About Dental Delivery Systems
What are dental delivery systems?
Dental delivery systems are designed to provide easy access to all of your instruments; hand-pieces, air/water syringes, vacuum and more. A delivery system is a key component in designing a great dental office. Most dental delivery systems come with an automatic activation for at least three of the handpieces, a self-contained waterline with asepsis tubing and purge system, airflow control and a control panel with wet and dry foot control. There are a variety of delivery systems to choose from; rear-delivery systems, side-delivery systems, over the patient delivery systems, and mobile delivery systems. Depending on the type of dentistry you’re are most comfortable with, we have a delivery system that will suit your needs.
Rear Delivery System
Rear Delivery Systems place all the dental instruments behind the patient. This frees up space for larger pieces of equipment in the dental room. Rear delivery is the least expensive way to connect to utilities, it also keeps equipment out of the patient’s view which minimizes the patient’s anxiety once dental procedures start. Rear delivery system works best when four-handed dentistry is practiced. Having an assistant who retrieves handpieces, transfers instruments and changes burs, which minimizes the need to extensively reach, twist, or lean to retrieve instruments from behind the patient’s head.
Pros
- Good for right handed and left handed dentists
- Construction costs for vacuum and air are typically less because they are plumbed to only one location, at the rear cabinet
- Most cost-effective equipment solution
- Less intimidating for the patient, as delivery system and handpieces are out of their sightline
- Instruments are out of the path of aerosol contamination of blood and saliva
Cons
- Ergonomic challenges can lead to increased stress on torsos of office staff during procedures due to twisting and turning to transfer instruments between hands.
- Foot control can be an obstruction for dental stool movement if not routed under floor
- Increased sensitivity to accuracy of chair placement, as doctor will require more room behind patient’s head to work
Side Delivery System
Side Delivery Systems are located beside the patient. These systems offer a very aesthetic look to the operatory room as the system can be stowed away under the cabinet. The side delivery system is not four-handed dentistry friendly, as it requires the dentist to pick up the handpiece without assistance, so the dentist must look away from the area of treatment, grab the instrument, and then refocus. Since the assistant can’t reach the instrument, productivity can be compromised.
Pros
- Used in shorter treatment rooms as it requires no extra space at toe of chair.
- Ergonomically sound option for doctors who sit close to 12 o’clock position on oral cavity
- Aesthetically a very clean look and can stow away delivery system under cabinet
Cons
- Does not provide left and right option
- Vertical high movement limitations due to mounting location on side cabinet
- Foot control can be an obstruction for dental stool and technology movement, if not routed under floor
- Continental delivery unit not available in this option
Over the Patient Delivery System
Over the patient delivery systems allow the dentist to move without obstruction around the patient’s head from the 8 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position. The system is placed over the chest of the patient, making handpieces and other instruments very easy to reach for both the dentist and the assistant. Being in plain view and in proximity of the patient, this system can be easily bumped making it highly undesirable for child offices.
Pros
- Right and left capable
- Ergonomically friendly
- Options for continental or traditional delivery unit
- Most common delivery method used in schools – most likely you are already familiar with the over-the-patient layout
- Provides expanded vertical range, which lends itself to standup dentistry
Cons
- Aesthetically intimidating for patients, with instruments being placed directly in front of patients
- Can add length to treatment room to allow movement of delivery arm around toe of chair
