By: A-dec
This topic originally appeared on A-dec.com. They granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers.
When it comes to choosing dental equipment, Dental Service Organizations and dental schools have a lot in common. Just like a DSO, a dental school has a budget to consider, a clear procurement process, and a focus on getting the best return on their investment.
It’s worth noting that A-dec® is the preferred choice in more than 80% of North American dental schools today. Even schools on fixed or very tight budgets select A-dec equipment more often than any other brand. So what lessons can your DSO learn from their experience?
Lesson 1: Know Your Environment
The equipment and furniture in a dental school—and a DSO—get considerably more use than in a private practice. That makes quality, durability, and consistent performance essential.
In a DSO environment, reliable dental equipment is what keeps operatories full, clinic schedules running smoothly, and staff working productively.
Before you buy, ask these questions:
- How durable is the equipment?
- What’s the expected lifespan?
- Is it designed for the extra demands of a DSO?
A-dec dental equipment is renowned for its legendary quality and comes backed with a 10-year warranty. Even in high-use corporate dental group settings, more than 99% of A-dec dental units and chairs required no service beyond recommended annual maintenance in their first five years¹.
Another important consideration:
- Will your equipment be used by many different people?
- Is it adjustable for both right- and left-handed clinicians?
- How well does it accommodate a range of heights?
A-dec’s innovative Radius® configuration was first invented so that dental schools could easily move the delivery to either the right or left side of the chair. And with one of the lowest base down settings in the industry, A-dec dental chairs enable doctors of all heights to practice comfortably.
Lesson 2: Think Ahead
Dental schools are in the business of educating the next generation of clinicians, and understand that today’s younger cohort of dental professionals wants to work with the newest technology.
With that in mind, it’s wise to consider the expandability of your equipment. If you won’t be able to easily integrate new features or technology, you’re shortchanging your ability to expand your services and attract top talent to your DSO.
Look for dental equipment designed to:
- Easily integrate with a wide range of clinical devices
- Accommodate new technologies as they evolve
A-dec designs with an eye to the future, to ensure you get the most for your investment now, while supporting your DSO’s plans for growth.
And when you’re connected via the A-dec+ software platform, it’s easier to manage and monitor your A-dec equipment more efficiently. Using the A-dec+ app group account, you’re able to view aggregated equipment data from multiple clinics, which helps you maximize your return on investment and offers greater visibility into the total cost of ownership.
Lesson 3: Focus on Efficiency
Because dental schools are teaching labs full of students at any given time, having a smooth workflow is important.
A-dec brings DSOs a seamless, integrated process with a purposeful clinic layout. Equipping treatment rooms with A-dec dental chairs, stools, deliveries, lights and furniture—and having a dedicated A-dec sterilization center—can make a significant difference in efficiency, which fuels profitability and future growth.
At the patient-treatment level, efficiency is a function of the A-dec dental furniture, chair and delivery system designs.
A-dec’s “flight deck” concept puts everything the team needs within easy reach, minimizing time-wasting movements. Having one convenient, organized zone with every tool at their fingertips—and optimal access to the oral cavity—allows dental teams to work more productively, without having to stand, leave the room, or take their eyes off the treatment area.
Lesson 4: Less Pain = More Gain
With up to 60% of dentists reporting physical pain at some point in their careers, more dental schools are teaching their students ergonomically correct practices.
A-dec takes it a step further, designing products with smart ergonomics that encourage good posture and proper working techniques by reducing unnecessary twisting, leaning and reaching.
Key ergonomic features include:
- A-dec dental stools that keep clinicians positioned in a healthy “athletic” stance
- A-dec dental chairs with thin backs for rolling in close to the patient
- Dual-articulating gliding headrests for optimal access to the oral cavity
- A-dec delivery systems that keep handpieces within easy, natural reach
The result: Doctors, assistants and hygienists can practice longer and more productively with less strain, fatigue and pain.
A-dec’s smart ergonomics naturally boost efficiency along with comfort—making what’s good for your staff good for your bottom line, too.
Lesson 5: Do the Math
If you’re feeling the pressure to get the most out of your equipment budget, it’s easy to focus on price alone. But as dental schools know, that’s only part of the total cost equation.
It’s important to consider:
- Hidden costs of ongoing maintenance and repairs
- Unexpected replacement costs
- Typical product lifespan as part of the total cost of ownership
Be sure to determine if you’ll have easy access to service parts down the road. It’s probably not something you’re thinking about at the time of purchase, but it can make all the difference between a quick, inexpensive repair and having to replace an entire chair or delivery system.
As you look at your options, consider everything that goes into getting the best return on your investment. DSOs that do the math find that A-dec’s high quality, proven performance, and exceptional long-term reliability make it a wise choice.
Lesson 6: Choose the Right Partner
Dental schools—and DSOs—who choose A-dec enjoy the added value of having a long-term partner dedicated to their success.
A-dec has:
- The most representatives in the field
- Extensive training for authorized dealers, sales, and service personnel
- A strong focus on providing a superior customer experience
Your A-dec Territory Manager can help with everything from:
- Clinical space planning
- Providing ergonomic assessments
- Training your teams on the optimal use of your new A-dec equipment
You’ll also have access to live A-dec Customer Service support by phone, 12 hours a day, five days a week.
A-dec understands what DSOs need to succeed and thrive: scalable solutions that empower your teams to work smarter, more productively, and more comfortably. That’s what fuels profitability and future growth.
Learn More
Learn more about A-dec solutions for DSOs at
👉 https://www.a-dec.com/dental-service-organizations
¹ Short-term performance study, 2017–2023
