Necmettin Erbakan University chooses Planmeca for reliability and cutting-edge technology

Dr Hakan Yasin Gönder, PhD, has been part of Necmettin Erbakan University since 2016, serving as both Vice Dean and Chief Physician while continuing to treat patients regularly. Situated in Konya, the university operates one of Turkey’s busiest dental education clinics, providing care for more than 1,000 patients each day – over 250,000 in 2024, with an estimated rise toward 300,000 in 2025.

In this demanding environment, Dr Gönder highlights how the faculty relies on Planmeca’s reliable, high-quality solutions, many of which have remained in daily use for years and continue to support both clinical work and dental education.

High-volume clinic with a strong educational mission

Necmettin Erbakan University places a strong emphasis on hands-on training. Each undergraduate dental student completes more than 1,500 hours of clinical practice with real patients during their fourth and fifth years. The faculty admits around 100 new students every year, with a total of approximately 500 undergraduate students currently enrolled.

According to Dr Gönder, the goal is clear: "We want our students to gain extensive hands-on clinical experience using the most advanced and high-quality dental equipment available."

Long-standing partnership with Planmeca

Dr Gönder started using Planmeca solutions for the first time after joining Necmettin Erbakan University. The university began collaborating with Planmeca already in 2014 and has been installing Planmeca dental units in several phases over the past 11 years, and many of the units installed in those early years are still in daily clinical use.

When choosing a supplier, the university had strict requirements: high product quality, reliability, ease of use, advanced technology, durability, and strong local service support. “Planmeca met all of these criteria,” Dr Gönder notes, highlighting the valuable cooperation with Planmeca’s local partner, Unaldi Medical.

Comprehensive Planmeca environment

Necmettin Erbakan University relies on a comprehensive selection of Planmeca solutions across its busy clinic. The faculty uses more than 200 Planmeca Compact™ i dental units, all connected to Planmeca Romexis® Clinic Management software for monitoring efficiency, tracking usage, and allocating maintenance – essential in an environment where downtime is not acceptable.

Planmeca Solanna® Vision operating light with 4K camers is widely used for student supervision, live streaming from operating rooms, and supporting remote lectures and symposiums.

The university also relies on a range of advanced imaging solutions, including the Planmeca Viso® G7 CBCT unit, several Planmeca ProMax® 2D units as well as multiple Planmeca ProX™ and Planmeca ProScanner® 2.0 devices. All equipment operates seamlessly within the Planmeca Romexis® dental software, used by around 200 staff and students.

Positive feedback from patients, staff, and students

Planmeca’s products receive highly positive feedback from both staff and patients at Necmettin Erbakan University. The units are valued for their exceptional robustness and reliability, as well as their practical, user-friendly design and excellent ergonomics. The floating chair concept allows clinicians of all heights to work comfortably, helping them avoid fatigue during long clinical days.

Patients also feel more relaxed in the Ultra Relax™ upholstery of the dental units, reducing anxiety during treatment. In addition, the units support both two- and four-handed dentistry, enabling students to learn a wide range of clinical techniques effectively.

Students themselves enjoy working with the equipment. "They feel comfortable with the Planmeca Compact i units," Dr Gönder says. "They may not fully realise it, but they are privileged – they are learning with the best technology available."

Text: Iiris Yli-Jama
Images: Metin Göroğlu