How Will DAMAS Improve Quality At My Laboratory?

There is no direct answer to this question because the manufacture of each device is a unique, hands-on operation and therefore the quality of the final device is dependent upon the skill and experience of the technicians involved in its manufacture. DAMAS provides systems that not only support the manufacturing processes but also identify those processes and supporting services that can be improved.

Improvement may involve the selection of materials used in manufacture, information supplied to the technician, the equipment used, work flow, environment or even individual skill issues.

A technician can only work within the boundaries placed upon him. If, for instance, a particular manufacturing material is not quite the best for the job, then the resulting work is also not the best. Just because a material has always been used does not mean that there is nothing better.  A piece of equipment may have been in use for a long while, but does it still perform to its original specification?

Has the technician been provided with sufficient details? Is the workflow and scheduling well planned? Are there too many rush jobs resulting in lower quality? Is the technician completely familiar with current technology? All of these and many other issues are to be considered when evaluating the quality of work produced. The DAMAS system considers all aspects of laboratory operations and offers solutions to them. In some cases, DAMAS enhances systems already in place that may be unique to a particular technician and make such systems part of the normal working practice.

Administration and support staff play an important role in the whole process from booking in to final invoicing, including purchasing, control of inventory and maintenance of equipment. If these functions are managed in a satisfactory and timely manner the workflow becomes smoother, resulting in less pressure on the technicians and more productive working time.

There is no quality or GMP system that can guarantee the quality of each individual product for the reasons stated in the first paragraph.  I have often been asked, then why DAMAS and not ISO9000? ISO9000 is a general standard applicable to all industries from high volume manufacturing to service industries such as lawyers, accountants etc. It is a management control system and dictates that certain management functions must take place. It is true that some of the ISO9000 requirements are also in DAMAS. But because ISO9000 is a general standard aimed at such a wide audience it cannot focus on specific laboratory issues.

The DAMAS system is the only quality system that is specific to the dental laboratory industry.   It is a system that builds on a range of good practices gained from the experiences of many laboratories worldwide. All such experience is available at all times to assist technicians who are drawn into the DAMAS process. DAMAS concentrates on specific dental laboratory issues, those that not only lead to quality of product but also to economic returns.

This sophisticated management and production system will build quality assurance into every facet of your day-to-day operations enabling you to maintain consistent quality standards.