There are many reasons why it is important to future-proof your dental practice. Not only does this support growth and development of your services according to your business plan, but it also allows you to maximise on any investment placed back into the practice. When it comes to more significant investments like those required for capital equipment, furniture and cabinetry, it is also essential that you look after the assets in order to optimise their longevity. The technical support and service delivered by your chosen supplier is, therefore, integral from the very beginning.
On-going adaptation
There are a number of changes that could be needed within the dental practice, whether they are the result of new regulation or internal development. When looking to build a practice that will stand the test of time, it’s necessary to create an environment that can be adapted as the business grows and evolves.
This might look a little different for each business, but often involves clever design and modular equipment. It can also prove fruitful to purchase equipment for which optional extra features can be incorporated at a later date, which would accommodate the needs of different clinicians such as a new endodontic specialist or implant expert, for example.
In addition, a thought should be given to the strive towards best practice. For instance, if a dedicated decontamination room isn’t possible right now due to budget, then steps should be taken to earmark space for the move at a later date. All the appropriate wiring and plumping can be installed at the same time to avoid hassle and cost later on. Experts in the dental design field can provide advice and guidance tailored to your practice in order to help you make the very most of your space and growth potential.
Maximising equipment life
Once up and running, it is just as vital that your dental equipment is looked after in order to maximise its longevity and protect your investment. Leading suppliers will deliver comprehensive user training for all relevant members of your team upon installation, ensuring they know exactly how to operate the technologies. This training should also cover daily, weekly or monthly testing processes, as well as internal maintenance procedures that can be implemented to keep everything functioning optimally.
In addition to care from the practice team, technical maintenance and servicing by a dedicated engineer will further prolong product life for capital equipment. Finding a supplier who is not only capable of such a service, but who will remain proactive in optimising the efficiency of your equipment will be advantageous to every dental practice in both the short- and long-term.
Support beyond expectations
However, it is possible to find support that goes far beyond annual equipment servicing and standard repairs. Over time, you would expect to experience minor wear and tear on equipment, cabinetry or furniture. Organising small repairs or replacement parts can be unnecessarily difficult with the wrong supplier, especially if some time has passed since the original installation. Working with a team that understands your long-term needs will eliminate such issues.
In fact, accessibility to a support team will remain simple for years after the initial practice fit-out when you choose to work with the right supplier. This makes upgrading equipment or software, addressing minor problems and keeping the practice looking and functioning like it did when it was brand-new a breeze. It also increases the chance that you will be kept in the loop about new features that become available in order to improve your patient care, professional workflows or practice compliance with incoming regulations.
All this is well within the remit of RPA Dental, who truly understands the needs of a dental practice and how they change over time. Not only does the team consist of product experts, but there are also a number talented designers and specialist engineers who can help you design, install and maintain a stunning dental practice for many years to come. The entire RPA Dental team is renowned for going above and beyond the call of duty, offering an unparalleled standard of service and remaining by your side as your business grows.
A long-sighted approach
Dentistry is constantly changing and dental practices have to adapt in order to meet patient expectations and stay competitive within the industry. Whether you are designing a brand-new practice or refurbishing an existing business, it’s crucial to take a long-term approach that will facilitate the organic evolution of the practice.
For more detail about the solutions and services available from RPA Dental, please visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk, call 08000 933 975 or email info@rpadental.net
Adam Shaw Bio:
My name is Adam Shaw, and I am the sales Director here at RPA Dental ltd. Married to my wife Michelle and with two teenage boys, weekends are mostly taken up with their sporting activities and social diaries.
Having started life as an apprentice engineer with RPA Dental some 24 years ago, I have seen the Dental industry change and evolve considerably since first starting with the company.
At 16, working as an engineer I attended college one day a week and after a four-year period completed my qualification in electrical and mechanical engineering. From here I spent 5 years in the service department until gaining promotion to a senior status, responsible for managing the team, running my own installation projects and keeping quality levels to a high standard.
Coming from technical background allowed me to understand the equipment specifications and fundamental surgery requirements in its entirety and offered the base line on which to move over to my commercial role in 2011.
Our emphasis has always been on service and support to our clients, and this has continued with our holistic approach to designing surgeries and assisting in an optimum workflow with our valued customers.
My role within the business now is to offer our clients the help and support required on various levels dependant on their individual needs, whilst working with our manufacturing partners to ensure our portfolio brings a complete and extensive offering.
