hu-friedy.com/
http://www.practicon.com/
• Colorful equipment is
another way to add the
benefits of color to your
practice
• Here are just a few of a
wide range you might
employ
http://www.sulzer.com/microsites/tips-for-dentists

13. Inspiration for Your Practice
The internet offers easy access to colorful inspiration for
your dental practice. Here are just a few links you might
find helpful:
• http://catalog.ada.org/ProductCatalog/115/Managing-Your-
Practice/Dental-Office-Design-A-Guide-to-Building-Remodeling-and-
Relo/P091
• http://pinterest.com/rachebug/dental-office-decor/
• http://weburbanist.com/2011/07/24/open-wide-10-jaw-dropping-
dental-office-concepts/

14. Sources (sample)
• http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-meaning-
symbolism-and-psychology/
• http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-
properties-of-colours
• http://www.etsy.com (for the posters and teeth)
• http://www.hu-friedy.com/ (for the equipment)
• http://www.practicon.com (for the equipment)
• zm 97, Issue 11