How to Choose the Best Dental Chair
To ensure the success of your practice, your dentist chairs should be: comfortable for you, your team, and your patients; functional and reliable; and complementary to your office décor.
What to Look for in a Dental Chair
Comfort
The ergonomics of your dental chair affect the comfort of your patients as well as the productivity of you and your staff.
For the patient, the chair should offer good support and cushioning regardless of their size. Some chairs are designed to sync with the patient’s body when the chair is lowered or raised to eliminate repositioning. Look for headrests with adjustable positioning, especially if your practice includes children.
And don’t forget armrests that can be moved to allow the patient ease of entry and egress.
Functionality
A smart, modern-looking dental chair will inspire confidence in your patients and improve your effectiveness. Today’s chairs offer several technological features, including options such as:
- Control panel with easily accessible buttons or a touchscreen to adjust chair position, operatory accessories, and the speed of the lifting and lowering of the chair
- Programmable memory settings for seat positions
- Joystick-style foot control
For all the bells and whistles, though, your chair’s most important feature is its reliability. Whether new or pre-owned, the chair you buy should perform flawlessly for years—at least 10 years from when you purchase. Check reviews from other dentists if you’re unsure about a particular model.
Aesthetics
Your dental chairs are prominently displayed in your offices, and one of the first things your patient sees when they come for an appointment—even before meeting you. Nearly all dental chairs can be customized with the colors, fabrics, and finishes that will complement your room’s décor, so consider the shapes, styles, and sizes of the chairs you like before deciding.
Pro Tip: Your dental chair’s upholstery will wear and fade from repeated cleaning, disinfecting, and everyday use. These signs of aging can take away from the professional look of your entire treatment room. Give your dental chairs and stools a refreshed appearance by applying affordable upholstery kits
New vs. refurbished: You can save approximately 40-60% buying a pre-owned chair instead of brand-new. Avoid buying used chairs that haven’t been refurbished, as these are less likely to have been thoroughly tested for parts that need replacement. A professionally refurbished dental chair is disassembled so tubing and other components can be replaced, reupholstered, and painted before being reassembled and offered for sale
Retailer: Choose an equipment seller that specializes in dental offices and that has your best interests in mind—someone focused on how your choices best fit your budget and your office.
Warranty: A five-year manufacturer’s warranty is common on new equipment. For a refurbished dental chair, a reputable reseller will provide a 1-year warranty and options for an extended warranty.
Servicing: Your dental chair may need an occasional tune-up. Look for retailers with a network of dental technicians to help with installation and service and be sure the seller offers telephone and online support.
