The average dentist saw around 3,800 patients in 2022, and this number has been steadily increasing in the past two years. As dentists juggle the maintenance of medical devices while also managing a growing patient load, it’s no surprise that the shortage of skilled repair technicians is becoming a pressing issue.
The Challenges of Finding Qualified Technicians
“About three years ago, I began actively attempting to recruit dental equipment repair technicians. This proved to be a daunting task because most of these technicians don’t advertise themselves. They usually walk into dental offices and win a customer, and from there on, they gain new customers through word of mouth,” shared Darrine Miller, Vice President of Operations at UptimeServices—birthed from UptimeHealth’s acquisition of Dental Whale. “Sometimes, a manufacturer might discover them by way of a potential equipment sale and hire them, but most don’t actively publicize their services.”
When Miller started her mission to recruit these elusive technicians, she encountered an unexpected challenge. Many were nearing retirement or already swamped with work. Even more concerning was the lack of formal training pathways. “I initially struggled to find technicians, and when I did, I discovered that most were nearing retirement or already had more business than they could handle,” said Miller.
Additionally, she discovered that many had never received formal biomedical or dental equipment repair education. “The only formal education available today comes from OEM certifications or the Air Force and Navy, which focused on biomedical engineering without distinguishing between medical and dental devices. Ultimately, I realized the issue wasn’t just my recruiting problem—it was an industry-wide problem. The technicians I found have years of experience but never had access to formal dental equipment repair education, and they have no way to expand their business for this same reason,” she continued.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Dental Equipment Repair
Faced with this dilemma, Miller and her team at UptimeServices got creative with their strategy. They turned to biomedical equipment technicians (Biomeds), professionals with formal training in medical device repair. “Biomeds seemed like the perfect fit because they have formal education in basic troubleshooting, electronics, and an understanding of air and fluid dynamics. They are also well-prepared to introduce rigorous preventive maintenance practices to the dental field, which is essential for working on dental equipment,” said Miller.
However, transitioning to dental equipment repair isn’t an easy process. While the underlying principles might be similar—(water, electricity, air, hydraulics), dental tools have their own unique characteristics that require specialized knowledge. Moreover, there’s a cultural shift to navigate, moving from the clinical setting of a hospital to the more personable atmosphere of a dental practice. “Soft skills were another challenge. Biomeds work in medical facilities that are not as relational as dental practices. In a hospital, a Biomed might never interact with the staff; they just repair the equipment. Dentistry is the opposite—everything is relational. Dentists and hygienists are naturally involved and conversational with their patients. They are also very invested in how their equipment is handled and, therefore, engage with their repair technicians,” Miller notes. “The gap in knowledge, specifically about dental equipment and the lack of training in basic customer soft skills, created a new challenge.”
To bridge this gap, UptimeServices has been sending Biomeds to OEM training sessions offered by manufacturers, where they can gain certifications specific to hands-on dental equipment education. However, even this approach revealed more complexities. “This would require attending many OEM training events to gain a basic knowledge of most dental equipment.
Additionally, not all OEM training is brand-agnostic. Currently, the dental industry has about 3500 dental equipment repair technicians, yet there are over 150,000 dental offices and growing. With only a limited number of technicians available, the dental industry is in a tight spot,” Miller admitted. “There’s a huge shortage, and the existing technicians are retiring. Moreover, young people aren’t even aware that dental equipment repair is a career option.”
Addressing Safety Standards in Dental Equipment Maintenance
The technician shortage, aside from an inconvenience, is an alarming safety concern. Unlike the medical field, where strict regulations govern equipment repair, the dental industry lacks such oversight. To combat this issue, UptimeHealth and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET) have partnered to develop a unique, industry-specific education and training program. As Darrine Miller explains, “About two years ago, a partnership emerged with the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET) focused on addressing the shrinking workforce of knowledgeable dental equipment repair technicians. Together, UptimeHealth and CBET are focused on designing a unique, industry-specific education and training program aimed at filling this gap.”
UptimeHealth and CBET are also working together to engage with the government to help address the workforce shortage in the medical and dental device service sectors. “The curriculum includes both theoretical education and hands-on training, ensuring that participants gain practical experience and in-depth knowledge relevant to dental equipment repair. Together, UptimeHealth and CBET are engaging the government to help address the declining workforce issue in the medical and dental device service sector,” Miller enthusiastically expressed.
UptimeHealth and CBET continue to actively seek ways to inform job seekers about the significant opportunities and affordable education available in the dental equipment repair profession, emphasizing its potential for an engaging and rewarding career path.
Published By: Aize Perez
