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Best Saddle Chair for Dental Hygienists
With over 10 years of experience working in the dental field, ergonomics has been vital to my physical health as a dental hygienist. Dental professionals tend to naturally lean forward, compromising our spinal musculature and discs.
In this article, I will break down my top choices for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists and why it can help improve your career. Improving your ergonomics by switching to a saddle chair can increase the longevity of your career and decrease work-related injuries.
Table of Contents
What is a Saddle Chair?
A saddle chair utilizes a differently shaped seat to help improve the dental provider’s posture. According to the American Dental Association, over 300,000 work-related injuries can be prevented by practicing good ergonomics.
Saddle chairs, also known as saddle stools or ergonomic stools, are designed with saddle-shaped seats to provide various benefits, particularly for professionals who spend long hours sitting. Simply switching to a saddle chair has improved my positioning while practicing dental hygiene. After adjusting to the saddle chair, I have noticed an improvement in my back and neck pain.
Benefits of a Saddle Chair
Switching to the best saddle chair for dental hygienists will help promote proper body alignment and positioning next to your patient. Here are some reasons why saddle chairs can be beneficial for dental professionals:
Posture Support: Saddle chairs promote a more natural and upright sitting posture while promoting neutral uniform intervertebral disc pressures. The design encourages a slight forward tilt of the pelvis, which helps maintain the spine’s natural curvature. This can reduce strain on the lower back and improve overall posture.
Reduced Lower Back Pain: Dental professionals often spend extended periods leaning forward while working. Saddle chairs can help alleviate lower back pain by distributing the weight more evenly across the hips and reducing pressure on the lumbar spine.
Improved Ergonomics: The ergonomic design of saddle chairs promotes a neutral spine position, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with poor sitting habits. This can enhance overall comfort and prevent chronic pain.
Enhanced Blood Circulation: The open hip angle created by saddle chairs can improve blood circulation in the legs. This can be particularly beneficial during long dental procedures, as it reduces the risk of numbness or discomfort in the lower extremities.
Increased Mobility: The saddle-shaped seat allows for greater mobility and easier access to the patient. Dental hygienists can sit closer to the patient minimizing unnecessary movements. Dental professionals can move around more freely without the restriction of a traditional chair, making it easier to reach different areas of the patient’s mouth.
Muscle Engagement: Sitting on a saddle chair engages the core and stabilizes muscles more actively than traditional chairs. This constant engagement can contribute to strengthening core muscles over time.
Customizable Height: Many saddle chairs come with adjustable height options, allowing dental professionals to customize the chair’s height according to their specific workstation requirements. This adaptability ensures optimal comfort and support.
Prevention of Forward Head Posture: Saddle chairs discourage the forward head posture that can occur when leaning over patients for extended periods. This can reduce strain on the neck and shoulders.
Ease of Movement: The swivel feature in saddle chairs facilitates easy movement, enabling dental professionals to pivot and reach different areas without unnecessary strain.
Best Saddle Chair for Dental Hygienist
Saddle chairs are a great way for dental hygienists to improve their posture while practicing. When I first switched to a saddle chair, there was an adjustment period. I am very guilty of slouching, making my pelvis rotate backward putting pressure on my tailbone. I had to get used to sitting upright with my pelvis rotated forward on my sit bones.
Before purchasing a saddle chair, it is important to consider your body type and frame width. A more petite frame might have a harder time with a wider seat cushion, and vice versa.
That’s why I broke down my top choices for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists below.
Antlu Saddle Stool Rolling Chair
The Antlu Saddle Stool Rolling Chair is a classic saddle stool making it one of my top choices for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists. It is very easy to assemble with only a few steps to set you up. It’s a great choice for your first saddle stool and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Chair Details: 5 out of 5
This saddle chair is engineered to have a weight capacity of up to 400 lbs. The height of the chair can be adjusted up to 28 inches with a fully rotating seat. The wheels also rotate fully requiring minimal effort to move the chair.
Comfort Level: 5 out of 5
The seat of this saddle chair is pretty comfortable, especially for new dental hygienists. It has a thicker cushion compared to the traditional dental provider chair which makes transitioning to a saddle chair easier.
Ergonomic Improvement: 4 out of 5
This is a great first saddle chair and will definitely improve your posture and overall ergonomics when working.
Aesthetics: 4 out of 5
The look of this chair is seamless and can fit in various dental offices and clinics. There are several color choices but all neutral tones. It comes with a steel base and a strong faux leather seat. The polyurethane and rubber wheels also prevent scratching on floors.
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Grace&Grace Professional Saddle Stool
The Grace&Grace Professional Saddle Stool strives for improving the provider’s comfort level while balancing their ergonomic position. This is one of my top picks for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists because it provides a wider range of support.
Chair Quality: 4 out of 5
This chair can support a weight capacity of 350 pounds while providing full ergonomic support. The adjustable seat of the chair can fully rotate with ease reducing provider fatigue.
Comfort Level: 4 out of 5
The seat itself comes with a larger cushion due to the dense sponge layer. This can help ease the transition from a traditional dental provider chair to a saddle chair.
Ergonomic Improvement: 4 out of 5
This chair comes with the classic fundamental components of a saddle chair but with a thicker cushion. Some dental hygienists may feel that the seat of the chair is too wide depending on the provider’s size.
Aesthetics: 5 out of 5
The seat of this saddle chair is designed using thick PVC leather for a smooth look. The durable nylon caster wheels provide a quiet and smooth movement. This chair comes in several colors like black, blue-green, grey colors,
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Kaleurrier Saddle Stool
I chose the Kaleurrier Saddle Stool as a top pick for the best saddle chairs for dental hygienists because of the high-quality materials used in this saddle chair. Even though this saddle stool is very durable, it comes with a 1-year warranty.
Chair Details: 5 out of 5
The support of this chair comes with a 350-pound weight capacity. The chair can be adjusted effortlessly up to 30 inches tall depending on your needs. The fully rotating seat comes with a waterproof and abrasion resistant cushion.
Comfort Level: 5 out of 5
This saddle chair is constructed with a high-density foam cushion reaching a high comfort level. The chair glides over different flooring effortlessly reducing provider strain.
Ergonomic Improvement: 5 out of 5
The change from a conventional dental chair to a saddle stool can take some time to get used to. The larger cushion provides comfortable support but is more manageable for petite frames.
Aesthetics: 5 out of 5
The durable vinyl cushion creates a smooth aesthetic but is very durable. The reinforced chrome metal base also adds to the strength of the chair which minimizes scratches.
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FRNIAMC Hydraulic Saddle Chair
The FRNIAMC Hydraulic Saddle Chair is great for transitioning from a traditional dental provider chair to a saddle stool. Most saddle chairs come with an option to add a backrest, but this design integrates and utilizes the saddle cushion and backrest. This is why I feel it is an option for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists.
Chair Details: 4 out of 5
This saddle chair can adjust up to 29.5 inches tall and hold up to 350 pounds. The backrest of the chair does need to be tight to maintain your desired position. The chair comes with a 1 year guaranteed warranty.
Comfort Level: 4 out of 5
The components of the saddle seat and backrest work together to provide a supporting level of comfort. The leather cushion has a decent amount of support but not as much compared to the other choices.
Ergonomic Improvement: 4 out of 5
Pairing a backrest with a saddle stool can help provide the perfect balance of support and comfort. For others, the backrest might restrict the ergonomic opportunities the saddle stool provides depending on your build.
Aesthetics: 4 out of 5
The aesthetics of this saddle chair is very classic for a dental environment. It comes in a few neutral colors to help match the office or clinic. This saddle stool also has sturdy aluminum legs and durable nylon caster wheels that prevent scratching.
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TASALON Saddle Stool
The TASALON Saddle Stool is a very versatile stool and will help support dental hygienists of all shapes and sizes. The design of this chair promotes good posture to help relieve neck and back pain and prevent work-related injuries over time.
Chair Details: 5 out of 5
This saddle stool has the widest adjustable range of positioning up to 32 inches tall. It can also support up to 400 pounds. These two factors make it one of my top choices for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists.
Comfort Level: 4 out of 5
The contour of the seat is good for petite frames. The cushion of this saddle stool is average and may not be enough support for some.
Ergonomic Improvement: 5 out of 5
The design of this chair helps improve ergonomic support no matter what position you are in next to your patient’s chair. This chair is very lightweight and moves quietly around the operatory.
Aesthetics: 4 out of 5
The design of this saddle chair is very seamless and classic. It includes a AAA aluminum base and very sturdy roller-blade-like wheels. This chair does not come in other colors.
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Our Recommendation for the Best Saddle Chair for Dental Hygienist
My top choice for the best saddle chair for dental hygienists is the Kaleurrier Saddle Stool. The engineering of this chair is made with quality materials that will hold up in high-volume clinics for years. The design of the saddle seat will also fit many different body frames.
I believe that all of the saddle chairs above are great choices for dental providers and can help improve the longevity of your career and physical health.
It’s important to note that individual preferences and body types vary, so what works well for one person may not be suitable for another. Dental professionals should consider their specific needs and try different ergonomic solutions to find the chair that best supports their comfort and well-being during long working hours.
For more support to your career, check out our For Dental Hygienist Articles.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile Store for educational products and printables to help with oral hygiene in patients and improve your daily workflow. Certain products even come with a customizable feature to support your dental office.
