Patients respond to a harmonious environment. Applying the principles of Feng Shui can help any practice improve business and increase prosperity.
by Jane Jung, Feng Shui consultant
How can Feng Shui (pronounced, "fung zhway") help create an atmosphere comfortable enough for patients to return regularly? Feng Shui creates balance and harmony between you and your environment. The energy, called Qi, flows like a gentle wind or a pure mountain stream into your environment. The healthy and positive energy calms your client's minds, ensuring visits will be pleasant. Dental employees benefit from a relaxed clientele and pleasant work environment.
However, if the Qi is blocked or hindered, the business stagnates. If patients are anxious, employees become exhausted and lose their patience. How do you maintain the flow of Qi into your environment, freely and abundantly, at all times?
The practical application of Feng Shui is especially important in the dental environment; it is a great example of how to use fresh and vital Qi. Many patients bring anxiety, negative energy, and fear into the dental office. The dentist will improve his/her business and attract more patients by understanding the need to reassure and calm them.
As you enter the office, the receptionist is the first person to greet you. The reception area should be warm and welcoming to the clients. The principles of Feng Shui recommend using a warm interior color scheme. A vase of fresh flowers and living plants imparts fresh and vital energy to the room. After a warm reception, the patient can relax in the waiting room.
The waiting room is especially important in calming the anxious patient. Perform a daily search and remove any out-of-date magazines, trash, and clutter. Waiting rooms benefit from green and blue pastel colors with patterns, which have been shown to have a relaxing effect. Decorate the walls with natural scenes. A fish tank can be a useful accent because the motion of swimming fish has a calming and vital effect.
The negative emotion of fear is linked with the kidneys, which weakens them. In contrast, water is considered the element of the kidneys and will strengthen them while calming fears. For this reason, fountains are effective in creating a relaxed atmosphere and thus relaxed patients. Various fragrances also provide a calming effect. Lightly scenting the office with lavender, jasmine, and mint will calm and sooth.
According to the theories of Chinese medicine, an energy link exists between the kidneys and the ears. Relaxing music can therefore alleviate fear in some patients. Soft music, classical or light jazz, works on the ears the same way water influences the kidneys.
In the treatment room, anxiety peaks as patients are prepared for procedures. The goal in treatment room décor is to provide some form of sensory distraction to draw attention away from the unpleasant sounds and procedures. To help relieve anxiety, choose patterned blues and greens in treatment rooms. Today, dental scrubs are colored and patterned, which is more effective than white for eliminating negative feelings. Water sounds or calming music are the best choices for background music. Stereo headphones for the patients provide a calming distraction; they also allow for personal selection.
Stimulating detailed images on the ceiling can also effectively distract the patient. One dentist had a poster on the ceiling; it depicted a view of the treetops in a magnificent forest. The details fascinated and distracted me from the procedure.
Another dentist had headphones with an excellent stereo playing my favorite CD. Outside of the treatment room, large sliding glass doors allowed a view of spring squirrels frolicking. I was enchanted and completely forgot the treatment.
Many people think that Feng Shui magically brings prosperity. But it brings so much more! Professionals must develop sensitivity to their patients needs. The dental team that invests this kind of attention and sensitivity to their patient's needs will be prosperous. Feng Shui principles are based on systematic and scientific observation of human behavior in the natural world. Applying these principles will improve your business and bring prosperity.
Jane Jung, a classical Feng Shui consultant and educator in Tucson Ariz.received training from a Master of Feng Shui from Hong Kong, the American Institute, and her Chinese grandfather. In addition to her local classes, she provides consultations for commercial use that improve the impression and emotional effect your office has on your clients. Contact her at (520) 696-3131, or via email at [email protected].
