Each surgery within a dental practice relies on several pieces of complex machinery to stay up and running, including air compressors, autoclaves and X-ray machines. A service engineer must be able to diagnose the cause of an equipment malfunction and repair the issue during their visit in order to minimize disruption to the practice. In addition, service engineers carry out preventative maintenance and equipment servicing in line with manufacturer and CQC guidelines, ensuring that professionals can continue to treat their patients with confidence.
The services a dental engineer offers are as varied as the types of equipment found within a dental practice. For this article we’ll group them into familiar categories as we outline which services are applicable to each.
Service engineers should be familiar with the different types of equipment used to clean, disinfect and sterilize dental instruments, including washer disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners and steam/vacuum autoclaves. Autoclaves in particular should be serviced annually and checked thoroughly for signs of wear. Since autoclaves deal with high temperatures and pressure, service engineers carry out pressure vessel inspections (PVIs) to ensure that there are is corrosion, leaks, or any damage or wear to the joints or door seals. These inspections should be carried out annually, and many engineers will do this alongside an autoclave service.
DTS Services’ qualified engineers carry out pressure vessel inspections to a high standard, providing clients with a service they can have full confidence in. Upon completion we provide certification of the inspection as well as a copy of the inspection report for your records.
DTS Services’ qualified engineers carry out radiological testing (also known as 3-yearly quality assurance inspection,) and annual electro-mechanical inspections on most types of dental X-ray unit including handheld, intra-oral and panoramic in accordance with the requirements of IRR17 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER17). We work closely with a local independent radiation protection adviser in order to provide practices with rapid certification of dental X-ray machines. Upon completion we provide a copy of the inspection report for the practices’ records.
In addition, our engineers are trained to conduct critical examinations, essential when installing or changing X-ray equipment. Engineers can carry out critical examinations as part of a new surgery build and fit-out, when supplying a new X-ray unit for use within a practice, or following any move or major maintenance procedure of an existing unit. If you are in any doubt as to whether you need a critical exam, get in touch – we will be happy to advise you.
• Dental Air Compressors
Dental air compressors are machines with moving parts and require regular servicing to function correctly. Compressors have an absolutely vital role in the running of a dental practice. They provide power to the drill turbines in handpieces, to 3-in-1 tools for drying preparation areas, for abrasion procedures, laser technology and teeth whitening procedures. Compressors and all their associated pipework must remain clean and free of corrosion or degradation to continue to provide clean and safe air throughout the practice.
Compressors need to be examined in accordance with the written scheme of examination. The maximum interval between inspections is 14 months, however we recommend that dental compressors undergo a pressure vessel inspection annually, at the same time as a service.
When serviced and maintained regularly, your equipment should provide years of reliable service. However, breakdowns do occasionally occur. We know how disruptive an equipment breakdown can be to a busy practice, and we will always endeavor to attend as quickly as possible when a critical piece of equipment goes down.
DTS Services’ engineers continually refresh their product knowledge and carry parts for all major brands of equipment so that they can resolve equipment malfunction in one visit. If you are experiencing issues with your autoclave call our team on or use the form below and we will do our best to assist you with phone support or if necessary an engineer visit.
Dental surgeries come in all shapes, sizes and configurations, which is why there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the installation of new equipment. A dental engineer must carefully assess the layout of a surgery, taking into account elements such as access points for the air/water system, size and orientation of the room with regard to doors and windows, and any regulations that may constrain the positioning of equipment such as X-ray units.
Additionally, dental engineers must be familiar with the varying brands and types of dental equipment in order to assemble and calibrate it properly. With new innovations in equipment coming available all the time, engineers must continually add to their knowledge to ensure that they can safely and efficiently install equipment – and must be competent at working with electricity, air and water under pressure, mechanical and plumbing systems.