Deemed a DPS Product for its unique hydraulic movement and space-saving design, the Traverse Chair by Engle allows dentists to work comfortably and ergonomically
As one of the first dentists in the country to own both an intraoral camera and a surgical microscope, it's safe to say that Dr. Randy Shoup has spent his career on the cutting edge of dental technology. And while it has certainly kept his passion for dentistry going strong for over 30 years, he credits his dental chair for keeping him off a different cutting edge: early retirement.
"I didn't realize it at the time, but most dentists practice with some form of neck, back, shoulder, and hip pain, and that's because of their ergonomic position," shared Dr. Shoup. "I was drawn to Engle's Traverse Chair because it allowed me to achieve perfect ergonomic positioning for myself without needing to bend over, while also providing optimal positioning for the patient. That's really unique."
A fully programmable, 10.25-inch forward/backward hydraulic dental chair, the Traverse Chair allows dentists to position themselves behind the patient comfortably without sacrificing space.
“Many dentists will bend over and ask patients to tilt their head back, which can contort their spine and put their muscles out of whack,” said Dr. Shoup. “The Traverse Chair allows me to position the patient’s head a little lower than other chairs so that it's slightly downhill. Then, I can easily see the upper arch, which can be challenging to work on.”
Prioritizing Patient Comfort and Dentists' Health
The Traverse Chair’s dynamic, double-articulating head-rest supports patients’ head and neck, keeping them comfortable during every stage of recline, while an anatomically correct back pivot point and lumbar support protect the natural curve of the patient’s back when seated.
“Patients always tell me, ‘This is the most comfortable chair you've ever had,'" said Dr. Shoup. "Everything about it is great for the patient, especially the back support and the length, which means taller patients’ feet won’t hang off the edge of the chair."
He added, “The Traverse Chair has a very narrowed head position, so the dentist can work on the patient anywhere from around 11 to 12 o'clock. And right at the patient's elbow, just beyond the dentist's knee, the chair flares out and gives amazingly good arm support."
Made in the United States using patented technology, the Traverse Chair employs advanced hydraulic movement to easily accommodate patients of varying heights by sliding toward the toe or the head. “That's really nice, particularly for the dental assistant, because she's not being pulled out of position," noted Dr. Shoup. "Engle's Traverse Chair puts patients in the best position possible to minimize the damage of improper posture. This makes all the difference in the world when it comes to the health of the dentist.”
