How one Florida doctor aced the challenge of creating a solo practice that harmonizes perfectly with her neighborhood’s upscale yet laid-back vibe.

WHEN WE LAST caught up with Dr. Mariel Petruk in the fall of 2020, she was approaching the final sta­ges of construction for her first practice, Tarpon River Dental, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At the same time, she was also navigating the business challenges of the pandemic while herself battling a mild case of Covid-19. Somehow, she radiated positivity as she recounted crafting her practice’s visual identity and logo with help from Benco Dental’s Build Your Brand team.

Fast-forward a year to today, and we see how Dr. Petruk’s sharp insights, combined with firsthand experience as a Sunshine State native and Fort Lauderdale resident, resulted in a perfect fit for the hip, trendy Tarpon River enclave, not far from the Atlantic Ocean. “I wanted the office to feel like it really belonged in the neighborhood,” she says. “I thought that a beachy, down-to-earth, bright and light style would feel comfortable for patients as well as the staff.” Tarpon River Dental manages to feel upscale without the slightest hint of stuffiness or pretension. By the same token, it’s obviously clinically focused but avoids being cold. The cherry on top: The facility is perfectly scaled for the surroundings and spot-on in its attitude.

 

Florida feel: The practice’s low-key exterior; a coral accent wall plays off the lush wood floor.

“Branding is such an important part of the design process,” says designer Taylor Haight, who oversaw the project. “With Tarpon River Dental, we were able to carry the colors and patterns in the logo throughout the office’s finishes for a cohesive feel.” When Dr. Petruk takes it all in, she describes the feeling as “finally practicing in my own element.”

Bringing outside in: Brightly hued greenery on both sides of the reception area and operatories

I wanted the office to feel like it really belonged in the neighborhood. I thought that a beachy, downto-earth, bright and light style would feel comfortable for patients as well as the staff.”

Calming influence: A cool minimalism reigns throughout the 1,600-square-foot practice.