This article is sponsored content brought to you by NSK.
Across 15 of My Clinics. By Dr Derek Mahony
Running 15 practices across Australia means reliability isn’t optional — it’s essential. Our clinics are incredibly busy, and on some days, we see up to 40 patients per chair. In that environment, equipment failure simply isn’t acceptable. A handpiece going down disrupts workflow, reduces productivity, and ultimately impacts patient care. That’s why equipment selection has always been central to my clinical philosophy. Anything I invest in must be durable, predictable, and capable of performing under heavy daily use.
Over the years, my clinics were established at different times and with different teams, so each one ended up with its own mix of chair connectors, handpieces, and maintenance routines. This created complexity for staff training and made it difficult to move equipment between sites. If something failed at one location, we couldn’t guarantee compatibility with another.
That’s when I knew it was time to review our entire handpiece system and ultimately, that decision led me to NSK.
The first thing I noticed when I started using NSK S-Max handpieces was the power and precision. The cutting performance was exceptional, even on hard materials like zirconia. Combined with the ergonomic design, lightweight construction, scratch resistance, and innovations like the Clean Head System, it became obvious these weren’t ordinary handpieces. Everything felt deliberately engineered for balance, comfort, and control — the kind of difference you feel instantly.
Integrating NSK handpieces has significantly improved our daily workflows. The push-button chuck and well-designed internal lubrication system increase efficiency and ease of use. Manufactured to micron-level precision with ultra-tight ball-bearing tolerances, they deliver smoother, quieter, and highly predictable performance.
Handpiece maintenance is a major operational cost for any dental practice — and across 15 clinics, that cost increases substantially. This is where the NSK iCare system has been a major asset. It automatically cleans and rotates the chuck using preset lubrication volumes specific to each handpiece type. The dedicated chuck-cleaning function helps maintain retention force and extends the lifespan of our equipment. My dental assistants find it simple and quick to use, which means proper maintenance happens consistently. For me, it provides peace of mind knowing our investment is protected.
We’ve also incorporated the NSK Surgic Pro into our surgical suites.
It’s compact, intuitive, and when paired with the VarioSurg ultrasonic bone system, creates a seamless surgical workflow. A single stand and one foot control keep the setup clean and efficient. Physically connecting the units with the provided cable improves synchronisation, and the dedicated cart offers excellent access and ergonomics for complex procedures. While we don’t utilise the Bluetooth functionality, for practices that want real-time data monitoring, the option is there. For us, the focus is on reliability and NSK consistently delivers.
NSK’s commitment to true Japanese quality and innovation is evident in every detail. Products from Japan are renowned for precision much like how top chefs rely on Japanese knives. NSK follows that same philosophy of craftsmanship. When I consider the handpieces I’ve purchased over the past 35 years, the ones that have lasted the longest are unquestionably NSK products.
Standardising all 15 practices with NSK came down to quality, reliability, efficiency, and unmatched support. Would I recommend NSK? Absolutely. The equipment performs exceptionally well, the maintenance systems are outstanding, and their educational initiatives like the recent NSKonnect event demonstrate a genuine commitment to our dental profession. That’s why I recommend
NSK without hesitation, and why my clinics will continue relying on them as we grow.
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