“Planmeca units are design masterpieces in the field of dentistry”
When choosing new dental units, Dr. Grzegorz Pietras wanted to identify an option that would meet his clinic’s diverse range of requirements. He ultimately found just that – and more – in Planmeca Compact™ i5.
Dr. Grzegorz Pietras is originally a graduate of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland – one of the oldest universities in the entire world. He subsequently completed his Master of Prosthodontics degree at the University of Siena in Italy, specialising in prosthodontic and endodontic treatments.
Today, Dr. Pietras is the lead practitioner at the Dentactiv clinic in Biała Podlaska, a Polish city of just under 60,000 inhabitants. The treatment team also includes two dental assistants, two hygienists, a dental nurse, and two collaborating surgeons. The clinic is managed by Pietras’ wife.
As Dentactiv’s lead practitioner, Pietras’ focus is on planning and seeing through treatments. The clinic handles a wide spectrum of procedures – from restorative dentistry to endodontics, prosthodontics, onlays, inlays, single-unit implants and full-arch implant rehabilitation.
The work of Dr. Pietras and his staff is closely supported by certain technologically advanced helpers that set the stage for the many kinds of dental treatments that take place at the clinic.
“The heart of our clinic is our pair of Planmeca Compact™ i5 treatment units,” Dr. Pietras states.
Unique masterpieces
The Planmeca units were chosen for the clinic three years ago, after much careful deliberation. Dr. Pietras wanted to be sure that Dentactiv landed on high-quality options that were optimal fits for his clinic and its specific requirements.
“I’m a prosthodontist and endodontist and was looking for a reliable dental unit that is ergonomically suitable for my needs. I already had a Planmeca Olo™ saddle stool, so I knew the company’s products to offer great comfort,” he recounts.
Dr. Pietras does not hold back when praising his dental units, as they have truly been able to elevate the excellent work done at the clinic. The side lifting mechanism of the Planmeca Compact i5 units has particularly been to his liking, as it leaves plenty of room under the patient chair and allows the treatment team to work efficiently and close the patient.
“Planmeca units are design masterpieces in the field of dentistry,” Dr. Pietras states.
“They are unique in that the floating patient chair is supported by the unit’s column and lifted from the side. The units are also very comfortable.”
Indeed, the units bring together aesthetics and functionality in a way that allows the treatment staff to work seamlessly together.
“I work with a dental assistant and a big benefit of Planmeca dental units is that we can operate them together. Due to the construction of the units, the dentist does not have any obstructions and the assistant also has access to the instruments,” Dr. Pietras describes.
Less fatigue, tension and stress
Planmeca Compact i5’s flexibility supports the efficient way Dr. Pietras and his staff prefer to work – minimising movements and fully focusing on the treatment at hand. This was another aspect that was very crucial when choosing the clinic’s new units.”
“When I am working with a dental microscope, I don’t want to be distracted, or to operate the unit with my right hand from the control panel that is usually on the right side of the instrument console,” Dr. Pietras explains.
“The Planmeca Compact i5 unit’s control panel is on the left side of the console. This is unique and very important to me. My assistant sits to my left and can easily access the controls.”
Ergonomics can sometimes be a difficult topic to grasp, as even relatively small things can have a big impact, especially over time. Three years in, the Planmeca Compact i5 units have proven their worth and improved the overall wellbeing of the staff.
“With Planmeca dental units, we can perform high quality treatments with less fatigue, less tension and basically no stress. Even though stress is common in our work, thanks to Planmeca we can now operate in a stress-free environment.” Dr. Pietras says.
Safety meets comfort
At Dentactiv, infection control has always been a priority. The clinic’s dedication towards safe treatments and preventing the spread of infections also played a part in its dental unit selection process.
“I like the Planmeca Compact i5 unit’s integrated infection control features. This is a topic that is often less discussed, but it was a selling point for me. These features help guarantee the safety of both our medical team and our patients,” Dr. Pietras tells.
“Using the internal flushing system is very easy. Our dental assistants and hygienists can perform suction tube cleaning and internal flushing between patients without any hassle. It only takes about three to five minutes.”
Dr. Pietras is very mindful of the responsibility the healthcare community has in treating patients in the best possible way. When it comes to safety, there is no room for compromise.
“We should treat our patients as our family – like our children. We must be sure that our working environment is safe,” he says.
Taking patients’ feelings into consideration is also important, as a trip to the dentist can be a serious cause for anxiety for some patients. The Dentactiv clinic has a plan in place to make sure that entering the treatment room is not an intimidating experience.
“We use the dental unit’s chair a bit differently, because we do not sit patients in front of the instrument console. We move the instruments to the other side of the unit, so the patients can’t see them when they enter the room and sit in the chair,” Dr. Pietras explains.
Of course, comfort also has a part in making patients feel at ease. Dr. Pietras always wants to ensure that even lengthier treatments do not cause unnecessary discomfort for patients. Planmeca Compact i5 has helped the clinic achieve this goal consistently.
“Our patients love the chair and the Ultra Relax™ upholstery! They find to be it very comfortable,” Dr. Pietras says.
The right choice
Dr. Pietras likes the fact that the clinic’s Planmeca Compact i5 units are fully upgradable. It means that new features can be added to them at any time – long into the future. The units also allow instruments to be conveniently shared between them. The feature is greatly appreciated at the clinic, as things have not always been this way.
“We previously had two dental units from another brand, but they were different models. Sometimes this was a problem, because it was not possible to share instruments between units,” Dr. Pietras explains.
The Planmeca units have also been simple to operate. The touchscreen allows users to control a wide range of settings and to customise the units exactly to their liking.
“The unit’s interface is very easy to use. I can flexibly change between different languages. We also like the little things, like changing the colour of the interface. Our hygienists like the pink colour, but I prefer the green one,” Dr. Pietras laughs.
Overall, the Dentactiv clinic has clearly hit a homerun with its choice of units. With so many tangible benefits, the selection has further elevated daily work at the clinic and made a real difference.
“The Planmeca Compact i5 unit is unique, ergonomic, safe, comfortable, reliable – and the right choice!” Dr. Pietras summarises.
Copy: Daniel Purssila
Clinic images: Courtesy of the Dentactiv dental clinic
Image of the Pietras family: Dino Azinur
Planmeca Oy and Planmeca Group
Planmeca Oy is one of the world's leading dental equipment manufacturers, with a product range covering digital dental units, CAD/CAM solutions, world-class 2D and 3D imaging devices and comprehensive software solutions. Privately owned and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, the company offers a portfolio of products distributed in over 120 countries worldwide. Planmeca Oy is part of the Finnish Planmeca Group, which consists of several healthcare technology brands, each committed to innovation and design. With 4,600 employees worldwide, Planmeca Group companies achieved a combined turnover of EUR 1.2 billion in 2022.
www.planmeca.com
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