Short answer: choose 4000 K for the general lighting in a dental treatment room and design the lighting for 500 lux. The waiting area and corridors need 300 lux. As a rule of thumb, a 20 m² treatment room needs around 5 Hexagon cells. An important caveat right away: general lighting does not replace a dental operating light or a shade-matching light source. Below, we go through the figures, colour temperature, glare and placement.
How much light does a dental treatment room need?
Lighting in a dental clinic is built from three layers, and it's worth keeping them separate:
- General lighting in the treatment room – 500 lux. This is the light produced by the Hexagon honeycomb array. It illuminates the room evenly so that instruments, supplies and patient records are easy to see.
- Waiting area, corridors and office spaces – 300 lux.
- Operating light, i.e. the dental operating light – a separate fixture. Illuminating the oral cavity requires its own operating light, with an illuminance typically in the tens of thousands of lux. No ceiling light replaces it.
One Hexagon cell produces around 2760 lumens and consumes 24 W. As a rule of thumb, you can use the table below:
| Room size | Cells | Total power | Total luminous flux |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 m² – small treatment room | 4 cells | 96 W | approx. 11,000 lm |
| 20 m² – treatment room | 5 cells | 120 W | approx. 13,800 lm |
| 30 m² – large treatment room or waiting area | 7 cells | 168 W | approx. 19,300 lm |
| 50 m² – reception lobby | 11 cells | 264 W | approx. 30,400 lm |
These figures are indicative. Room height and surface colours affect the result. Hexagon lights have a service life of 50,000 hours, so long clinic days don't mean constant maintenance.
What the Hexagon light is enough for – and what it isn't
Let's say this plainly, because it saves disappointment later. The colour rendering index of the Hexagon lights is Ra over 80. That's a good level for general lighting: the space looks natural, skin tones render correctly and the light doesn't tint the surroundings.
Tooth shade matching and selecting the shade of composite resin are, however, a different matter. For these, a separate light source is recommended, with a colour rendering of at least Ra 90 and a fixed colour temperature. So use the Hexagon honeycomb array as the room's general lighting and keep a dedicated device for shade matching. The same applies to the operating light: it's a separate fixture and cannot be replaced by a ceiling light.
4000 K or 6500 K for the treatment room?
4000 K is the best choice for the treatment room and waiting area. It's a neutral, daylight-like light in which skin tones look natural and which stays pleasant all day – including for the patient lying on their back looking up at the ceiling.
6500 K is cooler and pronouncedly bright. It suits a dental laboratory and technical workspace where maximum detail discrimination is needed. In a treatment room it can feel clinical and harsh.
| Space | Recommended colour temperature | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment room | 4000 K | Natural skin tones, pleasant for the patient throughout treatment |
| Waiting area and reception | 4000 K | Calm and bright, not hospital-like |
| Dental laboratory | 6500 K | Sharpest discrimination for fine detail |
| Space with varying use | 3-colour-temperature light (3000/4000/6500 K) | The light can be switched to suit the situation |
You'll find the options in our collections: Hexagon lights 4000 K, Hexagon lights 6500 K and three-colour-temperature Hexagon lights.
The patient looks up at the ceiling – remember glare
A dental clinic has one lighting problem that other spaces don't: the patient lies on their back and looks straight up at the ceiling for the entire treatment. A single bright point light source directly above the eyes is unpleasant.
In the Hexagon honeycomb array, light comes from a large surface and from six sides, so it isn't concentrated at a single point. Even so, it's worth doing the following:
- Position the honeycomb array above the treatment chair slightly off to the side, not directly above the patient's eyes.
- Choose a dimmable model, so you can lower the light during treatment and raise it for cleaning and preparation.
- Light-coloured surfaces even out contrast and reduce the sensation of glare.
Dimming
The treatment room needs different light levels: bright light for preparation and cleaning, lower light during treatment and for viewing X-rays. There are three options:
- Stepless dimming 0–100 % – the most precise control. Requires a driver and remote control.
- Step dimming 100/60/30 % – works from a standard light switch, three light levels without separate controls.
- Non-dimmable – the simplest solution for waiting areas and corridors.
You'll find the options in our dimmable Hexagon lights collection.
Cleanability and technical limits
The Hexagon light's housing is aluminium with a smooth surface, so it wipes clean easily. Its protection rating is IP20, meaning the fixture is intended for dry indoor spaces. It is therefore not suitable for locations exposed to direct splashing or pressure washing. Fixed installations and electrical connections are always subject to healthcare premises' own requirements, which an electrical designer verifies on a site-by-site basis.
Placement and installation
- Concentrate the cells above the treatment chair and work surface, where 500 lux is needed.
- Use fewer cells in the waiting area and corridors, where 300 lux is enough.
- Assemble and test the fixture on the floor before mounting it to the ceiling.
- Have suspension wires, ceiling anchors and corner connectors ready for installation.
- Always have a qualified electrician make the fixed electrical connection.
You can calculate the parts needed and the price with the Hexagon configurator.
Frequently asked questions
How many Hexagon cells do I need for a 20 m² treatment room?
As a rule of thumb, around 5 cells (120 W). A 15 m² room needs around 4 cells, and a 30 m² space around 7 cells.
Can a Hexagon light be used as a dental operating light?
No. Illuminating the oral cavity always requires a separate dental operating light. The Hexagon honeycomb array is the room's general lighting.
Is the colour rendering enough for tooth shade matching?
No. The colour rendering of the Hexagon lights is Ra over 80, which is enough for general lighting but not for shade matching. For that, a separate light source with a colour rendering of at least Ra 90 is recommended.
Does the light glare for the patient?
The light comes from a large surface rather than a single point, so it's noticeably more comfortable than a single bright ceiling light. Still, position the honeycomb array slightly off the patient's line of sight and choose a dimmable model.
Do you also deliver elsewhere in Europe?
Yes. We deliver across the EU, and our products come with a 24-month warranty and a 14-day right of return.
Let's plan the lighting together
Stylebox supplies lighting for dental clinics and other treatment facilities in Finland and elsewhere in Europe. See our ready-made sets in the Hexagon light sets collection, or send us your space's dimensions and we'll suggest a layout: get in touch.