Features of a dental care unit as part of the user experience

Published 05.03.2025

The features of a dental care unit and their impact on user experience, ergonomics, and workflow efficiency.

Many dentists likely need to use two micromotors during treatment, but there are also times when a high-speed turbine would be more beneficial, given its significantly higher rotation speed compared to a micromotor.

At the same time, multiple users may share the same dental unit, each with their own preferences regarding turbines and micromotors. When both left-handed and right-handed dentists work with the same setup, no one is ever completely satisfied with the factory-installed configuration. This leads to reduced efficiency and forces clinicians to adapt their workflow rather than working in a way that feels natural to them.

Interchangeable instruments

are the future of modern dentistry. At the start of the day or before each patient, the user can decide which instruments to use and in what order—whether in the center, on the right, or on the left. A quick-release connector allows for easy repositioning: simply swap one instrument for another, replacing a turbine with a micromotor in seconds. Customizing the dental unit takes just a minute.

This flexibility also proves invaluable if a hose or instrument holder malfunctions. A backup device from the storage box can be put to use immediately, eliminating the need to wait for a service technician. Even if an instrument holder fails, the micromotor can be moved to a different position, allowing treatment to continue without interruption.

Using Instruments Without the Pull of Overhead Arms

Would an artist paint with a brush hanging from a rubber band? Of course not. Overhead arms (or "doriot arms") have their advantages—they help balance and stabilize instruments—but they’re not always the best solution for every procedure. When performing prolonged scaling, for example, optimal ergonomics require a pull-free environment.

Without the resistance of an overhead arm, the ultrasonic handpiece tip can more easily access subgingival areas and tight interproximal spaces. Keeping the handpiece upright, without backward pull, allows for faster, more precise work while reducing wrist strain. The same principle applies when using a micromotor, ensuring greater control and comfort during treatment.

Composite Filling Light Mode

Today, dental composites are widely used for restorations. However, under bright light, the material can set too quickly, leaving insufficient time to shape the filling.

The composite light mode is a functional feature of the curing light that adjusts the color tone and light wavelengths with just a flick of the wrist, slowing down the curing process. This provides the necessary extra time to shape the filling optimally for the patient’s bite, reducing the need for excessive polishing and ensuring a more precise and comfortable result.

Ergonomic Adjustments for the Patient Chair

When we talk about the ergonomics of a dental chair, it's not just about adjusting the backrest or raising the chair. While it’s crucial that both the dentist and dental assistant find a comfortable and ergonomic working position, it’s equally important that the patient feels comfortable in the chair. Let’s face it—most patients don’t enjoy procedures like scaling, fillings, or, especially, surgical treatments. But with the right adjustments to the dental chair, the patient’s experience can be significantly improved.

We all have different body types, and one key factor is the length of the back. If the backrest is non-adjustable, it becomes a compromise for everyone. For someone over 190 cm tall, lying back for half an hour in a chair designed for average-sized individuals can be incredibly uncomfortable.

The issue is even more pronounced for children, whose heads may not even reach the neck support. To address this, a specialized child position for the neck rest and a two-part pediatric cushion are essential solutions.

Patient Chair Comfort and Accessibility

The condition of patients can vary greatly, and dental care spans a lifetime. Older patients, in particular, may struggle to sit in the chair or get up from it. Having the option to tilt the seat forward significantly helps ease both sitting down and standing up. Additionally, being able to adjust the footrest to nearly a 90-degree angle can make it much easier to rise from the chair without requiring extra effort.

Many of these adjustments may seem small, and it's easy to say, "We've managed without them before." And yes, that’s true. However, long-term relationships with patients are built on attention to these details. For an elderly person, struggling to rise from the chair without assistance can affect their sense of dignity and self-worth.

Supportive armrests, which can be moved aside or even detached when needed, also provide much-needed assistance.
Have you ever considered the possibility of rotating the chair 45 degrees to the left or right? This could make it easier to accommodate a wheelchair in a small room and allow for better maneuverability, giving you more floor space toward the door and making patient access even more efficient.

Pneumatically operated brake for the instrument arm

Instrument trays typically have two types of adjustment mechanisms. The mechanical version relies on adjustments made during setup and maintenance. The range of motion is usually stiffer because setting it too loosely would prevent it from holding weight, causing the tray to slide down.

Pneumatically operated brake for the instrument arm, on the other hand, offer enhanced ergonomics. On both sides of the tray, there’s a small button that, when pressed, significantly lightens the range of motion.

The technical term for this is a pneumatic brake. Once you release the button, the tray locks in place at the position it was in when the button was let go.

The button is conveniently positioned in a natural spot, making it easy to press while holding onto the handle and adjusting the tray to the desired working position. This design improves both comfort and efficiency during procedures.