24×7 magazine spoke with Darrine Miller, vice president of operations at UptimeServices, who is spearheading the Dental Equipment Technician Summit. Miller is working closely with the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology to create the first accredited program for dental equipment repair technicians.
24×7: How does the Dental Equipment Technician Summit cater specifically to the needs and interests of biomeds?
Darrine Miller: UptimeServices (a division of UptimeHealth) is hosting the Dental Equipment Technician Summit being held in Nashville, Tenn, on October 3–6. The Summit offers a comprehensive platform focused on the Dental Medical Device industry, providing valuable information on careers, education, and training opportunities within this specialized field. Facilitating biomed technician engagement with industry leaders will allow biomeds to expand their knowledge of the excellent career potential in this unique and challenging sector of the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) industry.
This year marks the first time biomed/HTM professionals are invited, and the excitement is substantial. By attending the Summit, biomeds will gain insights and resources to further their expertise and advance their careers with an enhanced understanding of the Dental Equipment sector. With all vendors, speakers, and training sessions focused on dental equipment, the Summit aims to equip biomeds with the confidence, information, and knowledge they need to branch out into the dental device industry.
The Summit also seeks to bridge a perceived gap between HTM in general and dental equipment technology specifically. biomeds in the military, for example, often work on a variety of equipment, medical and dental, without drawing an unnecessary distinction between the types of medical industry. This year’s Summit will highlight the similarities between the two and will demonstrate how the skills and knowledge acquired in HTM as a whole are congruent with, and readily transferable to, applications and careers in the field of dental equipment technology.
By connecting biomeds with equipment manufacturers and dental service technicians, this year’s event will foster an environment where professionals can “talk shop” and recognize the parallels and overlaps between their respective specializations. This cross-industry dialogue will help demystify dental equipment for those who may not have specialized in it before and broaden the understanding and capabilities of biomeds in handling dental equipment. By focusing exclusively on dental equipment, the Summit will result in an increased knowledge of the dental equipment industry and aims to ensure that biomeds leave with an understanding of how they can expand their customer and equipment base, as well as potential income, with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed and grow in this sector.
24×7: What role will the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology play in the new accredited program for dental equipment repair technicians, and how will this benefit biomeds?
Miller: The College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET), an accredited educational institution, plays a crucial role in the new accredited program for dental equipment repair technicians, particularly through its partnership with UptimeHealth, which began a little over two years ago. This partnership emerged from the need to address the shrinking workforce of knowledgeable repair technicians, and other talent pipeline challenges, in the dental equipment field. Together, they have focused on designing a unique, industry-specific education and training program aimed at filling this gap.
CBET has been instrumental in creating a highly valuable technical training program specifically tailored for dental equipment repair technicians. This Dental Equipment Repair Technician (DRT) Certificate program serves both new entrants to the field, with limited or even no experience, as well as qualified biomeds seeking to expand into the dental equipment field. 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.
While theoretical education is delivered online via a comprehensive learning management system (LMS), CBET has also contributed to the construction of a state-of-the-art training facility in San Antonio, Texas. Fully equipped with the latest tools and technologies necessary for comprehensive training, this advanced infrastructure provides an optimal learning environment and allows biomeds to gain practical experience and in-depth knowledge, which are essential for mastering the intricacies of dental equipment repair.
biomeds will benefit significantly from this collaboration. Access to specialized education and training to enhance their current skills and knowledge in the field of dental equipment repair will allow them to enter a different vertical within the medical device repair industry, which has a high demand for qualified, educated technicians. The program not only equips biomeds with the necessary technical skills but also opens new career opportunities, while also addressing the critical need for skilled professionals in the dental equipment sector.
24×7: What opportunities and resources will the summit and the accredited program offer to HTM professionals seeking to expand their expertise in the dental industry?
Miller: The Dental Equipment Technician Summit provides a wealth of opportunities and resources for HTM professionals to expand their expertise in the dental industry. This event serves as a unique platform where technicians and HTM companies can explore significant opportunities within the dental sector and gain valuable insights into the business potential of the dental industry, as well as its specific demands and growth areas.
For individual participants, the Summit offers the chance to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through a variety of training sessions. These sessions are designed to enhance skills and knowledge in dental equipment repair and maintenance, providing practical, hands-on experience with the latest technologies and techniques. Additionally, the Summit aims to connect HTM professionals with numerous manufacturers that offer free courses through UptimeServices. By integrating these professionals into the UptimeServices system, the Summit ensures they can quickly get up to speed with the necessary skills and knowledge to expand or transition into the sector with success.
As noted above, CBET will shortly introduce an accredited Dental Equipment Repair Certificate program. This program additionally aims to provide a structured path to obtaining AAMI certification. For those interested in further education, CBET also provides upper-level degree programs, as well as a comprehensive range of courses for specializations and upskilling. This combination of practical training, certification opportunities, and advanced educational pathways ensures that HTM professionals will have access to the comprehensive resources they need to succeed and advance in the dental industry.
24×7: How can biomeds leverage their skills to command higher rates in the dental industry while remaining cost-effective for dental practices?
Miller: UptimeHealth and CBET are collaborating to create pathways for technicians to upskill, targeting the unique demands of the dental industry. biomeds can command higher rates in the dental industry while remaining cost-effective for dental practices by leveraging their existing skills and expanding their expertise in dental equipment repair. Additionally, the national per-hour rate in the dental industry is higher than in the general medical field, and the transition requires less specialized equipment, which makes the entry to dental industry affordable for the biomed and cost effective for dental practices.
With their background in basic troubleshooting, electronics, and understanding of air and fluid dynamics, biomeds are well-prepared to introduce rigorous preventive maintenance practices to the dental field. This is crucial as the medical industry sets a high standard for device compliance, a standard that can significantly benefit dental practices.
By gaining expertise in dental equipment repair and maintenance through programs offered by UptimeHealth and CBET, biomeds can also provide specialized services that justify higher rates. These specialized skills enable them to offer value-added services, ensuring dental equipment is well-maintained and operational, thereby improving the quality of patient care. This, in turn, helps dental practices save money over time by reducing equipment downtime and the frequency of costly repairs. Also, well-maintained equipment enhances the overall patient experience, contributing to the practice’s reputation and efficiency. By ensuring that dental practices run smoothly and efficiently, biomeds can become invaluable assets, commanding higher fees by also enhancing practice efficiencies.
The approach taken by UptimeHealth and CBET ensures that the technical workforce is of high quality, benefiting both biomeds and dental practices. This symbiotic relationship elevates the standards of dental care and maximizes the economic benefits for all parties involved.
24×7: Can you discuss the various industry players supporting the dental equipment technician field and how this collaboration enhances opportunities for HTM professionals?
Miller: UptimeHealth and CBET’s collaboration among various industry players is significantly enhancing opportunities for HTM professionals in the dental equipment technician field. Key supporters include prominent Dental Medical Device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like A-Dec, Air Techniques, DentalEZ, and Midmark. These manufacturers are actively involved in supporting the development of an accredited training program tailored to meet the specific requirements of their equipment. Our discussions with these organizations focus on aligning the training with the unique needs of their products, ensuring that technicians are well-prepared to handle the latest technologies and maintenance procedures.
In addition to OEMs, we are collaborating with Dental Organizations (DOs) across the nation. This partnership aims to improve the operations and services provided by DOs, thereby enhancing the opportunities available to HTM professionals. By integrating the needs and insights from both OEMs and the DOs, we are creating a comprehensive training program that addresses the full spectrum of skills required in the dental equipment field.
Our efforts are also directed towards expanding awareness and opportunities within the broader HTM industry. This involves ensuring that professionals have access to resources and training specifically tailored to dental equipment, thus broadening their career prospects. The enthusiastic response from manufacturers further supports this initiative, as they offer training materials, service manuals, and ongoing training opportunities, including factory certification classes, as well as access to parts and equipment to enable technicians to grow their business effectively.
The support and active participation of these major industry players substantively contributes to the training HTM professionals need to align their skills with industry requirements. This active engagement opens additional career opportunities and substantially enhances the availability of quality continuous learning and skills development opportunities.
Overall, this collaborative effort amongst UptimeHealth, OEMs, national DOs, and our training program enhances the quality of dental care and patient outcomes. It fosters a stronger and more efficient healthcare system, with HTM professionals being better equipped and more knowledgeable. The industry’s commitment to supporting ongoing training and development is a testament to the importance of skilled technicians in maintaining high standards in dental care.
