Have you ever eased into a modern dental chair and marveled at its seamless adjustments and array of built-in tools? It’s a piece of technology designed for precision and comfort, but this sophisticated seat has a surprisingly humble and uncomfortable past. The journey from a simple wooden seat to today's high-tech throne reveals a fascinating story of innovation, necessity, and a growing concern for patient and dentist comfort.
Before the 18th century, the concept of a dedicated "dental chair" didn't exist. Patients often had to endure procedures sitting on the floor, their heads uncomfortably held between the dentist's knees.[1]
Later household chairs were used and then barber chairs modified with handrests were added; for the purpose of holding on to the hands of the patient during extraction. The first steps toward a more civilized experience came from dentists themselves, who, until the mid-1800s, often designed and built their own chairs. [2]
The first significant leap forward occurred in 1790, credited to American dentist Dr. Josiah Flagg. He modified a Windsor chair and added an adjustable headrest and an extension to the armrest with a drawer beneath for dental instruments. He came from a family dentists and his chair was used by three generations of dentists in the Flagg family. [3]
In an advertisement published in Boston in 1796, he claims to be practising a variety of dental procedures and also highlights that all this is done in a less painful setting due to the modified dental chair.
The 19th century saw rapid advancements. In 1867, Dr. James Beall patented the first wooden dental chair specifically designed for dental work, which featured a footrest and the ability to recline. [2] This era also marked the shift from individual customization to industrial manufacturing. [3]
The S S White Company produced a range of dental chairs. In 1871 they delivered the first all-metal 'Harris' chair, with a simple hand cranking mechanism to adjust the height of the chair and head and footrests. The following year saw their 'Morrison' chair, the first fully adjustable chair with compensating seat and backrest, plush upholstery, claw-shaped feet and 'fussy' decoration. Just a few years later, in 1875, the Buffalo Dental Manufacturing company introduced a chair that could recline backward, a crucial development that allowed dentists to sit down while working for the first time. 1877 saw the 'Wilkerson' chair, the first with a hydraulic foot pump to move it up and down, removable armrests and even a child's seat. [4]
The 1900s brought power and advanced technology to the dental office. By the 1940s, Ritter Dental pioneered designs that incorporated an X-ray machine, a spittoon, and used air pressure for smooth adjustments. [1] However, the blueprint for the modern chair we know today was established in the 1958. John Naughton of Iowa, featured a break in the seat back that allowed the dentist to sit and the patient to be in a prone position. Due to its more flexible seat design, Naughton’s recliner was accepted as the standard by the dental profession. [1] This innovation reflected a growing awareness of dental ergonomics — considering the posture and efficiency of the dentist as much as the comfort of the patient. By the end of the 20th century, the dental chair had evolved into a more user-friendly treatment unit, integrating essential tools such as air, water, suction, faucets, and overhead lighting — an innovation in dentistry that reshaped the patient experience.
Fast forward to the present, and the transformation is remarkable. Today's modern dental chairs are fully automated, ergonomic marvels. Made from advanced materials, they feature electrically powered engines for a wide range of movements and antimicrobial coatings for easy cleaning and infection control. Integrated with digital screens, pneumatic tubes for powering surgical equipment, and suction tools for removing saliva, these chairs represent the cutting edge of modern dental technology.
From painful procedures on the floor to comfortable, technologically assisted treatment, the history of the dental chair mirrors the evolution of dentistry itself. What began as a crude necessity has become a symbol of progress, reflecting how dentistry shifted from survival and pain management to a profession focused on patient comfort, precision, and resilience in healthcare delivery.
References:
Dugoni School of Dentistry. “Please Have a Seat: Evolution of the Dental Chair.” Virtual Dental Museum. https://dentalmuseum.pacific.edu/please-have-a-seat-the-evolution-of-the-dental-chair/.
Coelho, Daniel de Oliveira, Felipe Garbin, and Tânia Mara Garbin. “Dental Chair's Evolution with the Incorporation of Ergonomics Elements.” ResearchGate, 2019. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333016134_Dentals_Chair's_evolution_with_the_incorporation_of_ergonomics_elements.
Massachusetts Historical Society. “Josiah Flagg, Surgeon Dentist.” MHS Collections Online. https://www.masshist.org/database/177.
Nairn, R. I., and F. J. Trevor Burke. “125 Years of Developments in Dentistry, 1880–2005. Part 3: Dental Equipment and Materials.” British Dental Journal 198, no. 9 (2005): 547–53. https://www.nature.com/articles/4812913.
MSM