INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

KULLIYYAH OF DENTISTRY

PHASE 1 YEAR 1
BLOCK 4
2007/2008 Session
Course Code: DEN

Operative Dentistry

Function of dental unit

Prepared by

Dr.Shawfekar
Lecturer
Kulliyyah Of Dentistry
IIUM
Kuantan
The Function of Dental Unit.

Objectives:
1. To identify the special need of dental equipments.
2. To define and demonstrate how to maintain the oral cavity and the equipment utilized in treatment
of the oral cavity.

Outline:
1. The Dental Chair
2. Dental Stools
3. Dental Unit
4. Operating Light
5. Cabinetry
6. Sink
7. Dental X-Ray Unit
8. Small equipment
9. Dental Air Compressor

Dental Chairs
The dental is the centre of all clinical activity (Fig-1A,B, C, D). The chair is designed for the operator and the
assistant to work on the patient in the comfortable and efficient manner. The dental chair supports the patient’s
entire body, in either an upright, supine position (nose and knees on the same plane) or sub supine position
(the head lower than the feet). The dental chair is designed to accommodate both children and adults. It is also
control to move the chair up and dawn, recline the back rest, and raise the seat and a combination button that
automatically recline and raise the patient. The controls are either side o of the chair back or on the floor.

Fig-1A. 2 operatories.
 Figure-1B, Dental Chair with foot controls for adjusting chair.

Fig-1C. Dental chair with side controls for adjusting the chair.
Fig-1D. Dental chair with foot control.
Dental Stools
The dental stools are required by the operator and the assistant during most procedures. Ergonomic
studies have resulted in the improved design dental stools to provide comfort and prevent fatigue during
dental procedures. The operator’s and assistant’s stools have some similarities but also have several
difference (Fig-2A, 2B)

A. Operator’s Stool
The operator’s stool has the following characteristics:
• Adjustable height
• Adjustable back rest
• Comfortable seat
• Mobility
• Broad base

Figure-2A Dental Operator’s Stool with back support.

B. Dental Assistant’ stool
The dental assistant’s stool has the following characteristics.
• Adjustable height
• Adjustable back rest
• Comfortable seat
• Mobility
• Broad base
• Foot rest
• Easy to adjust

Fig-2B, Assistant’s stool with front arm support.

 Fig-3A, 2 operatories.

Figure-3B, The Dental Unit including

handpieces, saliva ejector and HVE
The dental unit (Fig-3A, 3B) consists of handpieces, an air-water syringe, a saliva ejector, an oral evacuator
(HIVE), ultrasonic scaling unit and numerous other options. The dental unit may be fixed to the wall, the
cabinets, or on mobile charts. The unit is position according to the preference of the dentist, whether dentist is
left-handed or right-handed, if he or she routinely works within assistant, and according to the design of the
treatment room. The dental unit is available in three basic modes of delivery (Fig-4A, 4B, 4C).
 1. The rear delivery system is designed with the equipment located behind the
patient’s head.
2. The side delivery system is designed with the equipment located on the dentist’s
side. The unit is mounted to a moveable arm or a mobile cart.
3. The front delivery system is designed so that is can be pulled over the patient’s
chest and is located between the dentist and the assistant.

Fig-4A. Rear delivery system.

Fig-4B. Side delivery system

Fig-4C. Front delivery system.

Mobile carts Sometimes, mobile carts (Fih-5A, 5B) are used to hold delivery systems, including the
air-water syringe, oral evacuator, handpieces, and saliva ejector. One cart may be used by both the operator
and the dental assistant with the instrumentation on the appropriate side. Two carts, one on each side of the
dental chair, may be equipped and used. The operator’s cart is usually set up for two or three dental
handpieces plus an air-water syringe. The assistant’s carts is usually set up with the air-water syringe, saliva
ejector, and HVE. Carts are designed to be moved easily, provide a work space and some storage, and hold
basic instruments.

Fig-5A. Operator’s chart with dental handpiece and air-water syringe.

Fig-5B. Assistant’s chart with saliva ejector, HVE, air-water syringe

Air-Water syringe: The air water syringe (Fig-6A, 6B) provides air, water, or a combination
spray of air and water. The tip of the syringe is removable and made of either disposable plastic or
autoclavable metal. New barriers are placed on the syringe handle and the tubing for each patient. The controls
for the syringe are on the handle and should be easy to operate with the thumb of one hand. Air, water, and the
combination spray help keep the oral cavity clean and dry and protect tooth from the heat produced by the
handpiece. For easier use, the syringe tips come in several lengths and are slightly angled. To reduce the risk
of retaining oral fluid, flush the air-water syringe with water between patients at beginning and end of the day.

Fig-6A. Air-water syringe. (A) handle, (b) air-water control, (C) removable and
disposable tip.

Fig-6B. Air-water syringe.

Dental handpieces: There are usually two dental handpiece; low and high speed.
The handpieces are attached to hoses that are part of the dental unit. It is important that
these hoses are not bent or tangled. Each handpiece has two controls. First, the hose
attachment has on/off switch to prevent more than one handpiece from running at once.
Second, the speed of handpiece is controlled by a foot pedal called a rheostat. The
dental handpieces are removed after eash patient’s treatment and are sterilized.at the
beginning and end of the day, the handpiece should be run for several minutes.
Between patient, run the handpiece for at least one minute to flush the system (Fig-7A,
7B, 7C, 7D, 7E).

Fig-7A.Dental unit. (A) Dental handpieces, (B) Saliva ejector, (C) HVE.

Fig-7B. Contra-angle low speed

handpieces.

Fig-7C. Straight handpieces.

Fig-7D. High speed handpieces with diamond bur.

Fig-7E. High speed contra-angle handpieces

Ultrasonic Scaler: The ultrasonic scaler is attached to the dental unit. The scater is used
during prophylaxis and periodontal procedures. Small tips attach to the ultrasonic scaler. The scaler has a
vibrating action that remove hard deposits, such as calculus, and other debris from the teeth (Fig-8).

Fig-8. Ultrasonic scaler with polishing brushes.

 Saliva Ejector: The saliva ejector is used to remove saliva and fluid from the patient’s mouth
slowly. It has a low volume suction that is used during certain procedures, such as fluoride treatments
and under rubber dams. The saliva ejector tip is a thin, flexible, plastic tube that is disposable of after
each patient’s treatment. This plastic tip slides into the opening of the saliva ejector hose that part of the
dental unit. There is a small trap located in the saliva ejector that needs to be cleaned routinely (Fig-9 A,
9B).

Fig-9A. Disposable saliva ejectors.

Fig-9B. Saliva ejectors.

High Volume Evacuation (HVE): The high volume evacuation (HVE) is also
called the oral evacuator.It is used by the assistant to remove fluids from the patient’s mouth. Evacuation
tips are wider tubes that are often bevelled at both ends.Some of the tips are metal and can be sterilized,
but most offices use plastic tips that can be sterilized or disposed of.The evacuation tips fit into the handle
of the hose,which is covered with a protective barrier during procedures.The on/off control for the HVE is
on the handle.Each unit has a trap that collects debris from the evacuator. This trap must be changed or
cleanad weekly or as needed. There are cleaning systems available to flush the HVE at the end of the day
and week.

Operating Light
The operating light is attached to the dental chair or mounted to the ceiling. Both the operator and the
assistant should be able to adjust the position of the light. Operating lights have improved in many ways.
They are easier to move, more flexible, and direct less heat on the patient. The light has a control switch
for high and low intensities, an on/off switch, and handles on both sides. The light is attached to extension
arms for positioning over the patient’s face in order to view either the maxillary or mandibular arch.
The handles and on/off switch are covered with barriers during procedures. The barriers are changed
between each patient. Maintenance includes changing the light bulb occasionally and keeping the heat
shield clean. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for both of these procedures (Fig-
10).

Fig-10. Operating light.

Cabinetry
Most treatment rooms have some type of cabinetry for storage of supplies and materials used during
treatment. Some dental units are designed in fixed cabinets that surround the patient, operator, and
assistant. These units include cupboards that open from the front and the back for treatment trays, drawers
for materials frequently used, and sinks for both the operator and the assistant. The amount of cabinetry
depends on the size of the room and the dentist’s preference.
Mobile cabinets are also used in the treatment room. These cabinets come in a variety of designs and
are used for storage and as work space. The mobile cabinet is stored against the wall and then pulled into
position after the patient is seated.

Sink
The treatment room should be designed with sinks in convenient locations for the dentist and the
assistants. Some treatment rooms have to sinks, one on each side of the dental chair. Other treatment
rooms have one sink that is located centrally behind the dental unit for both the dentist and assistant to
use.
The water controls on the sink should be operated by wrist, foot, or knee control. There are light and
motion sensor devices that turn the water on and off automatically when standing in front of the sink the
sinks should be easy to clean and have an area nearby for soap and towel dispensers.

Dental X-Ray Unit

A dental x-ray unit used to expose intraoral radiograph is part of most treatment rooms. Sometimes the x-
ray tube head is housed between two rooms with doors on both side for x-ray tube head to slight out into
either room. The controls are found out side the room, so that the dental assistant is not exposed to
radiation. The panoramic machine for exposing extra oral radiograph is usually located in a separate area
out side the treatment room.

Small equipment
There may be variety of equipments in the treatment room depending on the primary use of the room.
Most rooms have an x-ray view box, curing light, amalgamator, communication system, computerized
intra oral dental camera, and satellite computer.
X-ray View box: The x-ray view box is used to read and diagnosed radiograph. It consists of
bright light source covered with a frosted surface. X-rays are placed on the frosted surface for clear
viewing (Fig-11).

Fig-11. X-ray view box

Dental Curing Light: A dental curing light is used to “cure” or “set” light-cured materials.
Many dental products are light cured. The curing light has a small motor that produces the high intensity
light, a wand, a protective shield, a handle, and trigger to turn the light on and off. The curing light used
halogen bulbs. Follow the manufacture’s instructions when changing the bulb (Fig-12A,B,C,D,E).

Fig-12 A. Light Cure unit

Fig-12B. Light cure unit

Fig-12C. Light cure unit

Fig-12C. Light Cure set

Fig-12D. Dental curing light.

Fig-12E. laser curing light.

Amalgamator: The amalgamator is a small machine that mixes dental amalgam and some
dental cements. It is placed near the assistant either on the counter or in a drawer (Fig-13A, 13B).

Fig-13A. Amalgamator.
Fig-13B. Amalgamator

Dental Air Compressor and Central Vacuum System

The air compressor provides compressed air for the handpiece and air for the air-water syringe.
The size of air compressor depends on the number of dental units utilized by the office. Usually,
the compressor is stored away from the main office because of it size and noise level.

The dental vacuum system provides suction for saliva ejector and oral evacuators at each dental
unit. The filters or traps must be cleaned regularly to keep this system working to capicaty. This
system is also stored away from the main office.

Dental office staffs and dental service companies must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
maintenance and repairs on the air compressor and the vacuum system. Both units may be set up
on time clocks to run only when the office is open and operating.

Reference:
Phinney DJ, Halstead JH, 2000 Delmar’s Dental Assisting, Delmer Thomson Learning.