The Important Role of Humor and Whimsy!

​Contemporary Interior Design has grown bolder and more creative in the use of humor and fun when designing Interior clinical space for the very young.   Dental and Medical Interior environments must be sensitive to the anxieties of youngsters – as well as to their wonderful abilities for imagination, whimsy and comedy!
 
Today, when confronted with the very enjoyable challenge of designing Interior medical or dental environments with kids in mind, Interior design teams are less confined by the somber, traditional approaches to clinical Interior space of past decades.  That severe, stark, no-nonsense approach was often self-defeating when it came to management of apprehensive or frightened children anticipating medical or dental discomfort.  The necessary instrumentation alone, presented on trays within their sight, could be enough to make young patient management difficult – or even impossible.

Everything improves when anxious children find themselves in a magical – though clinical – environment!

​To the appreciative delight of parents, it is now possible to approach a child’s medical or dental needs from the standpoint of a team effort to make the experience fun instead of frantic and difficult.   On the frontline of such an achievement, of course, is the medical or dental professional with foresight and imagination!  Deciding to create an Interior space that children would look forward to (instead of dread!) is a giant step ahead for successful experiences with kids.
 
Many factors have come into play in order to facilitate the application of “fun” to serious Interior clinical facilities.  The free use of adventurous color work, the services of master muralists and knowledge of contemporary children’s heroes and characters go far towards the right mix.   It is important to understand the challenges medical and dental staffs are confronted with as they accomplish juvenile patients’ needs.
 
Pediatric medical and dental Interior environments must first serve clinical functionality.  Building an Interior environment that fully serves the precise and professional mandates of MD’s and DDS’s -- as well as the emotional and psychological considerations for youngsters – deserves the skill of professional Interior design teams familiar with and experienced in that complex challenge.
 
It has been illustrated by the experts in appropriate other fields of study and examination, that children who enter a child-friendly Interior become intrigued and distracted by images and elements with which they can immediately relate.  Moving a child from anxiety to relaxed engagement is not only good to observe, but also satisfying to facilitate through sensitive, informed Interior design.
 
It is tempting to simply go the traditional route of a neutral, simple, beige approach for Interior presentation -- with primary focus on the technical service, and just “adequate” amenities for reception and waiting.   However, forward-thinking and innovative professionals involved in pediatric care are approaching their Interiors with much broader considerations.
 
When planning new or revised Interiors for their practices, they are more pointedly addressing the importance of the mental and emotional condition of their young patients.  In so doing, they are also experiencing added appreciation from parents, caretakers and their own professional assistance staff.
 
It can mean the difference between a stressed, anxious and uncooperative small person, and a smiling child having fun with contemporary games in a colorful environment to which they can easily relate!