New wall colors, more-inviting flooring floor and the look of a living room create an instant cozy feeling in Laurelhurst Dentistry's now-flourishing practice in Portland, Oregon. 1. Arrange your waiting room like an inviting living room Before: Laurelhurst Dentistry's office felt sterile and uninviting. When you design your waiting room like an inviting living room, you instantly remind patients they are "at home" the moment they step into your office. Science tells us that familiarity decreases the stress response. Imagine the look of relief on your patients' faces when instead of walking into your waiting room with hard chairs lined up in rows, they're greeted with comfortable upholstered furniture like a medium- to firm-cushioned sofa and inviting chairs.5 Another design secret to creating a cozy living room vibe in your office is to balance any rectilinear shapes in your furniture and decor with curved ones. Studies report that people are far more likely to consider a room beautiful when it is flush with curves rather than full of straight lines.6 Other studies show that viewing objects with sharp elements-like pointy couches, side tables and the like-activates the fear response in the amygdala of the brain.7 This means choosing curved furniture and design elements in your office like side, end and coffee tables with rounded edges, and pillows that have curved patterns instead of square or gridlike ones. Listen to Cheryl Janis on Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran! Cheryl Janis discusses healing environments and how to transform your health care office, clinic or treatment room into an oasis by choosing the perfect paint. To listen, visit dentaltown.com and search for "788 Healthy Environments." 64 OCTOBER 2017 // dentaltown.comhttp://www.dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com