In October, AAMI leadership attended the 2024 edition of the Dental Fix Summit, seeking opportunities to support the dental field and its patients using AAMI standards. Dental Fix is an annual event run by UptimeHealth and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET). According to CBET President Richard “Monty” Gonzales, “This collaboration between UptimeHealth and CBET represents a significant step forward in providing top-notch education and resources to the biomedical and dental equipment repair community. We are committed to supporting these technicians as they continue to drive innovation and excellence in their field."

Recognizing the potential to further support AAMI’s mission, Chief Learning and Development Officer, Robert Burroughs, and Vice President of HTM, Danielle McGeary, attended the event. AAMI’s commitment to promoting the safe and effective use of health technology strongly aligns to the needs of the dental field. Burroughs said, “We’re here to learn more and figure out how we can help.”

McGeary noted key differences in regulatory practices between hospitals and independent dental clinics. While dental clinics that are within health delivery organizations adhere to the same regulatory requirements and standards as hospitals do, independent dental clinics are not bound by these same regulations. With an estimated 130,000 independent dental practices nationwide, this represents a significant area for potential standardization and support. As McGeary explains, “health Delivery Organizations are regulated by CMS and their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements depend on their compliance with CMS’s standards. Because of this, HDOs are audited by agencies that accredit on behalf of CMS, such as the DNV or the Joint Commission, regularly.”

Burroughs added that independent dental practices are evolving, and their technology is rapidly becoming more complex. “As you see dental practices scaling, you’ll see much of what you saw in traditional healthcare. You’ll see a rising level of standardization and formality along with the introduction of new, cutting-edge technology that must be managed.” With decades of experience guiding the healthcare technology management (HTM) field through similar transitions, AAMI is well-positioned to help dental practices prepare for these technological changes.

Robert and Danielle made these comments during a short interview series conducted at the Dental Fix Summit. You can find the videos below on LinkedIn!

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Independent dental clinics sometimes face challenges ensuring their health technology is properly maintained, as there is a lack of industry standards that establish best practices around medical device servicing. This is an area where AAMI’s expertise could be valuable, providing guidance for effective and efficient predictive and preventative maintenance along with strategic equipment replacement planning.

AAMI’s approach to standards and best practices for HTM could be instrumental in supporting dental equipment servicing technicians across the United States. Since dental care is healthcare and dental equipment servicing is a specialty within HTM, there’s a unique opportunity to bridge the gap by bringing formalized servicing practices into the dental sector. AAMI’s experience in guiding other healthcare areas through similar evolutions positions us well to assist independent dental practices as they adapt to increased standardization and regulatory expectations. This collaboration not only advances patient safety but also strengthens the role of dental technicians as key players in HTM. As AAMI expands its focus into the dental field, we look forward to making a positive impact that benefits both patients and HTM professionals alike.

Note from the Editor: This isn't the first time AAMI has worked with professionals from the dental field. In 2020, AAMI announced a collaboration with the American Dental Association, bringing ADA expertise into a newly-formed working group, ST - WG 44 Steam Sterilization Dental Practices. Unlike the new HTM efforts, this project is focused specifically on the development of a joint AAMI-ADA standard for steam sterilization practices and sterility assurance in dental facilities. Standards development is a years-long process requiring the input of all kinds of expert stakeholders. Parties interested in participating in this standards work should contact Thomas Kim ([email protected]) for more information.