How Often Should You Service Your Dental Equipment?

Keeping your dental equipment in top condition is crucial for patient safety, compliance with CQC regulations, and the smooth running of your practice. But how often should you schedule dental equipment servicing? The answer varies depending on the type of equipment, manufacturer recommendations, and the intensity of daily use.

At SG Dental Supplies, we provide professional dental equipment servicing and repairs across London, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, ensuring your practice runs efficiently and remains compliant. In this guide, we’ll outline how often you should service key dental equipment to avoid breakdowns and expensive repairs.

Why Regular Dental Equipment Servicing Matters

Delaying or skipping routine maintenance can lead to:

• Equipment failures, causing costly downtime
• Compliance issues with the CQC and HTM 01-05 regulations
• Poor patient experience due to malfunctioning equipment
• Reduced lifespan of expensive dental tools

By servicing your dental chairs, compressors, autoclaves, and suction units at the recommended intervals, you ensure reliability, compliance, and cost savings in the long run.

Recommended Servicing Schedule for Dental Equipment

1. Dental Chairs – Every 6-12 Months

• Your dental chair is the centrepiece of your surgery. It should be serviced at least once a year, with high-usage practices benefiting from a 6-month service schedule.

• What’s checked? Upholstery condition, chair movement, control panel, handpieces, water lines, and infection control systems.

Tip: Regularly clean and lubricate chair components to prevent wear and tear.

2. Dental Compressors – Annually (or Every 6 Months for Heavy Use)

• A reliable dental air compressor is essential for delivering clean, dry air to handpieces and other pneumatic equipment.

• Annual pressure system inspections are legally required under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR 2000).

• What’s checked? Filtration systems, pressure relief valves, air quality, and performance efficiency.

Did you know? A failing compressor can introduce moisture and contaminants into your instruments, increasing infection risk.

3. Dental Suction Units – Every 6 Months

• Suction units remove saliva, blood, and debris, preventing cross-contamination.

• Regular servicing ensures strong suction power and reduces the risk of clogs and bacterial buildup.

• What’s checked? Suction flow rate, filters, hoses, and bacterial contamination levels.

Pro Tip: Flushing the suction system daily with a recommended cleaner extends its lifespan.

4. Autoclaves & Sterilisation Equipment – Every 3-6 Months

• Autoclaves play a vital role in infection control, sterilising instruments between treatments.

• CQC regulations require autoclaves to undergo regular maintenance and validation tests.

• What’s checked? Steam pressure, temperature accuracy, cycle times, and bacterial spore testing.

Warning: A malfunctioning autoclave can lead to cross-contamination and failed inspections. Don’t skip maintenance!

5. Dental X-Ray Machines – Annually

• X-ray machines, including intraoral and OPG units, must comply with radiation safety regulations.

• Annual critical examinations and servicing are required for safety and compliance.

• What’s checked? Radiation output, image clarity, safety shielding, and software updates.

SG Dental Supplies offers X-ray critical testing to keep your practice compliant. Contact us today!

6. Handpieces & Small Equipment – Every 3-6 Months

• Handpieces, scalers, and curing lights require frequent servicing due to constant use.

• Many manufacturers recommend servicing handpieces every 3-6 months to maintain optimal performance.

• What’s checked? Bearings, turbines, chuck mechanisms, and internal lubrication.

Regular maintenance prevents sudden failures and costly replacements.

How SG Dental Supplies Can Help

At SG Dental Supplies, we offer:

• Routine servicing & emergency repairs for all dental equipment
• 4-hour emergency response for urgent breakdowns
• Manufacturer-trained engineers to service top brands like A-dec, Belmont, Cattani, Dürr, and Acteon
• Pressure system inspections & X-ray compliance testing

New customers get 10% off their first call-out! Quote “SG10” when booking.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Breakdown!

Preventative dental equipment servicing is the key to avoiding downtime, maintaining compliance, and extending the lifespan of your investment. By sticking to a regular maintenance schedule, your practice remains efficient, safe, and stress-free.

Need servicing or repair?

Visit SGDentalSupplies.co.uk or call us today!