| “I met the crew of Midwest Dental (Dental Products Specialist Hoang Nguyen and Equipment Specialist Eric Martinez) this past February and was very impressed. As you know, opening a new dental office can be very stressful. But my Midwest team was very helpful and knowledgeable throughout the process. They answered all the questions I had as I was going through the process, regardless of the time I asked it (weekends, nights etc . . .). ependable, reliable, and trustworthy. I am honored to work with him . . . Dr. Mai Nguyen | “Midwest Dental has supplied our equipment and dental products for the past ten years. Kaye Clark is our sales representative and Scott Woodall is our service technician. They provide exceptional personal service and prompt attention to meet our pediatric dental office needs.”Dr. Amanda Trotter | We are pleased to work with [Sales Representative] Heather Hodges and Midwest. Heather provides superior customer service and stands behind her hard work with integrity and ethics. She is a pleasure to work with to keep the office and supplies moving smoothly. We would not be as successful without Heather and Midwest. Thank you!Dr. Robert Barberee of Stephenville, Texas |
Midwest Dental "Tech Tips"
Air Compressor
Maintenance
How often do you change the oil or filters in your car? Just like a car your compressor has a regular maintenance schedule that must be followed in order for it to give years of good service. We recommend doing maintenance on the compressor at least annually or every 6 months to keep it in good working order. After all, it is the lifeline in your office. Some common signs that would lead you to have your compressor serviced are – if you have been noticing excess water in the air; excess oil on handpiece tubing; it runs more than usual; and any type of noise that is not normally there. All of these problems can be prevented by performing regular compressor maintenance. Ask our service technicians anytime to check your compressor to see if it needs to be serviced.
Sterilizer Maintenance
Your sterilizer plays a crucial part in your office. Make sure it’s operating properly by checking for puddles of water and look for steam coming out of the door or cassette. Steam leaks are the most common cause of a sterilizer not operating properly. If it has been more than 6 months since you changed a door or cassette gasket, then it’s time to change the gasket. Don’t just set it and forget it – check the operating temperature of the sterilizer too. Make sure the temperature is in the green. Perform a spore test regularly to insure that it’s operating properly. If you don’t know if the sterilizer is working properly then feel free to give us a call. Our knowledgeable staff is here to serve you.
How to Control Your
Office Computer from Another PC
or Your iPhone
LogMeIn Free is free software that allows you to remotely access your PC or Mac from any computer or mobile device, anywhere, as long as there is an available Internet connection.
Getting started with LogMeIn Free is fast and simple. Visit www.logmein.com and select LogMeIn Free from the pull-down tab below “Products,” then hit “Download Now.” Fill out the info to create an account. In order to keep things simple, use the computer that you want to remote control when downloading this software. After clicking “Add This Computer” you will be asked to download and install the remote-access software and run the installation wizard.
Navigating to www.logmein.com again and logging in with the account you just created will take you to LogMeIn’s interface, which will give you a couple of options. In order to remotely control your desktop, hit “Remote Control.” Then you will have control over your work PC, home PC or laptop as if you were sitting in front of the monitor itself.
Connecting via iPhone is simple as well, although not free. Visit the App Store and purchase the LogMeIn Ignition App. Once installed, you will be able to connect to any PC in your LogMeIn account with your iPhone.
Caring for Your Slow-speed Handpieces
Remember to take off the slow-speed and RDH handpieces weekly and lubricate these just like the high-speed handpieces. This will keep these handpieces in better working condition. Hopefully this will save you trouble down the road and keep the connectors from “freezing” to the handpiece. Please call Midwest Dental if you have any questions about how to properly care for your handpieces.
X-ray System Certification
Are your X-rays up-to-date on state certification? Texas law requires your X-rays to be checked and certified every four years. Midwest Dental can calibrate and certify your X-rays. Also, did you know the doctor’s office must do a yearly inventory of your X-rays and have all your rules and regulations listed in an easy-to-locate notebook? Be sure to have all X-ray signs posted in your office. Hang your aprons on a wall hanger and not over the arm of your X-ray so the aprons will last longer and your X-ray arms won’t drift. Call Midwest Dental today to schedule an appointment to have your X-rays checked and certified.
- SAMPLE X-RAY PROGRAM NOTEBOOK(PDF)
- Quality Control for Image Processing (PDF)
- Operating and Safety Procedures
- Answering a Violation Notice
- Notice to Employees (PDF)
- Preparing for Inspection of Dental X-ray
- Radiation Control Regulations for Dental Radiation Machines (PDF)
- Application for Users of Radiation Machines in Healing Arts (PDF)
- Radiation Saftey Officer Information (PDF)
- Business Information Form (PDF)
- State of Texas Regulatory Guide 4.4 (PDF)
How to test your X-ray darkroom for light leaks
Texas state law requires darkroom light leak tests to be performed at least every 6 months, along with log records with dates and intials of the person performing the test.
- 1. Go into the darkroom, shut the door and turn off the light
- 2. Open an unexposed periapical film and wait 60 seconds
- 3. Process the film
- If the film develops completely clear, there is no light leak
- If the film shows gray or black, then it has been contaminated with white light and the darkroom has a light leak and needs repair
DenOptix Maintenance
The DenOptix Scanner has its own maintenance kit that includes special grease. The grease is used to lubricate the screw shaft mechanism inside the machine. This is generally done by a service tech every 6 months or when the scanner starts to squeal as it spins. Call Midwest Dental’s service team to have your DenOptix checked. Preventive maintenance today may reduce your chances for costly repairs later.
Maintenance in the Lab Area
There are a couple of areas in the lab that should receive periodic maintenance. The model trimmer is something that gets used a lot but rarely gets a thought about service. The inside chamber should be cleaned out monthly. This prevents stone slurry from building up and clogging the drain tube. On some models you can reverse the grinding wheel to expose a new surface. If you find yourself really having to put a lot of pressure on the model this will help. All of the water and stone dust from the grinding will collect in the plaster trap. Once it’s full you should change it out for a new one. The new style buckets are easier to change than the old “Tiger traps.” Call and schedule a Midwest Dental technician to come by and help keep your lab running smoothly.
Operatory Chair
Maintenance
The patient chairs in the operatories need preventive maintenance just like the rest of the equipment in the office. This is something the staff can do on a weekly basis. Of course, it goes without saying that the chairs should be given an overall cleaning once a week. Start at the headrest and end on the base plate. Even though you never take any covers off you will be able to identify small oil leaks when they first start or maybe wires that are coming out from between the covers where you did not notice them before. Listen to the chair as it rises and lowers. If you find any new problems be sure to call your Midwest Dental Equipment technician. A problem that is caught early can usually be repaired before any major damage or down time occurs.
