All dental chairs are designed to provide patient comfort while making a dentist’s job easier with reclining and elevation functions. A standard dental chair will be made to support a patient’s weight however not all dental chairs are designed to safely support plus-size patients. Bariatric dental chairs are specifically designed with reinforcement and hydraulic controls to ensure that the clinical staff can safely treat patients who are bariatric or have reduced mobility down to their weight.
What is a dental chair?
For a dentist to properly provide treatment, it’s essential for the patient to be reclined. Dental chairs are designed to be adjusted between being upright to a comfortable, reclined position while elevated enough for the dentist to gain good access to the teeth and gums being treated. Dental chairs have been in use from as far back as the 18th century where the first wooden chair was developed by an American dentist, Dr Josiah Flagg, who adapted his writing chair to make life easier when treating his patients. Different design features have since been added. The electronic dental chair used in dental patients around the world was patented by Dr Naughton in the 1960’s and is still in use today.
What is a bariatric dental chair?
At Design Specific, we specialise in creating benches and treatment chairs for bariatric and special needs patients so that they have better access to the treatment they need. Our chairs offer a range of features and benefits that enhance the patient experience, providing comfort, security and flexibility. We ensure that our products are adaptable to the clinical setting, making our chairs suitable for dentistry and podiatry.
Design Specific’s Bariatric Dental Treatment Chairs has a weight capacity of up to 1000 lbs. These chairs are equipped with advanced features such as powered height adjustment, tilt, and backrest controls, allowing for seamless and efficient patient positioning. With secure reinforcement in the frame, the chairs are built to offer total support to all areas of the body. With removable arm rests and adjustable parts, staff can easily reposition and adjust the patient safely, making sure that they are comfortable for the duration of their treatment.
Built with a reinforced frame in addition to advanced engineering, bariatric dental chairs make sure patients feel secure while being treated. Able to adjust and manoeuvre the patient while seated, the chairs provide the dentist with safe access, allowing them to elevate, lower, recline and tilt the patient. This increased stability benefits the patient and factors in their ergonomics so that their weight is evenly distributed, ensuring comfort. By reducing the strain on practitioners’ bodies, these chairs can help prevent work-related injuries and contribute to a more efficient and productive practice. All health professionals who handle bariatric patients should undergo the relevant training to limit any incidents that could impact their health as well as the patients.
Outfitting a dental practice with bariatric chairs improves accessibility to patients who otherwise struggle to find treatment. By catering to the needs of patients with special needs, dental clinics show that they are committed to giving all patients the same level of care regardless of any disabilities and restrictions to their mobility. Having the facility to treat bariatric patients could lead to more referrals as you have the means to treat patients who require more specialist treatment in a more secure environment. This can lead to increased patient loyalty, positive word-of-mouth referrals, and a more successful and thriving practice. investing in bariatric dental treatment chairs is a wise decision for dental practices looking to enhance patient satisfaction, improve practice efficiency, and bolster their reputation in the industry.
What are the differences between a standard dental chair and a bariatric dental chair?
1. Weight Capacity
A standard dental chair will be able to support most average-sized patients without any difficulty. Adaptable for children and adults, they adjust electronically for the dental practitioner to their requirements. Standard dental chairs typically have weight capacities ranging from 300 to 400 pounds (136 to 181 kilograms).
Bariatric dental chairs are specifically designed for patients who exceed the weight limits of standard chairs and who require more space to be suitability supported. These chairs can support around up to 1000 pounds or even more, depending on the model.
2. Size and Dimensions
Bariatric dental chairs are generally wider and sturdier compared to standard chairs to comfortably support larger patients.Standard dental chairs are designed with dimensions suitable for average-sized patients, providing adequate support and comfort within that range.
3. Construction and Materials:
Bariatric dental chairs are constructed with heavy-duty materials and reinforced frames to withstand the increased weight and ensure stability and safety for larger patients. Standard dental chairs may not have the same level of reinforcement or heavy-duty materials since they are designed for patients within a typical weight range.
4. Adjustability
Both standard and bariatric dental chairs offer various adjustable features such as height adjustment, reclining capability, and headrest adjustments to provide optimal positioning for dental procedures. Bariatric dental chairs may have additional adjustments or modifications to accommodate the unique needs of larger patients. Arm rests will be removable to help position the patient safely. The back rest will also be adjustable to accommodate the gluteal shelf.
Book an in-house demonstration with Design Specific
The best way to trial our bariatric treatment chairs is in person. We can arrange a free, no obligation demonstration at a location that suits you. We feel that this is the very best way for us to check if your clinic has the correct requirements for bariatric dentistry. You can explore our range of bariatric seating on our website. If you have any questions about what we offer, you can contact a member of our team on +44 (0) 1273 813904. If you’re interested in booking for a trial, you can reach out to us here.
