Ergonomic Comfort
The design process behind an innovative dental chair
Drill, syringe, suction device – the thought of a visit to the dentist arouses unpleasant feelings in many people. The treatment can be painful, the treatment position uncomfortable. A pleasant environment can help put the patient in a relaxed state and create optimal working conditions for the doctor. This includes a comfortable dentist’s chair and ideally designed equipment and tools that make handling easier for the doctor, taking away the patient’s fear of an unpleasant visit to the dentist.
As a design studio, it is always particularly exciting to develop highly complex pieces of equipment such as a dental chair, since the structure consists of many individual components whose arrangement must be precisely coordinated. Giving the various functional elements a uniform and clear design was a welcome but challenging task for us: The design had to meet the highest ergonomics, precision, and reliability standards. In addition, the treatment chair had to be appealing and inviting to patients, it had to offer maximum comfort and at the same time function in a highly professional manner.
Precision for Premium Performance
Our client Morita, a Japanese company with a long tradition and history, is one of the most important international manufacturers of medical-technical products and is known for its strong focus on quality. The basis of our design is an intensive competitive analysis, expert discussions, and visits to dental practices and clinics both in Japan and in Europe. Equally essential for us is the analysis of the Morita brand itself. What is it all about, and how can we translate the unique corporate DNA into the product design? Clarity, reliability, and solidity – these values should also be reflected in the design of the product.
With our knowledge from the in-depth analyses, we dedicate ourselves to the ideation phase, in which we focused specifically on individual design elements such as the seat, the instrument table, the light, and the arm units. In workshops with the client, we test and evaluate technical solutions and weigh them against each other – such as the lifting screw and the harmonica lift for raising the chair. This phase concludes with the definition of a design direction. We then work closely with the engineers to improve the functionality, technology, and design of the chair in terms of the overall experience. As a result, we can work on the backrest, for example, with only one joint instead of two. This optimization phase also sees the creation of our motorized headrest for the premium version of the chair, which automatically tilts the patient’s head according to the dentist’s requirements, thus preventing tension in the neck. For children, we have added a flexible element to the headrest so that they can also use the chair comfortably.
Ergonomics and hygiene
Maximum attention has been paid to optimal ergonomics in the design, which is reflected in the arrangement of the easily accessible touchpoint components for the dentist and the rotating basin for the patient. The premium version is equipped with a motorized basin that moves automatically towards the patient. Variable height and tilt adjustments of the chair are relevant for the elderly and children, but also for surgical procedures that the doctor performs while standing. Movable and removable armrests and the adjustable doctor’s stool also simplify complicated treatments. Since hygiene plays an important role in dental practices, we had to avoid dirt traps on the entire unit in the design process and develop easily accessible, easy-to-clean surfaces. Equally important is the ease of maintenance and quick access to chair functions.
Finally, we develop 3D CAD models of the chair. Based on these 3D models, we can check the proportions, adjust the connections and further improve the ergonomics. We are also aiming to reduce manufacturing costs. In the final phase, our internal model construction team produces the chair as a 1:1 model from hard foam. We use this model for the final perfection of the shape and individual components, as this is difficult to assess on a computer monitor for a product of this size and complexity. A fully functional 1:1 prototype is then tested by the customer. Using rapid prototyping, we also produce individual injection molded parts to determine the colors and textures. The optimized prototype is finally produced as a small series in which we can test the manufacturing and assembly process.
Premium design in the highest quality
Today, our elegant and highly functional premium dentist chair is in use all around the world. With its materials and colors derived from interior furniture, clear geometry, and organic shapes, it creates a pleasant atmosphere in the treatment room. All important instruments are within reach for the dentist at all times, with maximum flexibility and intuitive operation. For individual needs, the dental unit can be configured in different versions. Following our philosophy, the dental chair combines innovative technologies with reduced design in the highest manufacturing quality. All while ensuring a comfortable, relaxed posture for the patient and, at the same time, efficient and smooth treatment for the dentist.
