When Is The Right Time To Have Your Dental Chairs Serviced?

When it comes to servicing dental chairs, how often does this needs to be done? Is it necessary to have it checked on a regular basis? Keeping your dental chairs in good condition is vital for your patient's safety and the overall look of your dental practice.

The answer to this question depends on numerous factors, such as the type of dental chairs you have and how often they are used. However, in general, it is a good idea to have your dental chairs serviced at least 1-2 times a year. These factors influence the frequency of servicing dental chairs:

• The type of dental chair being used
• The frequency of use
• The dental chair's materials
• The environment in which the chairs are being used

Dental Chair Type: Electric Vs. Manual

There are two types of dental chairs: electric and manual. Electric dental chairs tend to require more servicing than manual chairs because they have more moving parts. This includes the motors, gears, and levers.

If your dental practice predominantly uses electric dental chairs, it is recommended to have them serviced every four to six months. Otherwise, your dental chair servicing schedule should be at six to twelve-month intervals if you use manual chairs.

Frequency Of Use

The frequency of the dental chair being used will influence how often it needs to be serviced. The more frequently that a dentist uses the dental chairs, then the more wear and tear on the equipment. For a dental practice with chairs that are being used the entire day, it is recommended to have them serviced every four to six months.

If the chairs are used for a couple of hours per day, then they can be serviced once every year. Servicing not only keeps the chairs in good condition but can also help prevent any unnecessary downtime. When there's downtime, it can affect the workflow of your entire dental practice.

Dental Chair Materials

The material that a dental chair is made from also influences how often it should be serviced. The more durable the materials are, the less often they will need to be serviced. If the dental chair is made from plastic or metal, this can last longer and won't require servicing as frequently compared to chairs made with wood or leather materials.

Leather and wooden materials are more susceptible to wear and tear, so they will need to be serviced more often. In a moist environment like a dental practice, leather can also deteriorate quickly.

The Environment In Which Chairs Are Used

For dental practices, the environment in which the chairs are used will determine how often they need to be serviced. A dental office that is humid or has high temperatures can cause damage to some of the parts more quickly than a a dental practice with low humidity and cooler air.

If your chairs cushions, armrests or even headrests tend to get wet, then this also increases the risk of damage, and they will need to be serviced more often. The same goes with dental practices with children as their primary patients. Chairs that are used by children tend to get more wear and tear and will need to be serviced more often.

Signs That A Dental Chair Needs To Be Serviced

Some common signs indicate that a dental chair needs servicing. These include:

• The sound of the motor is strange or makes weird noises.
• The chair isn't moving as smoothly as it used to.
• The armrests, headrests, or other parts aren't staying in place.
• The chair is difficult to move or requires more effort to push.
• There are visible signs of damage.

Summary

Dental chairs are an integral part of your practice. If your dental chair is not working properly, you may be missing out on potential patients or, at the least, experience increased downtime that can disrupt workflow throughout the rest of your practice. Servicing these pieces regularly will keep them in good condition and help avoid costly repairs later down the line.

It is also important to consider the environment where they will be used, how often they are being used, and the type of chair when scheduling a service. By following these guidelines, your dental chairs should last for years to come.