Project Overview

Designed and coordinated electrical systems for a dental clinic expansion within SCHC’s primary Grants Pass location. The project supported SCHC’s mission to consolidate dental services into a centralized location, increase patient throughput, and improve clinical care delivery. The facility required reliable infrastructure upgrades for dental equipment, enhanced lighting, and expanded low-voltage systems to support the growth of integrated services.

Role & Responsibilities

Power Distribution & Equipment Support – Designed new panelboards and branch circuiting for dental operatories, sterilization rooms, and radiology equipment.

Lighting Systems – Specified energy-efficient lighting throughout clinical and support spaces, including task lighting for dental work zones.

Low Voltage & Data Infrastructure – Coordinated pathways and cabling layouts for voice/data systems and integrated scheduling platforms.

Coordination with Clinical Equipment – Worked closely with the dental equipment vendor to ensure appropriate electrical loads, outlet locations, and utility clearances.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Maintaining Operations During Construction – Expanding the dental clinic within an active healthcare facility posed risks to patient care, staff workflows, and system uptime.
✔ Solution: Implemented design carefully considering the sequenced power cutovers, after-hours coordination windows, and detailed communication protocols with SCHC staff that would need to take place to prevent service disruption and maintain patient safety throughout construction.

🔹 Specialized Dental Equipment Coordination – The clinic expansion included integrating chair-mounted tools, autoclaves, imaging systems, and vacuum pumps—all with unique power and placement requirements.
✔ Solution: Collaborated closely with dental equipment vendors and installers to pre-validate loads, verify outlet locations, and streamline installation timing within active clinical workflows.

🔹 Dental Equipment Electrical Loads – High-precision equipment required clean, reliable power and specific connection points.
✔ Solution: Collaborated with vendors and installers to verify load characteristics, install dedicated circuits, and design serviceable access for long-term maintainability.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Successfully expanded SCHC’s Grants Pass facility to house all dental operations under one roof, streamlining care and improving access.
✅ Delivered clean, efficient electrical designs aligned with standards adopted by SCHC in their broader clinic strategy.
✅ Contributed to SCHC’s ongoing growth as a major nonprofit provider of dental and medical services in Southern Oregon.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Need a dependable electrical partner for your next dental or healthcare renovation? Let’s talk about how NLS Engineering can help you deliver it with confidence.

Siskiyou Community Health Center – Dental Clinic Expansion (Grants Pass, OR)