Illume — 'Your brighter path to dental care' in Cheltenham & Gloucestershire

We are pleased to say that the extensive refurbishment work we have been carrying out is nearing its end.

We admit that it has been disruptive and trying for clients and our team alike but Aspects Building Contractors have worked hard to complete much of the dirty and dusty work outside normal hours and, as an extra bonus, we are somewhat ahead of schedule.

The newly refitted Client Bathroom is complete and, with compliance in mind, more disabled friendly than before with a wider door, a little more space for manouevre and a lower sink more accessible to wheelchairs – although a little bit more of a stretch for taller folks!

We also have a new state of the art, efficient hand drier. How many times have you walked away from a hand drier with your hands still dripping because the drier simply doesn’t work? The powerful airflow of our ‘Biodrier’ dries hands in a fraction of the time, and using a fraction of the electricity, taken by conventional units. This way we can effectively and hygienically do away with large numbers of paper towels – so, clean dry hands and less waste – all a little more eco-friendly!

PHOTO OF BATHROOM

PHOTO OF BIO-DRIER IN USE

Although it has not been the greatest summer so far we have still seen some fairly high temperatures this year and many of you will know from experience that our flat roof building tends to make the practice into something of an oven. It is not unusual to see temperatures of up to 30 degrees C on some days – even with all the windows open and fans running. Distinctly uncomfortable to provide and receive dentistry.

As part of the refurbishment we needed to address this problem and the new air conditioning units have been installed, tested and are working well. We are looking forward to cooler, more comfortable working conditions for you and for us. In addition, the new Reception area also benefits helping to create a pleasant and relaxing space in which to wait.

The modern LG units also have the capability of heating the practice in the colder months so giving us much more control of our temperature and air circulation than ever before.

And the additional feature of air filtration will help to remove dust particles and microbes from the air so it is cleaner too.

Artcool

Mirror unit

External Inverters

This is a not an unreasonable question that a small number of clients have asked and it is true that we did consider whether we could close during the refurbishment. We know that a small number of clients have felt inconvenienced by the temporary waiting area in particular and we apologise for this.

On balance, however, we decided that it was more important to stay open for business so that we are available for our clients and to be able to provide ‘normal service’ as far as possible. Because the exact start date was not confirmed by our contractors until relatively recently we wanted to minimize any wholesale rescheduling of clients at short notice – something that we always try hard to avoid.

In addition, much of the more disruptive element of the work has been carried out ‘behind closed doors’ during weekends and evenings.

While we wait for the delivery of our new Reception Desk and furniture we still have a further two weeks or so before we can begin to use the new waiting area and so have to use our temporary facility for a little while longer yet.

So if we could just ask for your patience for a little while longer it will all be worth it and we look forward to showing you our new state of the art practice.

A couple of coats of paint and looking altogether more "illuminated'!

Our refurbishment continues to take shape rapidly.

We are now well advanced with the most difficult part and have had a couple of weeks of having to ask our clients to wait in rather cramped and unsatisfactory conditions in the corridor while we continue to use our temporary Reception desk.

All the electrics, plastering and now most of the painting is complete in the new Office, Reception area and waiting area and today our contractors began the laying of new flooring starting in the new xray room. This will continue into the newly tiled client toilet facility awaiting completion of this by the end of this week.

Tomorrow the xray machine will be moved into its new location and later this week the air conditioning will be completed - and not a moment too soon given recent temperatures – it will mean an end to years of overheated summer surgeries when it is not unusual to be working in temperatures of up to 30 degrees C!

Well it had to happen I suppose. Aspects with us again over the weekend dismantling the old Reception area and Client Bathroom and a drill went through the mains water pipe leaving us with no water and dust everywhere.

Some emergency plumbing required early on Monday morning and an early start to prepare for a ‘normal’ day in the Treatment Rooms.

The Reception waiting area and Client Bathroom are now out of action for two to three weeks whilst the new ceilings go in, along with replastering, new lighting, air conditioning and refurbishment of the Client Bathroom facility to make it disabled compliant.

We now have our waiting chairs temporarily in the new Xray room and down the corridor and we will have a temporary toilet facility. With the inevitable noise of drills, routers etc it all makes for not the easiest working environment and the team and clients alike have all coped really well.

‘Our temporary waiting area – a little like a train carriage at the moment!’

‘Reception Waiting Area taking on its new look’