How do equipment companies train and certify service techs?

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pryor on August 31, 2011 at 3:38pm

Bill - I can answer for at least one direct company.  When it came time to service the equipement we had a few options:

1) Network with an independent rep that would be willing to help you with your accounts (Hayes, Etc.)

2) Service the product yourself.  Only for very technical people

3) Try to get a decent relationship with the dealer service tech that usually calls on the office.  This can be very tricky but by and by I think there are a lot of friendly people in the industry.  I had this work a few times with some great Service Techs at dealers.

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Permalink Reply by Dental Sales Rep on August 31, 2011 at 7:59pm

Thanks Ian.  Some companies won't let their sales people service equipment...liability.  I have spent some time fixing ultrasonic scalers and cleaners as a sales rep.  I like to leave it up to the professionals, LOL

 

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Permalink Reply by Ricklin on September 2, 2011 at 5:33pm

Nationwide the only "real" training that exists is the military. The USN is the only branch of the military that has dental equipment techs. Other branches lump dental in with medical. Thus when biomed techs leave the military, they generally become biomed techs.

The onus falls on the manufacturer's to provide service training for their equipment. Some do a stellar job, some companies buy you a hooker and get you drunk!!

I mention the above, because I have experienced both in the past thirty odd years, although I did not avail myself of the hooker:)

 

I will mention that Adec did a stellar job and probably still does. Instrumentarium did a great job on the imaging side. Way back when both GE and SSW did a great job for x-ray training.

The old Pelton-Crane company was unique all the dealer service techs in town would come to a hotel conference room and learn about the gear. That is never done anymore.

 

The direct companies use independent service techs, before you ask, there is no list. In fact those companies are pretty secretive about who their "guys" are.

 

Quite honestly most techs are made, not formally trained. On the job training is very common. I have had chats over a few brews several times about establishing a formal "technician school"

 

Hell I could be the dean of said school.

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Dental Sales Rep on September 3, 2011 at 7:17am

You probably could start a school! As always ... Thanks for insight. Any chance you'll be at CDA?

Bll

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Permalink Reply by Ricklin on September 5, 2011 at 1:28pm

Yes I will be at the Northern Cal meeting. Find me in the Imageworks booth.

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Permalink Reply by Dental Sales Rep on September 5, 2011 at 9:07pm

Will makes sure I stop by the Imagworks booth.  Tell Marc Thacher he needs to buck up for the DSPConnect app.  He'll know what I mean, LOL

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