Purchasing a dental chair is a major investment for any practice. The chair must support patient comfort, clinical efficiency and the daily working positions of the dentist and assistant. It must also fit the operatory, connect to the available utilities and work with the delivery system, dental light and other equipment.
A professionally refurbished dental chair can provide a practical alternative to purchasing new equipment. It may allow a practice to obtain equipment from a recognized manufacturer while preserving more of its budget for installation, technology, staffing and other office improvements.
However, refurbished equipment should be evaluated carefully. Before purchasing a refurbished dental chair, consider its condition, configuration, compatibility, warranty and total installed cost.
Understand What “Refurbished” Means
Pre-owned and refurbished dental equipment should not automatically be treated as the same condition.
A pre-owned dental chair has previously been used and may be offered in its existing cosmetic and mechanical condition after any stated inspection or testing.
A refurbished dental chair has typically received a more extensive process. Depending on the chair and supplier, refurbishment may include:
- Cleaning and inspection
- Testing the chair’s movements and controls
- Repairing or replacing worn components
- Servicing the hydraulic or electrical systems
- Replacing damaged covers or trim
- Repainting exterior components
- Installing new upholstery
- Inspecting attached delivery or assistant equipment
- Completing a final operational evaluation
Refurbishment processes vary among suppliers. Ask what work was completed on the specific chair rather than relying only on the word “refurbished.”
Identify the Manufacturer and Model
The manufacturer and model affect parts availability, serviceability, mounting compatibility and the chair’s available features.
Dental chairs from established manufacturers may remain in service for many years when replacement parts and qualified technicians are available. Before purchasing, confirm:
- Manufacturer
- Model number
- Serial number
- Approximate age, if known
- Available replacement parts
- Availability of compatible upholstery
- Service support in your area
- Compatibility with attached equipment
A chair with an attractive price may not be a good long-term value if essential parts are difficult to obtain or technicians in your area cannot service it.
Evaluate the Chair’s Mechanical Condition
Cosmetic appearance is important, but the chair’s mechanical and structural condition should receive greater attention.
Ask whether the chair has been inspected for:
- Smooth raising and lowering
- Backrest movement
- Base and back positioning
- Hydraulic leaks
- Unusual noises or vibration
- Control-switch operation
- Automatic return functions
- Swivel movement and locking
- Headrest adjustment
- Armrest operation
- Emergency-stop features
- Structural stability
A chair may show normal cosmetic wear while remaining mechanically dependable. Conversely, new upholstery and fresh paint do not guarantee that the internal components have been properly inspected.
Request a clear description of the chair’s condition and any refurbishment work performed.
Decide Which Configuration Your Practice Needs
Dental chairs may be sold as stand-alone units or as part of a larger operatory package.
Common configurations include:
- Stand-alone dental chair
- Chair with doctor delivery system
- Chair with doctor and assistant instrumentation
- Chair with dental light
- Chair with delivery system, assistant package and light
- Complete operatory package with stools or accessories
Before purchasing, determine which components are included. Product photographs may show attached equipment that is not part of the sale, while some necessary mounting hardware may not be obvious in the images.
Review the listing carefully and confirm whether the sale includes:
- Delivery unit
- Handpiece positions
- Air/water syringe
- Assistant instrumentation
- High-volume evacuation
- Saliva ejector
- Dental light
- Foot control
- Water bottle system
- Instrument tray
- Mounting arms and hardware
- Operator or assistant stools
Handpieces, curing lights and accessories are not necessarily included unless they are pictured and specifically listed.
Confirm Right- and Left-Handed Compatibility
The position of the delivery system and assistant instrumentation affects how comfortably the clinical team can work.
Some configurations are designed primarily for right-handed operation. Others can be converted or repositioned for left-handed use, while certain systems are fully ambidextrous.
Before ordering, consider:
- Whether the primary clinician is right- or left-handed
- Where the assistant normally sits
- How instruments are transferred
- Whether several clinicians will share the room
- Whether the delivery system can be repositioned
- Whether conversion requires additional parts or labor
The correct configuration can reduce unnecessary reaching, turning and movement during procedures.
Measure the Operatory
Dental equipment can appear smaller in photographs than it will once installed.
Measure the room and account for the chair in its upright, lowered and fully reclined positions. Allow space for:
- Patient entry and exit
- Doctor and assistant stools
- Delivery-system movement
- Dental-light movement
- Cabinet and drawer access
- Mobile equipment
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Technician access
- Clear walkways
Also measure doorways, hallways, elevators and other areas through which the chair must pass during delivery.
Providing the equipment supplier with photographs, room dimensions and a floor plan can help identify potential problems before the chair is shipped.
Verify Utility and Installation Requirements
Dental chairs and operatory packages may require electrical, air, water, vacuum and drain connections. These requirements can vary according to manufacturer, model and configuration.
Before purchasing, confirm:
- Electrical voltage and outlet requirements
- Air and water connections
- Vacuum requirements
- Drain requirements
- Junction-box location
- Floor or cabinet mounting requirements
- Plumbing and electrical preparation
- Installation clearances
- Local code requirements
Professional installation may be necessary. Discuss the equipment with your installer before purchase, especially if the operatory is under construction or being remodeled.
Examine the Upholstery
New upholstery can dramatically improve the appearance of a refurbished chair, but appearance is not the only consideration.
Evaluate:
- Cushion support and condition
- Material quality
- Seams and stitching
- Headrest condition
- Armrest upholstery
- Ease of cleaning
- Compatibility with approved cleaning products
- Color coordination with stools and cabinetry
If the chair retains its existing upholstery, review detailed photographs for cracks, tears, stains, fading, compression and separated seams.
Collins Dental Equipment offers custom upholstery options for many dental chairs and stools. This allows practices to coordinate equipment with office colors, cabinetry and branding.
Review the Warranty
Warranty coverage can provide valuable protection, but the exact terms should be understood before purchase.
Ask:
- How long is the warranty?
- Does it cover parts and labor?
- Is labor coverage limited by location?
- Who performs warranty service?
- Are travel expenses included?
- Which components are excluded?
- Does improper installation affect coverage?
- What documentation is required for a claim?
Do not assume that every component in a complete operatory carries the same warranty. Review the terms for the chair, delivery system, light and accessories.
Calculate the Complete Project Cost
The listed price is only one part of the investment.
Your total cost may include:
- Purchase price
- Freight
- Liftgate service
- Unloading
- Removal of existing equipment
- Professional installation
- Plumbing or electrical modifications
- Replacement mounting hardware
- Additional accessories
- Upholstery upgrades
- Local permits or inspections
- Staff downtime during installation
Ask for freight and installation information before placing the order. A chair with a lower purchase price may ultimately cost more if extensive modifications are required.
Review Photographs Carefully
Product photographs should help you evaluate the exact chair being offered.
Look for images showing:
- Front, back and both sides
- Upholstery surfaces
- Chair base
- Controls
- Headrest
- Armrests
- Delivery system
- Assistant instrumentation
- Dental light
- Foot control
- Utility connections
- Manufacturer and model labels
- Included accessories
- Areas of cosmetic wear
If an important detail is not visible, request another photograph. Clear documentation protects both the buyer and seller by establishing the equipment’s condition and included components.
Work With an Experienced Dental Equipment Supplier
An experienced supplier should help you determine whether the chair is appropriate for your practice—not simply whether it can be sold.
Collins Dental Equipment has served dental professionals since 1993. We provide new, pre-owned and refurbished dental equipment for individual replacements, operatory upgrades and complete dental-office projects.
Our services include:
- Dental equipment refurbishment
- Custom chair and stool upholstery
- Equipment painting
- Delivery and installation options
- Operatory planning assistance
- Equipment customization
- Local equipment service and repair
We can help you compare stand-alone chairs, doctor-delivery packages, doctor-and-assistant configurations and complete operatories from recognized manufacturers.
Make a Confident Equipment Decision
A refurbished dental chair can deliver excellent value when it is mechanically dependable, properly configured and compatible with the office.
Before purchasing, confirm the chair’s identity, refurbishment process, included components, utility requirements, installation plan and warranty. Careful planning can help prevent compatibility problems, unexpected expenses and workflow frustrations.
To discuss available dental chairs or request help planning your next operatory, contact Collins Dental Equipment:
Phone: (859) 881-3996
Email: [email protected]
Website: CollinsDentalEquipment.com
Share photographs of your current equipment, room measurements, preferred configuration and budget so our team can help you explore suitable options.