Otter Dental

Interior Design Inspired by Alaskan Nature

Dr. Erich C. Ott created a dental practice which charms patients with an overall spirit of natural aesthetics. Ski lodge charm with timber, rough stones and wood are not the first thing patients would expect at their dentist. When Dr. Erich Ott set up his practice in Fairbanks, Alaska, six years ago, he placed a particular emphasis on its mirroring the natural perspective of his home state. “We live close to the Arctic circle, so the local landscape and wildlife and the love for the outdoors are a central part of our community.”

Natural Perspective: Elements like Timber and Rock Breathe Local Nature

The overall theme is a blend of rustic, raw materials offering an appealing contrast to the technological professionality of the treatment rooms. “When patients enter my practice, they experience a welcoming and warm atmosphere. Our patients absolutely love it,” says Dr. Ott, who still works together with the previous owner of the practice, Dr. W. Lee Payne, DDS. At the center of the waiting area is a spectacular large-scale fireplace made of gabion baskets filled with rocks from an old local goldmine. The mantle and nearby coffee table are made from a piece of reclaimed lumber. To create optical harmony in the room, the counter is also made of a rock filled gabion basket.

Love for Simplicity Shows in Modern Equipment

The streamlined modern equipment follows Dr. Ott’s love for simplicity. “In the treatment rooms, everything has its place. When I chose a treatment center, I looked for something highly functional,” he says. Today, all six of his treatment rooms are equipped with Intego Pro. “The workflow is smooth; everything communicates with everything. I can show my patients the video of their oral scans right away and explain their treatment to them. That’s something that opens the door for trust.”

With high-end technology, the treatment rooms yet playfully integrate small reminiscences of Alaskan nature and wildlife. Pictograms of animals like wolf, bison, lynx and deer give a unique touch to each of the six treatment rooms around the central area of the sterilization room.

With 12 employees, the Otter Dental Clinic offers a wide range of dental treatments. “With digital dentistry we can keep everything local. Our equipment includes CEREC, Primescan, and a 3D-printer so we can fabricate everything ourselves in our lab and there is no need to ship crowns, implants, or bridges over a thousand miles to the nearest lab. And it really makes a difference to people, when they can get their treatment done in a single visit instead of doing another hour-long drive by car,” adds Dr. Ott.

Discover Other Trends

Learn more about the exceptional design trends Artistic Spirit and Calming Comfort and their implementation in dental practices worldwide. They all create a unique patient experience that combines comfort with excellent clinical outcomes.

Artistic Spirit

Artistic Spirit takes a refreshingly creative and heterogeneous approach to design.

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Calming Comfort

The Calming Comfort trend uses light pastel colors and creates a fresh and relaxing ambience.

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