Designing Your Dream Orthodontic Practice

Designing an orthodontic practice is exciting. It is also one of the most permanent and expensive decisions you will make as an owner.

In this episode of the Hey Docs! podcast, Jill Allen sits down with Felipe Lopez, principal architect at Joe Architect, to break down what orthodontists need to understand before committing to a layout, a team, or a set of plans. Whether you are launching a startup or expanding an established practice, this conversation is about building with intention and avoiding design decisions that quietly limit growth.

Architect vs. Designer: Why Ortho Workflow Changes Everything

One of the most common misconceptions Felipe sees is that architects and designers are interchangeable. In orthodontics, that misunderstanding can be costly.

Architecture determines how your practice functions day to day — patient flow, sterilization paths, bonding efficiency, consult room placement, and whether your team can move patients through appointments smoothly. Interior design focuses on finishes, branding, and patient-facing aesthetics.

Orthodontic practices are highly system-driven. If the architecture is not designed around how ortho actually operates, even the best-looking office will feel inefficient from day one.

Understanding Service Levels Before You Sign Anything

Not all design services are created equal, and many orthodontists do not realize that until they are already mid-project.

Felipe explains that full-service architectural firms manage far more than floor plans. They coordinate engineering, oversee permitting, work through city requirements, and help navigate construction challenges as they arise. Limited design services often exclude these responsibilities, leaving the doctor to manage critical details without realizing it.

In orthodontics, where margins depend on efficiency and volume, design missteps tend to show up fast — in longer appointments, bottlenecks, and team frustration.

Every Ortho Project Needs a Quarterback

Jill and Felipe highlight a common issue in orthodontic buildouts: too many professionals involved, but no clear leader.

Successful projects have a quarterback — someone responsible for aligning architects, engineers, contractors, and city officials. Without that leadership, miscommunication leads to delays, redesigns, and change orders that eat into both timelines and budgets.

Orthodontic practices thrive on coordination. Your build should reflect that same discipline.

Questions Orthodontists Should Ask Early (Not Mid-Build)

Felipe encourages orthodontists to ask direct questions upfront, including:

• Who is managing city approvals and permitting?

• Who coordinates and reviews engineering plans?

• How detailed are the construction drawings for orthodontic equipment and flow?

• Who leads value engineering if costs exceed the budget?

• How are future expansion and additional providers being accounted for?

If these answers are unclear, it is a signal to slow down before moving forward.

Why a Comprehensive Approach Protects Your Growth

An orthodontic dream practice is not just about how it looks on opening day. It is about how it supports growth over the next ten to fifteen years.

Felipe compares the design process to orthodontic treatment itself. Direct-to-consumer aligners and specialist-led care may aim for similar outcomes, but the process, predictability, and results are fundamentally different. Practice design works the same way. A comprehensive approach anticipates problems before they appear.

Final Takeaway

Designing an orthodontic practice is a business decision, not just a construction one.

The right team, clear service expectations, and a strong project leader set the foundation for efficiency, scalability, and long-term success. Getting this right early allows your practice to grow without being constrained by decisions made under pressure.

If you are preparing for a startup, expansion, or major redesign, this conversation offers clarity orthodontists wish they had sooner.