Dental engineering is a branch of knowledge which incorporates the manufacture, testing and use of dental materials, which include dental devices, cement and metallic alloys.
Training
To become a dental engineer, you will need to attend a specifically-designed course which gives practical skills and background knowledge enabling you to meet the National Occupational Standard in Servicing Dental Equipment. The course will teach you how to service the various types of equipment used every day in a dental surgery. These include dental air compressors, drilling units, suction and aspiration equipment, autoclave pressure chambers, dental chairs and amalgamators for mixing and blending the mercury.
Qualifications
Candidates will need knowledge in electrical engineering and mechanical and pneumatics to enable them to install, modify, maintain and repair all the necessary dental equipment available. They will be entirely responsible for setting up all the equipment used by the dentist and ensuring it is maintained for the safety of all the patients.
Service
Dental engineers are an integral part of any dental surgery, keeping up to date with the latest technologies, and training staff on the safe use of the equipment. They need to attend training courses to keep their expertise current, incorporating the latest developments and trends.
Equipment
If properly maintained, dental equipment has a lifespan of 10-15 years, after which time it will need replacing. Your dental engineer will then contact dental equipment suppliers, such as https://www.photonsurgicalsystems.co.uk/, to seek replacement equipment. Dental equipment can be extremely costly to a dental surgery, so a reliable dental engineer is vital, to maintain its functionality.
Testing
Another part of the role of a dental engineer is to complete PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), ensuring that the equipment meets all regulatory standards. They also diagnose equipment malfunctions using special test and analysis instruments and may at times need to disassemble faulty equipment, in order to repair or replace components. This needs to be done as quickly as possible, as the equipment is needed on a daily basis to keep appointments up to date. Maintenance records also need to be kept up to date.
Dental engineers are the hidden professionals in all dental surgeries, providing comprehensive equipment installation and maintenance, to allow their professional partners to complete their roles. They are skilled, qualified professionals who offer a dedicated service to the world of dentistry.
