Dental Ergonomic Product Reviews
DENTAL OPERATOR STOOL REVIEWS
Product reviews are based on dental ergonomic consultations, clinical experience, and research in the areas of dental ergonomics, biomechanics, kinesiology and physiology.
The following article provides important information you should know prior to purchasing an operator stool.
Proper cylinder height, seat pan depth, seat tilt, backrest adjustability and waterfall edge are key to proper postural support and avoiding pain syndromes. The seat pan depth and cylinder height should allow you to maintain backrest contact with feet firmly on the floor, thighs sloping downward. Too short a cylinder can cause rounding of the low back, with subsequent low back pain. Movement is essential to musculoskeletal health--it is recommended that operators alternate between a chair with armrests and a saddle-style stool. Most vendors will let you trial the chair for at least 2 weeks. Click on chair models below to link to manufacturer. Prices are as of November 1, 2006.
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NEW! Orascoptic Bodyguard Chair
Tel: 800.369.3698
Retail Price: $845
Features:The new Orascoptic Bodyguard chair has replaced the old, larger backrest with a smaller backrest with convex, supportive lumbar support to improve posture. The evaluators agree the size and shape of this support is exceptional and extremely comfortable, as it fits the lumbar area very well and conforms to the natural spinal curves. Seat pan size (17"D, 17"W) works very well for medium to tall operators. Available in 3 cylinder heights and has synchronized tilt of seat and backrest. Movable, fixed armrests are highly adjustable in all planes, and stay fixed in place very well when knobs are tightened. Dentist evaluators especially like the stable aspect of the armrests.
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Brewer 9100B Series Stool
Tel: 800.558.8934
Retail Price: $1512
Features: A sleeker, smaller version of the previous, larger 9000B model. Lighter weight enables easier mobility in the operatory. Seatpan is shallower and well-suited for short to medium height operators. Evaluators rated the movable armrests as excellent. The stool features easy, synchronized tilt of seat and backrest with single lever, and cylinder is available in 3 heights. Works well for medium to tall operators. Notched seat helps gain closer access to patient chairs with small headrests. Backrest was rated fair in comfort, as the upper portion tended to push forward into the thoracic spine.
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Link Operator Chair
Tel: 800.424.5465
Retail Price: $680
Features: Shallow seat pan (14 1/2" D) makes this a good choice for shorter operators and also accommodates a wide hip girth (18"W). Cylinder is available in 3 heights. Features synchronized tilt of seat tilt and backrest. The swivel armrests move very freely with operator, and is well suited for hygiene. This stool is frequently used without armrests by many hygienists and in pedo/ortho offices. Prices decrease with quantity purchased. Website coming soon.
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Swedish Seating System by RGP
Tel: 800.522.9695
Retail Price: $752
Features: Highly contoured, bowl-shaped seat requires that the operator's buttocks fit the shape well, or else they tend to slide forward on it and lose contact with the backrest. I have found this fits a taller, slender body-type best. Synchronized tilting seat pan & backrest. If the seat does not fit well, ask to trial the alternate seat pan that is not so highly contoured. Armrests are hydraulic and telescope in/out. Many operators remove the hydraulic armrests or keep the left side only.
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The Health Chair
Tel: 505.797.3019
Retail Price: $1595
Features: Designed by a dentist, chair features two highly adjustable seatbacks to adjust the top of the back and the thoracic spine independently. Research shows frequent re-positioning of the back is healthy for static jobs. Chair size fits larger operators well. Larger size may be difficult for use in small operatories. Has highly adjustable armrests; no tilting seat pan.
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Global Microsurgeon Chair
Tel: 800.861.3585
Retail Price: $1050
Features: Designed to be used in conjunction with the Global microscope. Has tilting seat pan & backrest.
Armrests adjust up, down, in and out and in front of operator (when positioned in front of the operator, armrests encourage slouched posture with rounded shoulders).
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Crown Seating C30H Chair
Tel: 800.417.4122
Retail Price: $425
Features: An innovative hybrid between a traditional stool and saddle stool. Triangle-shaped seat allows operators to sit at an ergonomically correct angle with thighs angled downward-without the expense of a tilting seat pan. Evaluators rated the small backrest excellent in terms of ease of adjustment and comfort. Access and adjustability were also rated excellent. This stool is especially well-designed for shorter operators (ask for a short cylinder) and hygienists. The price is right!
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Dentech Advance Chair
Tel: 800.826.5004
Retail Price: $699
Features: Shortest cylinder adjusts down to 12" height to accomodate very short operators. Contoured seamless seatpan has a waterfall front. Backrest & seat tilt with one lever. Limited availability through dental suppliers.
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Crown Seating 80 Series Dental Stool
Tel: 800.417.4122
Retail Price: $1150
Features: Ergonomic saddle-style seat. Highly innovative design supports the operator during active sitting and while resting. Tilting seat and backrest are synchronized to move with the operator, preserving proper spinal alignment. Stool requires 20" of operating space around patient's head due to tilting backrest. Optional armrests are available.
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Royal RO44 Operator Chair
Tel: 425.743.0988
Retail Price: $620
Features: Shallow seatpan (14 1/2" D X 17" W) works well for many shorter dentists & hygienists. Seat & backrest tilt with one lever. Lumbar support size fits most operators well.
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OPERATOR SADDLE STOOLS
By increasing the hip angle, saddle stools allow the closest positioning to the patient, especially at the 8-9:00 positions. Pelvic positioning helps reduce low back strain and, by design, the saddle stool facilitates use of the deep postural stabilizing muscles. Excellent for small operatories, since they move around very easily.
For more information on the ergonomic benefits of saddle stools, read the article 'Saddle Stool in Dentistry' by sitting ergonomic specialist, Veli-Jussi Jalkanen.
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Scandex Saddle Stool
Tel: 888.245.1367
Retail Price: $498 - $559
Features: Medium width, highly padded tilting saddle is a comfortable combination that fits a majority of dental professionals well. Direct sales only.
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Bambach Saddle Stool
Tel: 800.328.2335
Retail Price: $645-$995
Features: Narrow, well padded tilting saddle seat fits operators with small frames well. Bambach now also offers a larger saddle seat to accomodate larger operators. Most evaluators found the optional backrest unnecessary--the size was quite large for most evaluators' lumbar spine.
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Salli Saddle Stool
Tel: 800.466.1341
Retail Price: $407 (Salli Pro), $587 (Salli Classic/Twin), $739 (Salli Multiadjuster)
Features: Wide, tilting saddle seat is also available in a split seat design (shown) to help improve comfort--especially for men. Additional padding for the stool is available upon request, however this manufacturer does not recommend thick padding as it may transfer the body weight away from the sit bones.
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