A new dawn for dentistry in Danish Greve

The new community dental clinic in the Danish municipality of Greve is a perfect example of how everything can come together with the right equipment and partners. After a major renovation furnished by Planmeca and Fiskers Dental Service, the new Hedely clinic is open and provides a wide range of dental care services, including services to children and young people, orthodontic treatment and specialist care.

The newly rebuilt and renovated Hedely dental clinic, located right next to the Hedelyskolen school in the Danish municipality of Greve, is the result of the merging of three smaller municipal clinics. The renovation began in the summer of 2014, with the interior refurbishment guided by Fiskers Dental Service, a Danish dental distributor part of Planmeca Group. Ida Lichtenberg, head of the Hedely clinic, has nothing but praise for the result. “The merger has greatly improved our everyday working practices and we are truly delighted with the new clinic.”

Something old, something new

The remodelled clinic is a combination of old and new. The main building for the dental clinic remains the same, but has been extended at both ends to accommodate the merger. Much of the original furniture has been preserved and moved into the new facilities, which has both saved on expenses and retained a familiar atmosphere in the clinic. In turn, the refurbished furniture has been complemented by 16 state-of-the-art Planmeca Sovereign® Classic dental units, which emerged as the best option for the new clinic after a careful evaluation process.

Planmeca Sovereign Classic became the choice of the Greve clinic after a tendering process which particularly emphasised five criteria – infection control, ergonomics, adaptability for the future, operational costs and maintenance costs. The clinic staff was also consulted on the decision in order to ensure the new units would suit the everyday work of the clinic’s dentists and dental assistants. In the end, it was the Planmeca Sovereign Classic which came out on top with the best overall score.

A winning combination of safety and ergonomics

According to hygienist Liselotte Salomonsen, it was the Planmeca Sovereign Classic’s many built-in features for infection control and the clever ergonomic design which particularly swung the decision in favour of Planmeca.

The dental unit’s smooth, specially treated surfaces combined with the automated waterline cleaning system have made daily cleaning routines easier and provide for a safer treatment environment at the clinic. “The unit fulfils all our expectations,” says Salomonsen of the infection control features. “It does not collect dust or dirt, and there are no places dirt might adhere to which we cannot reach.”

The ergonomics of the Planmeca Sovereign Classic unit have also received much praise from the clinic’s staff. Staff members have particularly appreciated the unit’s swivelling function, which enables the unit to adapt to both dentist and assistant. "The working space of the assistant was actually one of the things we rated high in our research, " explains dental assistant Susanne Kjeldsmark, “and the swivelling patient chair offers much more space."

Salomonsen agrees. “The rotating function accommodates both left- and right-handed users and gives us both flexibility and a more ergonomic working environment. We are simply sitting better!”

From left to right: hygienist Liselotte Salomonsen, head of clinic Ida Lichtenberg, and dental assistant Susanne Kjelsmark

“They have been fantastic”

Head of the clinic Lichtenberg says she is also pleased with the new changes and additionally has been very happy with the services of Fiskers Dental Service. Fiskers was responsible for coordinating the refurbishment process and for supplying the clinic with the Planmeca Sovereign Classic dental units.

“Fiskers have been part of the renovation process from the beginning. We greatly benefited from their technical expertise, and in return they listened to our experiences from everyday life. They have been fantastic,” says Lichtenberg. Thanks to the smooth cooperation between Fiskers, the main contractor and the staff at the three clinics, the municipality’s dental care service never had to close for repairs.

One dental unit for all needs

Since completing the renovation and relocation process, the staff has remained happy with the clinic’s choice of dental units. As part of the clinic’s investment in the Planmeca Sovereign Classic, the Danish arm of Planmeca organised a number of training sessions to help the staff get familiar with the dental unit’s many functionalities. This has only increased the unit’s popularity among members. However, it was seeing the unit in action for the first time during the tendering process which first convinced the clinic of its advantages.

“It is one thing to read brochures and manuals, but quite another to see the unit live,” Salomonsen explains. “Seeing the Planmeca Sovereign Classic in action we quickly realised it was the unit for our needs. And we have definitely not been disappointed."