The operatory is where the real work gets done in a dental practice. It is in these treatment rooms that dentists, hygienists and assistants put their training to use to provide everything from routine care to complex surgical procedures. Equipping an operatory with the technologies, instruments and systems required to provide the variety of services offered in a practice is a task that requires careful consideration. However, once you know what will be done in a particular operatory, it is not too difficult to decide on the types of equipment that are needed.
What Types of Equipment Do I Need in My Operatories?
The first consideration when setting up the equipment in an operatory should be the services that operatory will be used for. Some practices set up all the operatories with identical equipment allowing them to be interchangeable. However, in many cases it makes more sense to create task focused operatories to avoid investing in duplicates of equipment that is infrequently used. A practice might have one or two rooms dedicated to hygiene patients with general use equipment for cleanings, whitening and imaging, and then a restorative operatory featuring impression, treatment and finishing equipment used to complete more complex cases.
The dental equipment commonly found in hygiene and general use operatories include:
If you are setting up a restorative or surgical operatory, or a single operatory to handle everything you do, the equipment you will want to consider might include:
What Do I Need to Consider When Purchasing Operatory Equipment?
Deciding on the best equipment for your operatory begins with a look at your dental practice. Evaluate the services you provide, and determine what types of equipment will help provide those services efficiently and effectively. Once you know the types of equipment you will need, you need to know where it will go. Have a plan for each operatory you are equipping and make a list of what is needed. When it comes time to evaluate your specific options you will want to consider compatibility between any new equipment and your existing equipment, as well as the physical space requirements to install and use the equipment in the operatory. Even something that is small enough to fit on top of a counter requires you to have that countertop space available.
Other considerations for dental operatory equipment are similar to considerations for just about anything you add to your practice. Make sure the equipment can handle the task, is durable enough to stand up to the use you intend for it, and is easy and comfortable for you and your team to operate. Make sure to inquire about warranties and service plans as well. There are many options, but when you find the equipment that best fits in your operatory, your practice will be ready to operate at maximum efficiency.
Search and Compare Dental Operatory Equipment