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INTRODUCTION

DENTAL CHAIR AND PATIENT POSTIONS
OPERATOR POSITIONS
OPERATING STOOLS
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS .
HISTORY


1790 was a big year for dentistry, as this was also the year the first specialized dental chair was invented. It was made from a wooden chair with a headrest attached.


Until a few decades ago , most dental procedures were performed with patient seated upright and dentist standing next to patient ,this prolonged period caused musculoskeletal disorders for dentists.
INTRODUCTION

Modern dental chairs are designed to provide total body support in any chair position. The patient head is supported by a head rest cushion which elevates the chin and thus reducing strain on neck A patient who is in a comfortable position is more relaxed, has less muscular tension and is more capable of cooperating with the dentist.
Dental chair and patient position


The choice of patient position varies with the operator, the type of procedure, and the area of the mouth involved in the operation. For operative dental procedures , the patient may be seated in one of the following positions: Upright position Almost supine Reclined 45 degrees


This is the initial position of chair from which further adjustments are made

In this position the chair is tilted so that the patient is almost in a lying down postureThe patient’s head ,knees and feet are approximately at the same levelPatient’s head should not be lower than feet except in case of syncopal attack ALMOST SUPINE POSITION:


In this position the chair is reclined at 45 degrees so that when the patient is seated, the mandibular occlusal surfaces are almost at 45 degrees to the floor Once the treatment is over the chair is brought back to upright position so that the patient can leave the chair easily
2. RECLINED 45 DEGREE POSITION:

Operator position:

Operator position:
Usually sitting position is preferred in modern dentistry to relieve stress on operator's leg and support the operator's back.

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Operator position

The level of teeth being treated should be placed at same level as the level of operator's elbow. Forearm parallel to the floor Thighs parallel to the floor Hip angle of 90 degrees Seat height positioned low enough so that the heels of your feet touch the floor


Right front or 7’o clock positionRight or 9’o clock positionRight rear or 11’o clock positionDirect rear or 12’oclock positionLEFT HANDED OPERATOR'S POSITIONS , 5 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 1 o'clock . FOR A RIGHT HANDED OPERATOR:
OPERATING POSITIONS



RIGHT HANDED OPERATOR—3 PREFERRED POSITIONS LEFT HANDED OPERATOR—3 PREFERRED POSITIONS 7 O’CLOCK 5 O’CLOCK 9 O’CLOCK 3 O’CLOCK 11 O’CLOCK 1 O’CLOCK *

RIGHT FRONT OR 7’O CLOCK POSITIONThis is convenient for examination and working on theMandibular anterior teeth Mandibular right posterior teeth Maxillary anterior teeth

RIGHT OR 9’O CLOCK POSITION The operator is directly to the right of the patients.The position is convenient for operating on the Facial surface of the maxillary & mandibular right posterior teeth Occlusal surface on mandibular right posterior teeth .

RIGHT REAR OR 11’O CLOCK POSITIONPosition of choice for most operations.Most areas of mouth are accessible and can be viewed directly or indirectly using a mouth mirror.The dentist sits to the right and slightly behind the patient and the left arm is positioned around the patient’s headWORKING AREAS INCLUDE:Palatal and incisal surfaces of maxillary teeth (indirect vision)Mandibular teeth, particularly on the left side (direct vision).

DIRECT REAR OR 12’OCLOCK POSITIONHere the dentist sits directly behind the patient and looks down over the patient’s headThis position is mainly used only for working on lingual surfaces of mandibular and maxillary anterior teeth.

The design of the stool is important. It should be sturdy and well balanced to prevent tipping/gliding away from dental chair It should be well padded with cushion edges and should be adjusted up and down A well designed stool increases operator comfort and reduces fatigue
Operator stools:

The operator should be well illuminated either by natural or artificial light. If the light is kept too close , it impairs the physical movement of operator & also increases patient discomfort due to heat production. If the light is kept far away, it reduces the illumination. As a rule for mandibular arch the light is kept in a higher position & for maxillary arch it is kept in a lower position.
LIGHTING;

The patient’s head should be rotated according to need of operator without hesitation During working maxillary occlusal surfaces should be perpendicular to the floor and for mandibular occlusal surface should be 45 degreesThe operator should maintain space between the patient as while reading a book General Considerations:


There should be reduced contact with patientThe operator should never rest his hand on patient’s faceThe chest of patient should never be used as trays to keep instrumentsThe left hand should be kept free to retract using the mouth mirror


All instrument exchanges between the operator and assistant should occur in the exchange zone below the patient’s chin and several inches above the patient’s chest.Instruments should not be exchanged over the patient’s face.Any sharp instrument should be exchanged very carefullyEach person should be sure that the other has a firm grasp on the instrument before it is released.

Magnification achieved with either surgical loupes or dental microscopes enlarges the operating site. Both allow the clinician to visualize features not otherwise perceptible to the naked eye.

The Benefits Of Magnification Magnified Image Brilliant Illumination Better Posture and Improved Comfort Increasing Accuracy Improved Dental Care Additional Treatment Options