When opening a dental office, one of many pieces of equipment you will need includes dental chairs. You will need a dental chair for each exam room. If your office will perform oral surgery you may need a specialized dental chair for that purpose. If your office will treat children or perform orthodontics, specialized chairs suit those purposes too. All such exam chairs represent a major capital expense for your practice.

Fortunately, you have many options. You can buy dental chairs directly from manufacturers or distributors of dental equipment. Some companies offer used dental chairs for sale, which can save your office considerable expense. A third option involves leasing equipment, which lowers your overhead costs and allows you to use the latest models.

Try making the most of dental chairs by completing the following actions:

1. Search dental chair makers for the best deals in dental equipment

2. Decide whether buying used dentist chairs can serve your needs

3. Look for leasing options on dental chairs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work directly with dental chair manufacturers for the latest technology

Dental equipment manufacturers have many dentist chairs for sale that can meet your needs. Some sell directly, while others only work with distributors or retailers. Buying new dentist chairs offers some amenities such as warranties and repair service.

I recommend: Boyd Industries makes a variety of medical and dental chairs. This company makes patient chairs specifically for children. Boyd also makes chairs for oral surgery and orthodontics. Adec makes several types of dental chair, and also designs chairs in custom colors and offers a helpful tool for selecting comforting colors for your office. Making of the most of dental chairs includes creating a relaxing atmosphere for your nervous patients.

Investigate the possibility of buying used dental chairs

With the high cost of medical equipment, there are many businesses that refurbish used dental chair equipment for resale. These companies meticulously inspect used equipment for serviceability and safety before offering products for re-sale. Buying used dental chairs can save your office money while still ensuring patient comfort.

I recommend: Production Engineering - Medical Equipment Division sells a variety of refurbished dental chairs. The company carries models from several different manufacturers including Adec and Chayes-Virginia. Dental Equipment Liquidators sells used dental chairs. The company carries patient chairs, surgical chairs and orthopedic chairs. Dental offers a one-year warranty on its equipment.

Save money by leasing rather than searching for deals on dental chairs for sale

You have the alternative of leasing dental chairs. Leasing offers the advantage of staying up on the latest technology and using more expensive equipment without a huge capital outlay. Don't skimp on patient comfort.

I recommend: Ozarks Capital Funding provides medical and dental practice loans. The company specializes in providing leasing of dental equipment purchases, including dental chairs. Crest Capital has 20 years experience in equipment financing, and in particular, dental equipment. Crest finances dental chairs, x-ray equipment and other dental equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying dental chair equipment, consider the needs of your patients as well as your finances. Certain chairs offer more bells and whistles but may not feel comfortable. Consider ergonomic factors of the chair when selecting it, as well as the overall comfort of the room by selecting soothing colors for your dental chair equipment. Most people consider going to the dentist one of their least favorite tasks. Help them dread it less by providing a friendly office environment.

Perhaps no piece of equipment is as crucial to a dentist as a dental chair. Technology for dental chairs has come a long way since the days when your dentist needed to raise and lower the chair by manually pumping a foot pedal. Memory foam upholstery, massage controls, hydraulics and double-articulating headrests are just a few modern options now available in many dental chairs for sale.

As manufacturers continue to design dental chairs and add options with patient comfort, ease of use and practicality for the dentist in mind, it has become more challenging to make a simple decision when it comes to choosing dental chairs.

Which dental chair you choose depends largely on your budget, treatment style and patient base. With many models and feature options available, there's a dental chair to suit each dentist's individual needs. If you're starting up a dental practice or remodeling your office, consider the following before selecting dental chairs:

1. Research dental chairs, dental chair makers and dealers before making a purchase.

2. Decide whether you need the most expensive dental chair with all the bells and whistles or a less expensive model.

3. Realize that used dental chairs are an option, providing a fully efficient and affordable alternative to new equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick and choose, then call in the dental chair experts

There are a variety of older and newer manufacturers offering many different types and models of dental chairs. Decide on everything from ergonomic design to upholstery. You can deal directly with a manufacturer or find a dental equipment dealer near you.

I recommend: Patterson Dental/Dentaire, a subsidiary of Patterson Dental, one of America's most trusted dental suppliers, sells dental chairs from a number of reputable manufacturers. Compare types and manufacturers of dental chairs at Dentalcompare. They offer a detailed description of a variety of makes and models. Contact a supplier such as KAB Dental, which offers a wide selection of dental chairs from most manufacturers.

Wow your patients with high-tech dental chair equipment

When it comes to dental chairs, you can choose the equivalent of a Cadillac or a Hyundai. Some dentists might prefer a relatively inexpensive, simple chair that performs the basic movements and has a standard headrest, but cutting edge dentists and their patients prefer more sophisticated models with features like unlimited programmable positioning and armrest-mounted operation touchpads.

I recommend: A-dec Inc. is a leading technological innovator in dental chair manufacturing and offers streamlined chairs ideal for patient relaxation and ease of use. Belmont is a familiar name in the dental equipment manufacturing arena, as well, and features chairs designed with patient comfort in mind. If you're looking for experience, Pelton & Crane has been in the dental industry for over 100 years, and offers a wide range of high-end dentist chairs for sale, complete with features like massage and ergonomic design.

Consider used or leased dental chairs for your new dental office

Save some money by starting off with refurbished or used dental chairs. Leasing is a viable option over purchasing the equipment outright. Either way, choosing one of these less traditional options can help reduce your practice's startup costs.

I recommend: Look for used or refurbished dental chairs at Independent Dental Inc. Turn to GCR Capital if you decide to lease rather than buy dental chairs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Dental equipment suppliers usually have a showroom displaying different types of dental chairs. Visit a local supplier and try out the dentist chairs yourself to note firsthand which one might work best for your practice.

Perhaps no piece of equipment in your dental office is as vital as dentist chairs, and you'll benefit from using the best dental chairs supplies and equipment available. Whether you intend to buy dental chairs new or purchase used dental chairs, take advantage of the many supplies and equipment that will make your job easier and each patient's stay in the dental chair more comfortable.

From dental chair equipment, such as mountable delivery systems, overhead lights and operation controls, to upholstery supplies, you'll find there's plenty to choose from when you begin shopping for dental chairs for sale. Here are a few dental chairs supplies and equipment options to consider from most dental chair makers and distributors:

1. Decide if delivery systems that mount to dentist chairs are for you.
2. Look at foot controls or chair-mountable controls to operate your dentist chair.
3. Select the right upholstery when you choose dentist chairs for sale.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Have your handpieces and drills right at your dental chair

While some dentists have portable delivery systems or systems mounted to cabinets, some might prefer chair-mounted delivery systems. These can make for ease of use as they are most accessible when having a patient in the chair. Many new delivery systems offer ergonomically-enhanced functions for the widest range of motion and the very best in comfort.

I recommend: Summit Dental Systems has a variety of dental chair delivery systems, many with cuspidor and even telescoping assistant's arms, three or four handpiece selections, water controls and instrument trays. A-dec, among the leaders in dental chair makers, offers chair-mounted delivery systems with extended handpiece tubing, controls for curing lights and camera and even a system that rotates around the chair.

Operate your dentist chair by foot or chair-mounted controls

In the old days, dentist had to use manually controlled foot pedals to lower and tilt dental chairs. Today, you can operate your dental chair with electronic controls. These controls can be in the form of foot-control devices or touch pads attached directly to the dentist chair.

I recommend: See how you can operate your dental chair by foot control, touch pad or dual controls at Dansereau Health Products. Four Star Dental Service has a dual activating foot control complete with two programmable and two pre-programmable chair positions and full movement control.

Seat your patients in style with the best in dental chair upholstery

Whether you're buying new dental chairs or repairing or upgrading older chairs, you'll find upholstery is a key component to dental chairs supplies and equipment. The latest in dentist chair upholstery offers everything from ergonomic designs and plush comfort to stain and bacteria resistant material.

I recommend: You'll find upholstery for your dental chair in a variety of colors and styles, including seamless, with seams or buttons, and plush, at Upholstery Packages & Services. Sirona, a dental equipment manufacturer, offers the latest in dental chair upholstery, Ultraleather and Naugasoft, in a wide selection of colors.

Dental chairs are an expensive -- albeit very necessary -- capital expense for your dental practice, and shopping for them requires a working knowledge of dental chairs key terms. Of all of the bells and whistles you'll find on various dental chairs, the most important qualities to keep in mind are patient comfort and ease of use for the operator.

Whether you're remodeling your existing dental office or furnishing a new one, there are many options to keep in mind when shopping for dental chairs. Here are a few of the most popular types of dental chairs:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Dental chair

A dental chair is a chair the patient sits in while being tended to by a dentist or dental assistant. Dental chairs have come a long way over the years, with operator access and patient comfort driving the evolution.

I recommend: Visit A-dec to view and learn about the progressive features of some of the most ergonomic dental chairs available today.

Oral surgery chair

Oral surgery chairs are designed so that the operator has a multitude of options for patient access using various positions and angles.

I recommend: Get a feel for what an oral surgery chair looks like and learn about both standard and optional features available at DRE.

Orthodontic chair

Orthodontic chairs typically are very simple and designed to offer unobstructed access to the patient. They generally are armless and have narrow backrests.

I recommend: Ross Orthodontic offers a selection of standard orthodontic chairs.

Pediatric bench

A pediatric bench is a horizontal bench often used in pediatric applications in place of a traditional dental chair.

I recommend: See a pediatric bench, and read about its features and benefits, at Boyd Industries.

X-ray exam chair

X-ray exam chairs are designed to provide patient comfort while ensuring the operator can easily get the necessary x-rays. Although it's similar in appearance to traditional dental chairs, the x-ray exam chair has fewer features that are highly specialized for x-ray applications.

I recommend: Take a look at the x-ray exam chair at Crown Seating.

Portable patient chair

Portable patient chairs are designed to be easily transported from place to place. They're lighter and have fewer bells and whistles than traditional dental chairs.

I recommend: Head over to KAB Dental to see the selection of portable patient chairs, including a new lightweight model that folds up like a beach chair and a "backpack" version.