Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 222)
Washington, D.C. 20402
November 2006
2. Laboratory, Oral Pathology (LEBM3).................................... 100 NSF (9.3 NSM)
Minimum NSF. Provide one if in Concept of Operations. Provide an additional 50
NSF for each Oral Pathology Dental Resident FTE position authorized.
3. Laboratory, Maxillo-Facial (DNPF1) .................................... 125 NSF (11.7 NSM)
Minimum NSF. Provide one if in Concept of Operations. Provide an additional 25
NSF for each Maxillo-Facial Dental Resident FTE position authorized.
4. Ceramics Room (DNPC1)......................................................... 75 NSF (7.0 NSM)
Provide one if in Concept of Operations.
6. PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A.
Net-to-department gross factor (NTDG) for Dental Service is 1.55. This number
when multiplied by the programmed net square foot (NSF) area, determines the
departmental gross square feet.
B. Locate Dental Service near the building main entrance to minimize length of travel for
patients and visitors.
C. The physical design of the suite must meet patient privacy and patient rights
requirements as well as employee safety and ergonomics standards.
D. For Dental Services with two (2) or more Oral Surgery Rooms, locate these rooms
adjacent to each other.
E. Corridors should be designed to a minimum of 8 feet clear width, to accommodate
passage of equipment or beds and two stretchers and/or wheelchairs. In non-patient
areas, corridors may be 6 feet in clear width.
F. It is assumed that Intra-oral X-Ray capability will be provided in the General
Treatment Operatories, and a dedicated X-Ray room will be provided only for
Panoramic / Cephalometric unit.
G. Shielding design for rooms containing dental radiographic equipment does not
necessarily require lead-lined walls. Normal building materials may be sufficient in
most cases. National Council for Radiation Protection (NCRP) requires that shielding
design be provided by a qualified expert for all new or remodeled dental facilities.
When a conventional building structure does not provide adequate shielding, the
shielding must be increased by providing a greater thickness of building materials or
by adding lead. Adequacy of shielding is determined by a radiation physicist through
calculations and checked by survey measurements. These determinations should be
made in the design phase.
H. The areas required for all dental diagnostic and treatment areas are based on a
minimum room depth of 11' - 6" (3.50 M).
I.
Provide staff break area convenient to staff work areas but separate from patient
area.
Dental Service (Chapter 222): Page 222-9 of 12
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