When dentist Dr Corbin Barry was designing his new practice in Darlinghurst NSW, his philosophy was to make a practice that looks nothing like your typical dental practice. Read more about how A-dec 400 dental units were incorporated into this vision.

1. 140 Australasian Dental Practice November/December 2023
surgery | DESIGN
I
n Sydney’s cosmopolitan Dar-
linghurst, you’ll find a dental
practice like no other.
And it’s not just the décor that
sets it apart. That said, the one-
off design is all part of the “vibe”
that communicates the philos-
ophy of the owner and his staff.
“Sage Space” looks nothing like a typ-
ical dental practice and bucks the trend of
promoting expensive cosmetic and restor-
ative dental treatments to patients, instead
advocating a preventative approach to
oral health.
Practice owner, Dr Corbin Barry,
believes dentistry has wrongly gone down
the “drill and fill” and cosmetic dentistry
path when the fundamental aspect is that if
we look after our teeth, there wouldn’t be
all this work for dentists.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as brushing
your teeth. Our goal here is we try to
teach people that prevention is key to save
money and time and pain through avoid-
able dental treatments,” Dr Barry says.
Here it’s the hygienists, not the dentists
who are at the front line of patient care.
After an initial consultation in a relaxing
space with a personal carer, patients are
ushered into one of the curtained-off pri-
vate brushing stations.
“The goal of this to give people a chance
to disconnect from the outside world and
learn to make brushing your teeth a daily
dedicated ritual instead of that thing you
do when you’re stressed and running late
and picking up clothes. It’s not a rush job.
“We play their favourite song and try to
get them to relax and enjoy the treatments
we offer and educate them about intro-
ducing good oral hygiene as part of their
daily routine.”
New look signals fresh
approach to dentistry
By David Petrikas

2. November/December 2023 Australasian Dental Practice 141
Equipment selection was another important part of the overall
patient experience.
“Our whole approach here is ‘less is more’ – that’s why we
went with the A-dec 400 chair with the remote A-dec ‘Duo’
delivery system.
“Patients only see the chair. The delivery system and instruments
are tucked away behind.” The assistant’s instruments are also dis-
cretely positioned on the side of a round work surface which pivots
into position at the head of the chair when needed. The LED dental
operatory light also mounted remotely from the cabinetry behind.
Dr Barry has used other chair brands but found the technical
issues were hard to resolve even by service technicians.
For that reason, he opted for the known reliability of A-dec,
opting for the A-dec 400 with plush, sewn upholstery.
“The A-dec is not only functional and reliable, it’s also
stylish,” he said. And ergonomically, it supports the patient in
total comfort.
It is also better for the operator because of its thin, flexible
backrest and articulating multi-position headrest which allow
optimum patient positioning and an ergonomically correct,
upright work position.
The chosen Pecan colour upholstery works perfectly with
the Portuguese cork flooring and other natural materials used
throughout the practice.

3. 142 Australasian Dental Practice November/December 2023
The inviting, aesthetically pleasing design is not just stroke of
luck, with Dr Barry having a degree in interior design which he
put to very good use in designing the practice and briefing his
architect and building team.
“I planned the layout together with the designer. I like the
idea of the psychology of space. Not just an algorithm like most
commercial builds. It’s more personal than that.
“It needs to be specific to the demographic we are targeting
to come in and to us as a brand. A practice in Western Sydney
should be different to one in Mosman for example.”
The result is more akin to a trendy café and luxury day spa feel.
High-end therapeutic retail goods like candles and incense are
on display and available for sale. Local Archibald Prize winning
artist Laura Jones has works on display together with others from
two art galleries which are on rotation through the space.
“When we designed this, it was a lot about using texture and
colour and combining different elements,” Dr Barry said.
“A lot of dentists or the companies that do a lot of surgery fit-
outs use neutral colour palettes or maybe do a theme room. But I
like to explore not just the design, but the psychology of spaces.
People can be relaxed by being distracted by tactile materials and
colours which helps settle them for dental treatment.
“Patients are sometimes so distracted, that they only ‘see’
things on their second appointment as they haven’t been able
to take in all the details on their first visit as each space has its
own character.”

4. 144 Australasian Dental Practice November/December 2023
Dr Barry said the spaces are separate themed rooms. There is
the ‘Kalamata olive’ room and a ‘terracotta’ theme in the other
surgery. Patient refresh areas are deliberately private and the
patient consult/accounts room with its dark walls feels like an
intimate softly-lit cocktail bar.
Extensive use is made of Venetian plaster, curved walls,
exposed grout and unique materials like eclectic chunky
terrazzo and natural cork and timber flooring, providing a funky
vibe throughout the practice. All of this is accentuated by mood
lighting throughout.
A third treatment room is set up for an osteopath with a spe-
cial chair for massage and manipulation of the jaw to eliminate
tension and help treat temporomandibular joint issues, working
collaboratively with a sleep doctor and local ENT specialist.
Moving beyond the osteopath’s room and past a curtained-off
OPG room to the side is a generous staff breakout area. Amenities
include not only the usual kitchen and dining area, but also a large
bathroom and shower.
Staff can change and go to the gym and come to work and have
a shower or change and go out afterwards. There is also a washer
and drier for uniforms, clothes and towels.
Extending the versatility of the practice, the breakout area
will also be used for casual evenings with talks from people in
the local community to get to know the practice and other local
people and businesses.
Summary
The Practice
The Practice Sage Space
The Principal Dr Corbin Barry
Practice Type General
Location Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales
Size 145 square metres
No of chairs 2+1
The Team
Design Dr Barry and Strutt Studios
Fitout Impression Projects
Project Manager Thanasi Bountros
Project Director George Bekiaris
Installer Dental Installations, Sydney
Equipment
Dental Units A-dec 400 with A-dec 541B Duo delivery
and A-dec 575L wall mount LED light
Sterilisation Dürr Hydroclave 50 Plus
Imaging Dexis OP 3D
Compressor Blok Jet Silent
Suction Cattani Turbo Smart B and AC300
Software Zavy 360