Untouched Exterior Conceals "Wow" Factor of Newly Renovated Interior

Fremont Family Dentistry - Fremont, Nebraska | Adam Lamprecht, DDS

Although the exterior looks the same as it has
for several decades, patients are greeted with a spectacularly modern dental practice inside after a renovation and expansion.

The outside of Fremont Family Dentistry has remained unchanged over several decades, but the inside has undergone an expansion, an upgrade, and a complete transformation! The bones of this building were solid, which allowed Dr. Adam Lamprecht to create a dream office inside that is modern, open, and striking. In this advanced general-dentistry practice, Dr. Lamprecht, along with his associate, Dr. Ben Peters, offers general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, same-day crowns, implants, and orthodontics.

The seeds of this building project were planted in 2009 when Dr. Lamprecht returned to Fremont, the Nebraska community in which he was raised, to buy a practice of his own. About two years later, a colleague, Dr. Robert Schlumberger, approached him with an offer to sell his practice and building. Managing two buildings seemed too daunting a task at that time, so Dr. Lamprecht bought the practice and waited on purchasing the building. He combined both practices together, moved into Dr. Schlumberger’s larger building, and Fremont Family Dentistry was established. After practicing together for six years, Dr. Lamprecht finally purchased the building from his friend in May 2017. The practice footprint was 3,000 square feet with six operatories, but there was another 1,500 square feet in the building, leased by a tenant, that offered opportunities.

The doctor reached out to his Henry Schein team and Equipment Sales Specialist shortly after buying the building to start the conversation about how to renovate the space and maybe expand it a bit.

“We were running out of space,“ said Dr. Lamprecht. “Our building was in good shape, had room to expand, and was located in a good, centralized location. As more technology crept into the practice, it was apparent we needed to find more ways to efficiently incorporate it into our daily routine.” The lack of space was hindering their growth and also making it difficult to update equipment and integrate new technology.

Several key irritations in the existing space were on the list to be remedied as they discussed the build.

“We had very cramped rooms that were not made for today’s technology,” commented Dr. Lamprecht. “It seemed like we had cords and cables hanging everywhere, which did not look professional. I wanted to keep everything out of the patients’ sight, if at all possible.”

The Henry Schein Equipment Sales Specialist took the doctor’s existing building plans to Henry Schein’s Integrated Design Studio, which helped devise some preliminary options. Those plans were then taken to a practice-design seminar taught by Dr. Mark Tholen, who convinced the doctor to take over the entire building for his practice instead of the smaller portion he had originally planned.

Reception Area Promotes Better Patient

Flow and Offers More Privacy The reception area is bathed in a palette of gray hues, with soft textures in the carpet squares and upholstered seating. A large bay window, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that line the front, keep the office bright. Dark brown wood complements the cool gray tones and adds depth to the soothing palette. A large-screen TV and beverage station pamper waiting patients.

“The workflow in our office is completely improved,” said Dr. Lamprecht. “The check-in station is more open and allows room for patients and wheelchair access. The traffic flow is much improved now with multiple entry points to the treatment area. The consultation room can be accessed from multiple points, which allows our front desk to utilize it for private conversations.”

A key pain point for the doctor was the shortage of treatment rooms and their small size. The new design included nine operatories that were larger and intentionally planned to keep extras like tubing and cords hidden, creating a crisper and more professional look. The faux hardwood floors are warm but can withstand a high volume of foot traffic.

The doctor’s existing office was still going strong with 30-year old A-dec chairs as he planned the remodel, so naturally, he was sold on their durability and reliability over time. He traveled to the company’s facility with Henry Schein and selected 511 series chairs in buttery soft beige leather, 500 series delivery units, LED lights, and the Inspire cabinetry line. The space was designed for maximum effectiveness, with features like hallway access to operatory cabinetry so rooms can be restocked with sterilized instruments even while patients are being treated.

Digital Scanner and On-Site Mill Deliver Same-Day Dentistry

From a technological standpoint, the doctor wanted the practice to be paperless and offer best-in-class treatment. A key aspect of ensuring that came true was his investment in same-day dentistry using the Planmeca PlanScan intraoral scanner and PlanMill 40.

“We strive to provide same-day dentistry to all of our patients,” stated Dr. Lamprecht. “Having the PlanScan allows us to perform same-day crowns. Our patients appreciate the convenience of not having to come back for a second appointment and having to take impressions, and they love helping to design their crown.”

The doctor leaned on his Henry Schein team, who he said expertly guided him to the best equipment for his goals, which meant he didn’t have to do that research himself.

“They gave me options and suggestions as to what would be best for my situation and were not pushy,” he said. “They made the process very easy.”

Inside the imaging alcove, Dr. Lamprecht stuck with Planmeca and chose the ProMax 3D cone beam for its superior imaging capabilities. For his intraoral X-rays, he purchased a NOMAD system and ACTEON sensors, all of which send data to his practice management software.

“I finally feel like we have a work environment that matches our attention to every detail,” the doctor noted. “I want to provide the best care for our patients utilizing the latest in technology and materials.” That commitment to providing excellence even extends to the sterilization room, for which he went the extra step of incorporating an instrument washer in addition to his autoclave, as part of a highly rigorous sterilization process.

Organized Layout, State-of-the-Art Technology Paying Off

This thoughtful planning process has paid off dramatically in several ways. Dr. Lamprecht said he has experienced a higher number of new patients coming in each month, more referrals from current patients who seem proud to claim the office as their own, and overall production that has increased by 10% over the previous year. An added benefit is the joy and positive morale the new office has infused in the doctor’s entire staff.

“Everyone has been very receptive to all of the changes and they have loved the new space. The staff loves having more space to get work done more efficiently. From the check-in process to completing treatment, through sterilization to checking out, all of it has been greatly streamlined.”

If he had to do anything differently, Dr. Lamprecht said that renovating an office while continuing to see patients was a stressful situation that he wouldn’t necessarily recommend to other doctors. What he does advise is finding a solid group of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who will partner with you through the building process, just as he did.

He noted, “We were and still are lucky to have a great team, which includes our Henry Schein representatives!” ♦

Originally published in Sidekick Magazine