Piotr Woźniak, Technical Lead, and Jamie Brothers, Operations Director at Bristol CADCAM, an ALS Dental company, discuss the process of becoming a BioHorizons and Camlog Qualified Manufacturing Partner, the high standards they hold themselves to, and the benefits that this affords clinicians and their patients. Piotr begins by describing the way in which their relationship with BioHorizons and Camlog has evolved over the years:
ALS Dental has had a relationship with BioHorizons and Camlog for 15 years. With plenty of clinicians using their dental implant systems, we have been familiar with their solutions for a very long time. A couple of years ago, we were approached by the BioHorizons and Camlog team who liked the dedicated milling centre model used in European countries like Germany. Brexit had led to manufacturing delays, which meant that BioHorizons and Camlog were looking to set up a similar model here in the UK. We provided the team with sample test cases for their review, to ensure the work we produce met their high standards. This was helpful for us, as it allowed us to understand the quality that they expect, and that their customers and, in turn, patients expect too. Following this assessment and approvals process, we became a Qualified Manufacturing Partner for premium abutments, and confidence in our services has grown ever since.
Piotr continues by describing how the Qualified Manufacturing Partner concept aligns with the ALS Dental ethos:
Our aim is to provide the best possible product that we can for the patients who receive them. This is the single most valuable thing for us. To help ensure this, the BioHorizons and Camlog team has developed a highly controlled workflow for the benefit of patients. Utilising a genuine component when providing dental implants is a big part of this – the products we provide are measured up to a certain standard and never fall below. A clinician decides to utilise BioHorizons and Camlog for their high-quality products and hassle-free workflow, and this ethos is exactly in line with the aims of ALS Dental. From our perspective, the workflow is brilliant and the products and services we provide are up to spec. It’s the best of both worlds!
Jamie discusses the process further:
The process of becoming a Qualified Manufacturing Partner was straightforward. We simply had to prove the quality that we are able to deliver. We were found to provide high standards that the BioHorizons and Camlog team were very happy with. This was not an onerous task for us, as we already hold ourselves to a high standard.
Piotr added:
The process also offered us the reassurance that we are manufacturing up against high standards. Additionally, it helped us to identify and make improvements wherever possible – encouraging us to elevate our own workflows!
This tells us that being a Qualified Manufacturing Partner can have an impact beyond the products that a laboratory creates. Jamie describes what it means to the ALS Dental team, and their customers:
Being a Qualified Manufacturing Partner is a big stamp of quality approval. Our customers and BioHorizons and Camlog clinicians have confidence that we can deliver very high-quality dental solutions. This, therefore, reassures them that they are placing premium dental implants and components into their patients’ mouths.
Piotr finished by reflecting this sentiment, adding:
ALS Dental began as a third-party provider and still is to an extent. As such, when we are approached by BioHorizons and Camlog users who ask us how our components compare to the original products we can answer with complete confidence. Being a Qualified Manufacturing Partner means that we have already justified the quality that we offer – we can stand by this qualification with pride.
For product information and digital workflows from BioHorizons and Camlog, please visit https://theimplanthub.com/digitalroadmap/
Author Bios
Piotr Woźniak:
Piotr Woźniak is an experienced dental laboratory CAD/CAM manager with a specialisation in metal and implant milling. As Technical Lead at Bristol CADCAM – one of the UK’s leading dental milling centres – Piotr uses his experience to drive milling services.
Jamie Brothers:
Jamie Brothers began his journey with Bristol CADCAM (now an ALS Dental company) in 2004 as part of the founding team. As Operations Director, his focus has been integrating Bristol’s advanced manufacturing processes with ALS’s global standards – for enhanced operational efficiency, quality control, and client satisfaction.
