You’re a dentist, not a mechanic. However, you do have a few things in common.
Not only do you work with instruments but you both work with various tools and equipment. More importantly, your tools and equipment require maintenance if you’re going to get the most out of them.
Especially when it comes to your dental suction system.
Your e-vac is one of the most important tools in your practice, and preventative maintenance is absolutely essential to extend its lifespan and optimize performance.
Failing to properly maintain your equipment means you won't be able to reap the full benefits of the investment – and in the COVID-19 era, you can’t afford frivolous expenditures.
Worst of all, you won’t be able to provide the best possible care to your dental patients.
So, to avoid these pitfalls mentioned above, read on as we dig into the topic of preventative maintenance for your dental evacuation system.
The Average Dental Practice has between 1300 and 1500 patients. That means you need to deliver care with both skill and speed.
With such a busy schedule, it's impossible to maintain your dental evacuation system if you're working on it ad hoc.
Regularly scheduling your maintenance ensures you’re taking care of your equipment because you’ve made the necessary room in your packed calendar. It’s there, etched in stone for you to remember, instead of going by the seat of your pants!
Suction pump maintenance should be completed every morning before your first appointment. Here’s what you’ll need to do (in order):
You should also perform the following monthly maintenance tasks on your dental suction system (in order):
Closing your office for more than four days? Here’s what you need to do to ensure you can get your evacuation system back up and running:
Failing to maintain your suction pump will lead to malfunctions, such as a clogged collection canister. This problem leads to a strained pump and weakness in the overall suction.
Moreover, evacuation system maintenance helps to remove aerosols in your practice. During COVID-19, aerosol-reduction is absolutely integral, as it will reduce the chance of viral transmission.
Most importantly, a well-maintained E-Vac system with adequate, consistent suction ensures you offer your patients the best treatments possible, improving your reputation and your practice’s profit margins in turn.