From Dental Practice to Digital Experience

A Development Journey in Healthcare Gamification

The Project

Website: Click Here
Game: Click here

The Story Behind the Project

A dental practice wanted to improve their online presence. The initial request was simple: modernize the existing website. But we saw an opportunity to create something much more meaningful.

In our approach, there’s a crucial difference between mere task completion and true problem-solving. Modernizing a website is good, but what does “good” mean in this context? What’s the higher purpose that the website improvement serves?

We wanted to go beyond simple task execution and focus on real problem-solving. So we took a step back and examined the fundamental needs of the dental practice. We considered the entire patient journey and user experience – both online and in-person.

Because ultimately, what matters to patients and practitioners is what we actually experience and do.

The Path to the Problem

Analysis

The practice had no shortage of patients, but there was a gap in communicating their modern treatment capabilities. A larger challenge was attracting young, motivated staff.

Despite overwhelmingly positive verbal patient feedback, Google reviews painted a different picture – a classic case of negative self-selection in online reviews.

The typical representation of dental practices is clean, chrome-shiny, and highly polished – but it lacks the human touch. This insight was confirmed by initial user testing: a treatment chair doesn’t spark joy, no matter how modern it might be.

The Challenge

• Address traditional dental anxiety
• Implement modern technology in a conservative environment
• Build trust before the first visit
• Differentiate in the dental market

Concept Phase & Design

Early in the concept phase, we knew we wanted to put the human aspect front and center. This meant showcasing the team’s faces and the practice’s warm, inviting ambiance. At the same time, typical “anxiety triggers” of a dental practice, like medical instruments, would remain subtle in the background.

The entire website was redesigned with these factors in mind. The focus was on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that builds trust and reduces anxiety.

For improving online reviews, we developed a thoughtful strategy: an elegantly designed business card with a QR code and clear call-to-action makes it especially easy for satisfied regular patients to share their positive experiences.

In intensive discussions with the practice team, a special aspect emerged: The practice had an exceptionally warm and inviting atmosphere that was difficult to convey through traditional digital media. This realization led to the birth of a special idea – instead of a conventional 360-degree tour, we decided on a virtual tour in the form of a charming pixel game. This innovative solution would not only serve as a modern unique selling point but also authentically convey the practice’s friendly and positive atmosphere.

Design Decisions

• Pixel Art Style chosen because:
  • Warm and inviting
  • Less “medical” appearance
  • Nostalgic yet modern
  • Technically efficient to implement

Technical Implementation

WordPress Integration

The technical integration was achieved through a custom WordPress plugin that seamlessly embeds the virtual tour into the website:

• Simple integration through WordPress shortcodes:[dental_game width="100%" height="auto"]
• Modular code with ES6+ standards
• Responsive design for all screen sizes
• Intelligent asset management for optimal performance
• Flexible configuration options

Game Architecture

• Engine Development:
  • Canvas-based rendering
  • Modular JavaScript structure
  • Asset preloading system
  • State management

Performance Optimization

• Efficient asset loading
• Mobile-first approach
• Optimized memory usage
• Progressive loading strategies

The Virtual Practice Takes Shape

Asset Development

Ben and Pati transformed every corner of the practice into lovingly crafted pixel art:

• Detailed reproduction of the facility
• Character and object animations
• Development of a consistent visual style
• Integration of interactive elements

Technical Features

• Interactive Elements:
  • Clickable objects with information
  • Character dialogues
  • Dental health mini-games
  • Simple animations
  • Easter eggs as surprise elements

User Experience

• Intuitive navigation
• Barrier-free access
• Responsive design
• Progressive web app functionality

Team and Collaboration

Role Distribution

• Jonas: Software Development
• Jamie: UI/UX Design
• Joel: Game Design
• Ben: Art Planning & Pixel Art
• Pati: Pixel Art & Assets

Development Process

• Agile methodology
• Weekly iterations
• Close collaboration with the practice
• Continuous feedback

Technical Depth

WordPress Plugin Architecture

• Modular structure
• Efficient asset management
• Responsive integration
• Performance optimization

Game Engine

• Canvas rendering
• State management
• Event system
• Collision detection

Post Mortem

Learnings

• Balance between entertainment and information
• Technical optimization for various devices
• Importance of user experience in medical context
• Simple gamification (achievements) is incredibly effective

What Would We Do Differently Next Time?

• Comprehensive asset pipeline planning (naming conventions, file formats, templates)
• Implement more simple gamification much earlier
• Prevent content creep by clearly defining how much detail is enough in the concept phase

Outlook and Future

Vision

Our project demonstrates that even in traditional industries like dentistry, innovative digital solutions are possible. The combination of technical expertise and creative design has produced not just a website, but a digital experience that helps patients reduce their anxiety and build trust.

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Developed by PlayInsight Studios. Visit the website and experience the virtual tour yourself!