About

Dr. Mark Tholen

Dr. Mark Tholen has over 30 years of experience in dentistry, including clinical practice and obtaining an MBA from the University of Texas. He is a former CEO of a premier dental office design firm that created over 3,000 offices in various locations worldwide. Dr. Tholen is also a published author of three dental textbooks and has given lectures worldwide. He currently serves as the principal instructor of “Inspiring Success”, a dental office design seminar sponsored by A-dec of Newberg, Oregon.

Interested in consulting with Dr. Tholen? Reach out today.

Partnership Program

Choosing the appropriate equipment for a dental office is essential for the practice’s success. The vendors dentists collaborate with can significantly impact the outcome of a project. Our partnership program offers equipment manufacturers the resources and materials needed to become valuable allies for your clients as they plan for their future. Would you like to discover more? Get in touch with us today.

Dental Design Philosophy

When we embark on designing a general office, we are driven by very specific objectives to ensure the utmost success of your dental practice. Our primary goal is to create a timeless appearance, allowing your office to maintain a fresh look for at least 20 years, considering the average doctor occupies an office for 18 years before moving or retiring. Additionally, we focus on designing a floor plan that maximizes production while minimizing team stress. This is achieved through our unique dental office design principles, developed by our architectural team over many years of observing the movement of dental team members within the office.

Efficient operatory design is another crucial aspect we emphasize. We aim to minimize repetitive movement during patient treatment by analyzing every action both the doctor and assistant make in the operatory, such as adjusting the operating light, reaching for a handpiece, or looking in and out of the oral cavity. Our designs effectively guide treatment team movement to significantly reduce repetitive motion. Finally, we make it a priority to create a high-trust, low-fear environment. Gaining patients’ trust is essential for them to accept proposed treatment plans and care, and we understand that anxious patients are less inclined to make purchases. Trust our expertise to build the dental office of your dreams, optimizing efficiency and promoting a patient-friendly atmosphere.

Reinvent Your Practice

Intentionally designing your dental office to support you, your staff and your patients distinguishes it from the competition and lays the foundation for long-term success. We’ve designed thousands of offices, winning ADA Design awards over and over for a reason. You have a vision for the future of your practice. THE Dental Office Design helps you make it a reality.

FAQ's

How long will it take to build my office?

Longer than you think! Today, obtaining a building permit can take months. Also, securing building materials can take longer than expected. Plan on one year to complete a lease space and 1.5 years to complete a freestanding building.
Where should I locate my new office?

If you’re in a suburban or rural environment, you can move your office location up to 7 miles without losing patients. Dense urban environments are more restrictive with only a 2 to 3-mile relocation radius. Start-up practices should locate near grocery stores, pediatric practices, or OB/GYN practices… in other words, anywhere women congregate. They are the primary healthcare deciders.
How much will my project cost?

When assessing your new office project’s financial viability, that is the wrong question to ask. You are not purchasing a house. You are creating a capital asset that should have a significant return on investment. So, you should ask two important questions: 1. What is the expected return on my investment? 2. What financial risk am I undertaking with this office project?