4 Reasons Why Equipment Maintenance Is Essential to Your Dental Practice
In your dental practice, your instruments are essential to your business and the health of your patients. Therefore, you must keep them in good repair and replace them when necessary. There are many reasons it is important to take proper care of your dental equipment.
1. Longevity
Instruments and tools can be repaired, but it is important not to neglect or put off these repairs. Delaying a simple fix, such as replacing a dental handpiece back cap, can lead to more expensive problems. Improper storage and cleaning can also shorten the lifespan of your equipment. Prevent damage by using the appropriate products and methods when cleaning instruments.
2. Effectiveness
Shabby tools do a subpar job, which can have serious consequences for your patients and your practice. Less effective tools mean longer procedures and increased frustration for you, your staff and your patients. It is important to sharpen, repair or replace dull and damaged instruments as soon as possible so you can keep your practice running efficiently and provide quality care.
3. Patient Comfort
Dental instruments are designed for sensitivity and precision. When they are dull or broken, you or your hygenist must use more force when working with the instruments. This is uncomfortable for the patient, and it may even result in an injury.
4. Practitioner Comfort
Working with poor-quality tools is uncomfortable and potentially hazardous for you and your staff. The additional pressure required when working with dull instruments can lead to pain, muscle strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. This, in turn, leads to increased absences and workers’ compensation claims. Keeping your instruments in good repair is an important workplace safety practice.
To provide the best care for your patients, you must have the best instruments. Instrument care, repair and replacement are essential tasks for your dental practice that must not be neglected.