The Importance of Dental Chair Maintenance

Running a dental practice is not just about the clinical care of patients. While patient treatment is paramount, ensuring the success of your business and the well-being of your staff and patients requires attention to other crucial areas. One such area is the diligent maintenance of your equipment, as your practice simply cannot function without it.

Guild Insurance has observed a concerning trend in claims related to faulty or damaged dental chairs, often stemming from inadequate maintenance. These claims can be extremely costly, frequently involving damage beyond the chair itself.

Example of What Can Go Wrong:

Imagine a scenario where the pipes within a dental chair burst overnight, flooding the practice. By the time the issue is discovered in the morning, significant damage has been inflicted on the floors and furniture. While insurance may cover the cost of the additional damage to the practice, it cannot fully compensate for the period during which the practice is unable to operate. This disruption can lead to patients seeking treatment elsewhere and expressing frustration with what they perceive as a poorly maintained practice.

Key Points Regarding Dental Chair Maintenance:

  • Your practice cannot function without operational dental chairs. Breakdowns and malfunctions directly impact your ability to treat patients.
  • Malfunctioning chairs pose potential safety hazards to the patients who sit in them.
  • Adhere strictly to the manufacturer's guidelines for chair maintenance.
  • Consider the potential consequences of patients being forced to seek treatment elsewhere due to your chair or practice being out of operation. Will they return to your practice later?
  • Do not assume that insurance will cover all breakdowns, making maintenance unnecessary. This is not always the case. While insurance may cover accidental damage or equipment failure, it generally does not cover wear and tear resulting from poor maintenance.

Poor maintenance of your chairs or other equipment can have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the equipment itself but also your professional reputation and the overall operation of your practice. Do not underestimate the importance of your chairs and other equipment; ensure they are maintained as required.

Download PDF here

Similar Articles