operator maintenance that is performed before, during, and after equipment usage. It is the basic maintenance required to keep equipment operating on a daily basis. Procedures usually consist of maintaining fluid levels, simple lubrication, daily inspections, cleaning, and operator calibration checks and adjustments.
- Level II (preventive maintenance) -
Intermediate maintenance relates to scheduled periodic (planned) technical inspection, lubrications requiring disassembly, replacement of worn or deteriorated parts, interior cleaning, calibration verification or adjustment, and verification of Level I performance. Level II maintenance is to be performed by a DET or contracted service.
- Level III - Maintenance consists of maintenance requiring complete overhaul of the item of equipment and is considered depot-level maintenance or equipment manufacturer service center level maintenance. At command discretion, performance of Level III is permitted if parts, personnel with technical expertise, tools, and test equipment, and manhours are available. Level III maintenance will usually result in extension of service life and should be documented in the appropriate service history.
The Medical/Dental Maintenance Work Order (NAVMED 6700/4) shown in figure 11-1, or BIOFACS work orders are used to determine workload and assign priorities for the DETs. Dental technicians who have equipment that does not properly function will complete the top section of the NAVMED 6700/4. The form is then turned in to the dental repair department for action. Depending upon the DETs' workload, they may assign you a functioning piece of equipment on a loan basis until the equipment repairs are completed.
The operation and maintenance of the dental delivery system (DDS) which consists of a chair, unit, and light (fig. 11-2) are critical to the performance of dentistry. You must know how to properly use, maintain, and make minor adjustments to a dental chair, unit, and light to avoid unnecessary delays. Because of the many different makes and models used in Navy dentistry, always read the manufacturer's instructions on the operation and maintenance for the make and model of the equipment you are using. Procedures for chemical disinfection of the DDS are discussed in Dental Technician, Volume I, Chapter 10, "Sterilization and Disinfection."
As the dental assistant, it is your responsibility to seat the patient and make chair adjustments smoothly, and assure the patient is placed in the correct position for treatment and is comfortable.
Begin each day by making a visual inspection and an operational check of the dental chair. The dental chair is electronically controlled and hydraulically powered. An electronic motor drives the hydraulic pumps enabling the back of the chair to tilt and the base of the chair to lift. The movements are controlled by switches located on the back of the chair. More recent models use foot controls for infection control purposes.
Most dental chairs have movable armrests that either slide back or raise up to provide easier patient entry and exit. Generally, some form of a release button locks and unlocks the armrest. A swivel/brake device allows the dental chair to rotate to approximately 45 degrees from either side of the center and then lock into position.
Dental chairs are equipped with either an articulating or a horseshoe-style headrest (fig. 11-3). The articulating headrest allows you to move the patient's head in approximately a 60° arc. It is adjusted by a release button located on the backside of the headrest. The horseshoe-style headrest is adjusted by pushing or pulling down on the headrest. The horseshoe headrest may also have an adjustable strap on the backside to make up and down movements of the horseshoe.
Securing the Dental Delivery System Procedures for securing the dental delivery system are as follows:
Place chair in the lowest position.
Raise the back to the upright position.
Place the armrest in the locked position.
Turn off the master switch.Continue Reading