How to find a trustworthy repair company for your equipment
For dentists, equipment is their livelihood. Keeping equipment alive as long as possible matters if you’re running on a tight financial budget, or have a constant flow of patient coming in and out of your practice. But when your essential equipment runs down, breaks, or is experiencing malfunctions, then maintenance is needed, and some of the best people to do that are repair technicians. But finding the right technician for the job tends to be a tedious, laborious task, especially when timeliness is at stake. So, who can you go to for your repairs? What companies will serve you best?
But before even thinking about a repair technician, one of the best ways to begin repairing your equipment is by analyzing all the options you have at your disposal. There are steps you can take to determine what you need, how much it’ll cost, and what resources are available after the fact. Here’s how you can best determine your options:
Identify the Issue
When your equipment’s experiencing problems, try to remember the occurring situation surrounding the equipment. Look back on your previous event prior to the malfunction and determine what you believed caused it. By learning what may have happened, you can narrow down your options and describe your issue better to your technician or warranty supplier.
Check the Warranty
If your equipment is relatively new, then you could be covered for a warranty from the retailer or manufacturer. Certain companies can provide warranties for up to five years, depending on the equipment, and refurbishing companies can supply warranties for at least a year due to the previous condition of the product.
Consult the supplier
Company suppliers can work at troubleshooting the problem through phone or online support, making repairs less costly. If the equipment is able to be fixed over the phone, then great!
Find repair technicians
If the supplier is unable to troubleshoot the issue, then ask about their recommendations for repair technicians. You can also ask dental colleagues and forums such as DentalTown for advice. Some of the best companies are generally spoken about and referenced in conversations with dentists and hygienists alike, but ultimately, it comes down to personal experience. If you’ve found any repair technicians, you can call them and ask questions about their history, their specifications, and their experiences with previous customers to gain insight into the company. Repair technicians that are trustworthy, knowledgeable, and effective at communication matter in the scenarios because they help determine your connections the next time this happens again.
Buying vs. Repair: Which is Better?
After going through the previous steps, you may find that purchasing new equipment will cost less for your practice overall, especially if the equipment you use is an older model that’s out of commission. Older parts can be harder and more expensive to find, and your repair technician will be able to inform you about the costs of repairing the equipment before the repairs begin. If the item can’t be fixed, then a new one will be necessary, but any good technician will talk with you about the options you have.
1. Henry Schein
C ompany Type: Public Company
Company Size: 10,000 + Employees
Founded: 1932
BBB Rating: A+, Not BBB Accredited
Henry Schein not only supplies equipment but also offers its on-site, personalized repair services to dentists across the country. Each technician under Henry Schein produces repairs that are manufacturer-authorized under highly trained technicians that are up to date with all the specs you need. Henry Schein’s repair services are localized, meaning that no matter where your business is, Henry Schein’s service representatives will be able to help find the right technician in your area, whether its for basic repairs or for emergency repair services. The company also offers preventative maintenance programs to help dentists keep their equipment in check for the latest recalls and updates.
2. Dental Fix RX by Dental Whale
Company Type: Privately Held
Awards: Inc. 5000 2018, Entrepreneur.com Franchise 500 2018
Company Size: 50 -200 Employees
Founded: 2009
BBB Rating: A+, Not BBB Accredited
As a subsidiary company of Dental Whale, Dental Fix RX makes itself known as the fastest-growing company by serving over 28,000 dentists and completing over 1 million repairs. Their repair service offers 24/7 customer service and two payment plans for repairs, and all of their technicians receive over 200 hours of training on the latest products in the industry to keep up with the demand. Their technicians also receive constant updates about new repair knowledge and are highly capable of giving the most satisfactory experience.
3. Repair Makers
Company Type: Privately Held
Company Size: 10-50 Employees
Founded: 1993
BBB Rating: N/A
Repair Makers runs similarly to Dental Fix RX, providing multi-service solutions for dentists on a budget. As a family-owned, independent company, Repair Makers specializes in medical and dental equipment repairs, giving flex-rate pricing that guarantees the lowest rate for the best quality. Their technicians assure that for needed quick fixes that they can complete repair services in a matter of hours both in the field and on the bench. Their service coordinators have complete knowledge of all the latest specifications for your equipment and can provide up-to-date repair services for all the latest products.
4. Patterson Dental
Company Type: Privately Held
Company Size: 1000-5000 Employees
Founded: 1877
BBB Rating: A+, Not BBB Accredited
Patterson Dental’s repair service is backed by their extensive history within the dental field, and thus makes them a reliable source for finding repair technicians. Their National Repair Center repairs small equipment and handpieces, handling their services with quickness and ease. Patterson Dental has local offices across the country, meaning no matter where you are, you’ll be able to find the technicians you need through their interconnected Patterson Technology Center. Their center handles over 5,000 contacts and 1,000 live chats per day, and their 90% customer satisfaction rate gives Patterson Dental an edge in the dental field like no other.
5. Benco Dental
Company Type: Privately Held
Company Size: 1000-5000 Employees
Founded: 1930
BBB Rating: NR, Not BBB Accredited
Benco Dental knows that time matters in the dental industry; that’s why they offer full-service repairs through their ThreeSixty Precision Repairs and Reupholstery team. Their team hosts a wide selection of knowledgeable technicians ready to serve at just a call away, and they offer a fast turnaround time for handpiece repair, small equipment, and upholstery services, giving a 90-day warranty on their services and an overhaul program to help replace your equipment with the latest models. Each technician is up to date with the latest specifications needed to repair and aim to give their services at the most affordable prices.
