Opening a dental squat practice is more than just setting up a clinic; it’s about building a solid foundation for long-term success.
And the journey to success begins long before the first patient walks through the door.
The preconstruction phase is critical—it sets the foundation for everything that follows. This stage isn’t just about drawings and budgets; it’s about aligning your vision with practical realities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and planning for smooth delivery of equipment and services. A well-structured preconstruction plan helps avoid costly delays, ensures safety standards are met, and keeps your project on track from day one.
At Excel Building Contractors we help aspiring practice owners reach that ultimate goal of running a successful practice.
We’ve pulled together some of our experience into this practical guide to help you navigate the process, focussing primarily on the importance of the pre-construction phase.
1. Prepare a Construction Programme
A clear construction programme is your roadmap. It should outline key milestones such as:
- Site preparation and initial works
- Installation of utilities
- Fit-out stages
- Final inspections and handover
Having a timeline keeps everyone aligned and helps avoid costly delays.
2. Health & Safety and CDM Compliance
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), you must ensure health and safety standards are met throughout the project. This includes:
- Appointing a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
- Maintaining risk assessments and method statements
- Regular site safety checks
Compliance isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s about protecting your team and future patients.
All this may sound like a bit of a headache, but help is at hand. It’s what we do day in, day out to ensure all the dental practice projects we’re involved with, whether they’re new build, extension or refurbishments, are compliant from the start.
3. Schedule Delivery of Large Plant and Dental Equipment
Plan ahead for the delivery and installation of essential equipment like suction units, compressors, and dental chairs. These items often have long lead times, so coordinate with suppliers early to avoid bottlenecks.
This is a really exciting part of your project; seeing all the fabulous new equipment you’ve invested in arrive on site. But it needs to be carefully co-ordinated. Our project managers have a huge amount of experience of liaising with suppliers to ensure everything arrives in the correct order for a seamless installation phase.
4. Final Design Sign-Off
Before construction progresses too far, confirm the final design with your contractor and architect. This ensures:
- Layouts meet workflow and infection control standards
- Space is optimised for patient comfort and staff efficiency
5. Building Control and Structural Input
Secure building control approval and involve a structural engineer if needed—especially for load-bearing changes or specialist installations. This step guarantees your premises meet UK building regulations.
6. RPA Review for X-Ray Compliance
Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) sign-off is essential for any x-ray equipment. They’ll review your design to ensure compliance with IRR17 regulations, safeguarding both staff and patients.
7. Confirm Insurance Cover
Before opening, check that your insurance covers:
- Public liability
- Professional indemnity
- Equipment and premises
This provides peace of mind and financial protection from day one.
In summary, launching a dental squat practice is a rewarding challenge, but the preconstruction planning phase is where you set the tone for everything—ensuring timelines, compliance, and design decisions are locked in early. By investing time upfront and following these key steps, you’ll create a safe, compliant, and efficient practice that’s ready to welcome patients with confidence.
If you’d like expert advice or support with any stage of the process, please get in touch for a no obligation chat on 020 8820 0853 or email sales@excel-ltd.co.uk