5 Considerations for Choosing a Dental Delivery Unit

As the central hub for the tools used during patient care, your dental delivery system is one of the most invaluable pieces of equipment in the operatory. From handpieces and ultrasonic scalers to air/water syringes and high-volume evacuation, delivery units provide air, water, suction, and low-voltage electrical power to the vital instruments and accessories used in virtually every dental procedure.

What’s more, being a core piece of treatment room equipment, delivery systems have a substantial impact on the design of your workspace—and, by extension, your ability to work efficiently and comfortably. Any way you look at it, dental delivery units are instrumental to safe, successful dentistry, so great consideration should be given to selecting a system. While it’s important to find a solution that fits your budget, there are a handful of other key criteria to keep in mind when looking for the perfect delivery system for your practice.

1. Configuration & Compatibility

An ideal dental delivery unit should be a seamless fit with your treatment room, never in the way or out of reach. In turn, you can start your search by assessing some of the different delivery system configurations and decide which design is most compatible with the size and layout of your operatory:

• Chair Mount: Also known as over-the-patient systems, in this configuration, the delivery unit hovers over the patient via an arm attached to the dental chair base or a box to the side of the chair. Chair-mounted delivery units generally come in 2 variations: pivot and fixed, with pivoting being more widely used.

• Cabinet or Wall Mount: These systems commonly feature a rear dental delivery unit configuration mounted under a cabinet or countertop behind the patient chair. In smaller operatories and dental schools, you might see a side delivery system where the unit is mounted to a cabinet or counter at the side of the room.

• Mobile: Cart-mounted delivery units receive electricity and air through an umbilical tube attached to the cabinet or wall and can be conveniently positioned by the clinician. There are also self-contained portable delivery systems that only require an electricity source and consist of a mobile case with a built-in air compressor, clean water system, air-driven and electric handpiece connections, along with essential dental instruments and accessories.

Many practices today opt for a chair-mounted pivot delivery unit thanks to its convenient, operator-friendly design. This configuration is also frequently sold as part of an all-in-one package, like the Forest Standard IC Pivot Chair Mount Package from DENTALEZ which includes a delivery unit, dental chair, LED light, and optional add-ons like assistant instrumentation and cuspidor. Alternatively, rear cabinet- or wall-mounted delivery units are a good choice when you’re in the process of building out new operatories or when you can’t easily supply utilities to a patient chair from under the floor. The Forest 7010 and Forest 7020 PRO Series delivery systems give you the flexibility to choose between a rear cabinet or wall mount, as well as a cart mount ideal for a larger treatment room. Finally, if you need to move a delivery unit between rooms or locations, self-contained portable systems can be indispensable.

2. Ergonomics & Accessibility

Musculoskeletal disorders are well-documented among dental professionals, with researchers finding that more than half of practitioners have experienced work-related pain or discomfort. Science has also shown us that the equipment used in dentistry has a significant effect on a clinician’s health and well-being, meaning ergonomics are paramount when it comes to choosing a dental delivery unit. In addition to allowing easy access to equipment without straining or taking your eyes off the patient, an ergonomically designed delivery system like the Forest 7020 PRO Series will let you work in a comfortable, neutral position, even during longer procedures.

3. Clinical Utility & Versatility

It’s also important to consider how your delivery system will be used and who will be using it. Chair mount pivot systems, for instance, are great for both 2- and 4-handed dentistry but may not be right for a specialist who requires additional handpieces and instruments. Conversely, a rear cabinet- or countertop-mounted unit offers enough real estate for more equipment but isn’t always well-suited to 2-handed dentistry. With side dental delivery systems, 4-handed dentistry is out of the question, and their fixed location limits usage by multiple practitioners with different clinical needs.

4. Patient Comfort & Perception

An often-overlooked aspect of dental delivery system selection is how your patients will feel about it. For a fearful patient, a hovering chair-mounted unit might seem confining and trigger their anxiety. However, a rear or cart mount system can have a psychological benefit for patients, as it can be placed out of their line of sight and won’t interfere with their ability to exit the chair. Aesthetics like design style and color are also worth thinking about—a sleek and stylish delivery unit that complements the treatment room can help create a more satisfying patient experience and inspire confidence your services.

5. Maintenance & Longevity

A dental delivery system may be in service for 10–20 years, so long-term performance is a definite consideration to account for. On one hand, you want a system that requires minimal maintenance and will stand the test of time. On the other, it’s a good idea to select a delivery unit that can accommodate new equipment and workflows down the line. DENTALEZ delivery systems are designed to give you the best of both worlds: they feature robust, high-quality components, a versatile array of designs and configurations, and a 5-year warranty for added peace of mind.

The Right Choice for Your Practice

In all, purchasing a new dental delivery system requires careful consideration of your options to ensure comfort and efficiency for you, your colleagues, and your patients. If you’d like to learn more about dental delivery systems and how to make the right decision for your practice, consult this helpful 2-part guide from DENTALEZ.