Are you looking to buy a brand new dental chair, but aren’t sure what features you should be looking for? Luckily, we have all the answers for you in this article.
Buying a brand new dental chair for patients can be a challenging task. You should be looking to get a dental chair that is comfortable for both the patient and the dentist and is built to be durable and long-lasting. So what do people usually look for in a dental chair?
If you want to learn more about what factors to look out for when purchasing a new dental chair, feel free to continue reading our article below.
Choosing The Right Dental Chair
Choosing the right dental chair means having to keep an eye out for various features of the chair. For example, is it sturdy? Easy to position? Scratch-resistant? These are just some factors to consider. Other important factors to consider include the following:
1). Stability
The requirements of stability will depend on the type of equipment that you use. However, stability is critical because dental procedures require you to access the oral cavity.
There are chair-mounted delivery systems that will require a more stable chair and cabinet or wall-mounted systems. To test the stability of a chair with a chair-mounted delivery system, sit on an even and level floor with a person in the supine position and wind the chair to its maximum height. Hold the top of the light post and try rocking the chair side-to-side. If the patient seating area and base plate remain rigid, the chair is stable enough.
The chair base plate is an important feature for stability. It should have a large enough footprint but not too large that it obstructs the stool casters. Cast iron base plates are more rigid and stronger than aluminium base plates which have a thinner profile. Less sound and vibration is also transferred to the patient should it be hit or bumped.
2). Dent, Scratch, And Corrosion-Resistance
Is the base plate of the chair resistant to dents, scratches, and corrosion? Since the chair’s base plate will often be subject to chemical cleaning or equipment, the finish should not scratch or chip easily. Keeping it clean requires having a permanent finish like epoxy or electrolytic bonding. The base plate should also be fully finished on all sides so that the floor coverings also aren’t damaged by rust or corrosion.
3). Movement And Feel
The way that the chair moves and feels are other important features to consider. After all, movement is a big consideration for patient comfort. Try sitting in the chair and moving it up and down to detect any jarring movement at the start or stop. From start to finish, the chair should move smoothly and gently for the patient.
A chair that is well-designed should also support the patient’s body so that they have a relaxing experience. For example, can the toeboard simultaneously lift upon reclining in order to elevate the legs? Is there a virtual pivot to synchronise chair movement with the body’s natural motion? The feel of the chair is all about ensuring that patients feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the dental procedure.
4). Easy Positioning
Positioning is another consideration when it comes to patient comfort and proper oral cavity access. For example, the headrest should be able to automatically follow the patient’s motion when the chair back is raised or lowered. This is so that you don’t have to make many adjustments. The headrest should be able to reposition by easily activating its adjustment mechanism with just your thumb and forefinger. Headrests that are knob-operated can be more challenging to adjust.
The backrest should also be flexible. A backrest that is very thin yet sturdy allows for more legroom and easy positioning for the oral cavity closer to you. This type of backrest can also absorb pressure and support the patient when they are getting on or off the chair.
Armrests should also easily move out of the way with one hand so that you can have direct access to the patient. Additionally, they should provide swift entry and exit from either side of the chair.
5). Durability And Longevity
Lastly, you want to ensure that the dental chair you choose is built to last. Faulty equipment can be costly to maintain and repair, so try choosing a chair that has features or products that requires the least maintenance and service. A chair with fewer moving parts is ideal because it lowers the risks of failures and makes maintenance and servicing easier.
Summary
When choosing the right dental chair, focus on looking at its stability, resistance to imperfections, movement and feel, positioning mechanisms, and longevity. All of these factors will help deliver a more comfortable experience to both patient and dentist, while also providing a dental procedure that is smooth, effortless, and efficient.
MES Medical Equipment Services has been Australia’s leading provider of dental chairs and other medical equipment and equipment services since 1952. We were originally established to provide electro-medical products to healthcare professionals across the country.
Our products range from sterilisation, dental systems, dental imaging, electrosurgical equipment, medical consumables, dental lasers, and equipment service maintenance.
We sell only top of the line equipment and machines produced by the leading manufacturers in the world. Our integrity and standards are your guarantees!
If you are searching for the best dental chair supplier in Australia, then look no further than Medical Equipment Services Australia.
For all your medical and dental supply requirements, please call us today on 1300 342 013 or contact us through our website.
