Until a few years ago, the trend in the dental sector was to fit out dental practices with the classic “all-in-one” dental unit comprising a chair, water supply unit, instrument console, suction arm and lamp – all interconnected and assembled together.
Recently, there has been a significant reversal of the trend and so-called “stand-alone” chairs are gaining popularity with dentists throughout the world.
The concept has been in vogue for some time in the United States and, recently, thanks to the advantages and versatility, it is gradually gaining ground in the rest of the world.
Hygiene: the main strategic aspect linked to the growth of stand-alone chairs
Today more than ever, in the time of Covid-19, hygiene plays a key role in everyday activities, but it obviously has a vitally important role in the world of medicine and healthcare.
The decision to eliminate the water supply unit and, therefore, the spittoon, and replace them with smarter and more hygienic solutions is a consolidated trend in markets with American imprinting, but it is now increasingly the institutions, e.g. ministries of health / trade associations etc., that are encouraging this type of set-up.
The stand-alone dental chair will therefore become the focal point of the operating room around which the accessories will be arranged: ceiling lamp, wall-mounted/mobile suction unit and lateral/garage organisation of instruments.
The new frontiers of dentistry drive investment in stand-alone chairs
The global aspiration to be beautiful is clearly affecting the medical and dental sector in which, today more than ever, we are seeing a trend towards aesthetic medicine.
Teeth whitening / fillers / botox / digital intraoral scanning, etc. are increasingly in demand throughout the world and do not require the use of, or the investment in, an all-in-one dental unit.
The challenge is to create, wherever possible, separate rooms for these treatments, fitted out in the most essential way possible with a stand-alone chair, ceiling lamp and a handful of other specific complementary accessories so as to leave the all-in-one unit available for more standard dental procedures.
Considering the extremely high profit margin of aesthetic dentistry, the investment involved in fitting out these rooms can be amortised in just a few cosmetic treatments.
In the same way, there has been a growing trend in outpatient dental surgery mainly related to implant dentistry. Likewise, in this case the main element of the operating room will be the chair, which in this specific case must be particularly technical and have specific characteristics such as: slow mode function for super-slow, extremely precise positioning, Trendelenburg anti-shock position, reclined position, fire-resistant, anti-static, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial lining, seam-free upholstery with high density memory foam, stainless steel console, side instrument racks, etc.
Obviously, an operating scialytic light, independent suction unit, stools with hands-free height adjustment device, mobile trolleys, dedicated instrument kit, etc. will also be necessary
A new challenge for dentistry: fitting out increasingly smaller spaces without forgoing design and the creation of a reassuring environment for the patient
It is well known that sector architects are increasingly faced with the challenge of fitting out increasingly small medical practices, above all in big cities.
Undoubtedly, minimalism and essentiality have had a real impact in recent years also in healthcare and medicine: in this case the trend is to design surgeries around the stand-alone chair which thus becomes the heart of the space, with the capacity to expand the perception of space thanks to the clean and essential design. In this light, the room will be fitted out with a ceiling light, wall-mounted or cabinet suction unit, independent lateral or garage organisation of instruments.
It is clear that this type of clean and minimal set up will certainly have a positive and reassuring impact on patients, both paediatric and adult, who think that going to the dentist is a form of torture. Thanks to the fact that when entering the room the focus will mainly be on the chair, which must therefore be comfortable and welcoming, and that the instrument console is out of view, they will not feel so afraid or oppressed. The instruments will therefore be moved closer only when the patient is seated comfortably in the chair.
Stand-alone chairs: economic advantages, versatility, style
Last but not least, it is clear to see how the above, especially in the light of new trends in aesthetic prosthetic and implant dentistry, is also interesting for professionals in economic terms.
Choosing a stand-alone chair for these treatments, that are increasingly in demand, means opting for a streamlined, versatile and stylish solution without having to occupy the all-in-one unit that can continue to be used for standard dental treatments.
Tecnodent offers a wide range of “chaise longue” and “knee break” stand-alone dental and medical chairs, all perfectly symmetrical and able to fully satisfy the most demanding professionals, as well as the new market trends.
For more information, do not hesitate to contact us.
