Sophisticated High-Tech Equipment Disappoints Dental Practices

Dental Expertise Proves More Important Than Fancy Tools

In this poll, we asked dentists: Have you ever been disappointed by expensive equipment your dental practice has purchased?

Sellers beware! Dentists haven’t been pleased with some of their pricey purchases. Eighty-three percent of dentists in our poll responded, “Yes; many tools do not live up to their advertised promises.” The remaining 17% replied, “No; every piece of equipment has a learning curve, and the equipment we’ve bought has met my expectations.”

Here are just a few of the comments our dentists had to share:

• “Are you kidding? Damn near every piece of equipment has been over-hyped. The drawbacks are omitted before the sale. If suppliers were real estate brokers, physicians, or even dentists they would have all lost their licenses years ago. It’s more like buying a used car than a piece of professional equipment.“
• “Digital x-ray and electric handpieces have made a huge impact in my practice.”
• “I bought the Zoom lamp. Though it does work, it was not worth the money.”
• “In the past, dealers would let you try before you buy. No more.”
• “I believe the learning aspect is very important and should be addressed before purchase. It sometimes keeps us from utilizing the full potential of equipment.”
• “My new KAVO operatories are a sham… Schein has done a really poor job.”
• “Too much hype! Then reality sets in and you feel taken. Plus, you can’t charge any more for the WOW! factor for patients. They aren’t buying it.”
• “Usually it’s not the equipment but the company who sold it failing to provide training or support.”
• Post your own comments!

Read the full results.