How Chair Shape Affects Clinician Reach and Comfort in Dentistry

(photo courtesy of Midmark Dental)

When we think about dental ergonomics, we often focus on our posture, equipment, or instruments. But one major factor we work around all day—literally—is the patient chair. Its design can either help protect your body or contribute to chronic strain, depending on a few key features. This short post will go over ideal patient chair features, and options for when investing in a new one isn't an option.

Let’s start with the backrest.

One of the most common ergonomic mistakes is choosing a chair with a thick, cushy back. While it might feel luxurious to the patient, it encroaches into your neutral zone, forcing you to elevate your arms and shoulders to work. This leads to muscle fatigue and long-term discomfort. Instead, opt for a thin, contoured backrest that allows you to get closer to the patient and maintain better shoulder alignment.

(photo courtesy of Midmark Dental)

Next, consider the shape of the chair near the headrest. The ideal chair narrows toward the top, creating room for your body, your assistant, and your legs to position comfortably around the patient.

Chairs with wide backs or “wings” may look high-end but often create significant ergonomic challenges. These bulky designs make it nearly impossible to get close enough, leading to leaning, twisting, and awkward body mechanics.

If you’re working with one of these chairs and can’t replace it, a saddle stool may help. It allows you to get closer to the patient, maintain a more open hip angle, and easily switch between sitting and standing. It’s not a perfect fix, but it can make a big difference. Also, be sure to do your microbreaks with this design to oxygenate your muscles.

(photo courtesy of Midmark Dental)

Finally, don’t overlook the headrest. An articulating headrest is essential for optimizing occlusal plane positioning—critical for reducing neck and back strain during treatment. Adjustability allows for better patient alignment and better operator posture.

Making Existing Chairs More Comfortable

We can't always replace our existing patient chairs, but there are ways to make them more comfortable. Adding patient support cushions to our existing chairs can increase patient comfort (especially with those older chairs), which will also help us with positioning.

I always use a cervical cushion which is a game-changer for proper occlusal plane positioning, and at times I will also use a knee lift or lumbar cushion depending on my patients needs. For those older chairs, a full overlay pad can make all the difference! This is a great upgrade to your existing chair when purchasing a new one isn't an option.

Want to learn more about ergonomics in the op? I have video-based on-demand courses that walk you through techniques, tools, and visual examples to make your day easier—and your body happier.