DAMAS - your link to customer and patient satisfaction

You know your skills. You know you provide high quality work. But how can you prove it to your customers? And how can you build quality into your procedures, gain more recognition for your laboratory and increase profitability at the same time?

 

DAMAS

The Dental Appliance Manufacturers Audit Scheme is the answer. This sophisticated management and production system for laboratories helps you build quality assurance into every facet of your day-to-day operations so you maintain consistent quality standards. Yet it is straightforward to implement and enhances the running of your business without imposing new levels of bureaucracy! Just as important, you can become DAMAS accredited for far less than you might expect.

 

DAMAS in a nutshell

DAMAS is essentially an independent assessment according to the DAMAS Management System Specification, a set of criteria that ensure consistent quality and high standards. The assessment is carried out by an external Certification Body which will check that each member of your staff complies with process checks throughout the manufacturing procedure. All DAMAS laboratories institute a quality policy, undertaking management reviews and internal audits to verify that the systems in place are working correctly.

 

Tailored to your laboratory’s working needs

If you’re worried this all sounds like an exercise in paperwork and administration, think again. DAMAS adapts and simplifies ISO 9002’s proven quality management principles to meet industry regulations, whilst reflecting the practical nature of manufacturing dental appliances. The emphasis is on dental technicians’ manufacturing skills, rather than extensive documented procedures or work instructions, making the scheme ideal for staff at all sizes of laboratories, from one and two-person operations to medium and large organisations.

DAMAS doesn’t just ensure greater recognition for your laboratory by raising your profile – it also proves you comply with regulations and puts you more in control of your manufacturing processes so you always meet the highest quality criteria. As well as dramatically reducing the likelihood of mistakes and costly remakes, you’ll have the ability to keep material usage in check and keep waste to an absolute minimum. Being DAMAS accredited could be key to gaining new customers, managing sustainable growth for your laboratory and maximising your profitability!

 

Backed up by the dental industry

Developed by the Dental Laboratories Association, DAMAS is designed to bring significant benefits to everyone in the dental chain. Your laboratory will have reliable quality procedures and traceability… your dentist customers can be confident that you adhere to all UK regulations relating to lab work and the production of dental appliances… and their patients will have the reassurance of excellent quality craftsmanship. The scheme is supported by a host of dental industry partners: the British Dental Association, the General Dental Practitioners Association, Dental Protection, the Department of Health, AMTAC Certification Services Ltd, the British Dental Health Association, the British Dental Trades Association and Denplan Ltd.

 

Joining DAMAS is simple!

Just order an application pack from the DLA by calling 0115 925 4888 today! This low-cost pack includes everything you need to get started, including the all-important DAMAS Specifications, a self-assessment questionnaire and an application form.

If you need support at any stage, it’s great to know that the DLA runs regular DAMAS workshops aimed at quickly getting you up to speed. The DLA’s DAMAS team is also on hand to answer any enquiries you may have; alternatively, why not ask a colleague whose laboratory already holds DAMAS status? Some laboratories also employ a consultant to pilot them through the process.

When you are ready to arrange assessment, simply complete the application form and send it to the Certification Body with the audit fee. This independent third party will then assess your processes against the DAMAS Management System Specification and check your Medical Devices Directive / MDR compliance and MDA registration. After your assessment has been successfully carried out, the Certification Body will notify the DLA and you will be issued with a certificate and the right to use DAMAS materials in your marketing.

What are you waiting for? Contact the DLA now on 0115 925 4888! Alternatively for further information just drop an e-mail to janet.cameron@dla.org.uk.