6/19/08

Orthodontist's office now as beautiful as his patients' smiles

by Beckye Randall

For four months earlier this year, Dr. Jason Bourne’s orthodontics office in Marysville was closed. Normally Dr. Bourne spends two days a week seeing patients at his Marysville location, 815 State Avenue Suite 3, and two days in Lake Stevens.

According to his patients and staff, the inconvenience was worth it.

While the office was not in use, an architectural design team oversaw a complete renovation of the Bourne Orthodontic Marysville office. In addition to doubling the space by tearing out a dividing wall, the entire office was updated with a modern, professional look.

“It’s so beautiful now,” said Stacy Braithwaite, Dr. Bourne’s scheduling coordinator. “The reception area is comfortable and calming, and our work space is much more efficient.”

The main waiting lounge features a separate play area for young children with electronic games. For Bourne’s typical patients, those 12 to 15 years old, he’s installed a 4-sided video game console in the teeth brushing station.

“When kids come in for their visits, they sign in electronically on the computer out front,” explained Bourne. “Then they can come back here to brush their teeth and play games while they wait for their appointment.”

The treatment area is spacious and bright with no high walls between stations. Because there’s no pain associated with orthodontic care, privacy is less an issue than in a typical dental office.

“Kids get to know each other, and so do the moms,” Bourne explained. “By keeping this area open, they can visit with one another and be more comfortable.”

Updating the Marysville office has been in the plans since Dr. Bourne bought the practice. The Lake Stevens facility moved to a new location with a complete buildout, and it turned out so well that Bourne hired the same design team to tackle the State Avenue office.

Bourne Orthodontics has eliminated most of its paper and chemical inventory as well. The entire office is digital, with patients’ charts updated on computers for easy access from either office. Even X-rays and mouth impressions are maintained digitally, in 3-D images that allow a full view of patients’ changing dental structures.

“Going digital is much better for the environment,” said Dr. Bourne. “The chemicals needed for developing X-rays are very toxic, and we don’t waste all that paper for charts and records anymore either.”

The practice of orthodontics has also evolved in other areas. Brackets for braces are now a “self-ligating” style that moves with less friction and less pressure on teeth. With digital modeling, the orthodontic specialists can place brackets using precise measurements and install them as a unit in much less time.

Although the majority of Dr. Bourne’s patients are in the 12- to 15-year-old age bracket, nearly one quarter of orthodontic patients nationwide are adults. He also advises an initial orthodontic exam at age 7 or 8 to detect major problems and begin treatment early.

Dr. Jason Bourne has been in practice for five years and has built a loyal following at both the Marysville and Lake Stevens locations. His Halloween candy buy-back program is a popular event in both communities, and he supports the efforts of many non-profit and civic organizations.

“Marysville is just a great community,” said Bourne. “It’s an honor to be a part of what goes on around here.”