A Guide to Choosing the Right Medical & Dental Chair

Explore our comprehensive guide on the correct medical and clinical seating below. The use case for each model described in this guide is for information purposes only. Call us now for more information on our medical and dentists' chairs.

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Why Clinical Seating and Posture Matters



Choosing the right medical or dental chair isn't just about finding something comfortable. It’s about preventing long-term injury, improving performance and ensuring you’re in the best possible position to preserve your health.


Poor quality medical and clinical seats and stools contribute to back pain, shoulder strain, and repetitive stress injuries (RSI) that affect thousands of healthcare professionals every year in the UK.


As the UK’s leading manufacturer of high-quality medical seats and stools, Murray Equipment is best placed to offer advice on choosing the right seating that suits your needs. This clinical seating posture guide explains the key features to consider when selecting seating for dental or medical environments, helping you make an informed decision that will benefit your health and productivity for years to come.


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Accreditations

NHS Approved Supplier | Made in UK | ISO 9001 Certified | Fire Safety Compliant | 5 Year Guarantee


All Murray Equipment seating meets the highest clinical standards, ensuring safety, durability, and performance in demanding medical environments.


Medical Seating Features to Look For

Height Adjustment Options

The foundation of ergonomic clinical seating is proper height adjustment to accommodate different procedures and operator heights.
Standard height chairs: Suitable for most applications
  • Best for: General dental work, consultation rooms, laboratory use
High cylinder seating: Extended height range with foot ring support
  • Best for: Surgical procedures, tall operators, elevated workstations
  • Note: Includes adjustable foot ring for proper leg support
Low cylinder seating: Reduced height for specific applications
  • Best for: Paediatric work, low examination tables
Height adjustment
Foot height control

Foot Height Control

Proper foot support is essential for maintaining good posture during extended procedures. They can adjust the height range of seats via the foot, instead of a hand level.
These optional extras are available in our seating products, which can:
  • Enable height adjustments to suit individual practitioners
  • Provide stable support during precise work
  • Reduce leg fatigue during long procedures
These foot height controls can be fitted as standard on all models.

Seat Tilt Facility

Our seating products all come with dynamic tilting seat pads which enable optimal pelvic movement and positioning, helping to promote a good natural spinal position.
All our models (minus the SGEM-GT) the back rest and seat pad can be independently adjusted and used in a locked or free floating position.
Forward tilt benefits:
  • Opens hip angle for better circulation
  • Reduces lumbar spine pressure
  • Improves access to work area
Backward tilt benefits:
  • Relaxed positioning for consultation
  • Reduced back muscle tension
Tilt facility
Back Rest Rake Adjustment

Back Rest Options

 Choose the right back support for your working style and clinical needs.

Back Rest Height Adjustment 
This is raised and lowered manually to achieve the correct lumber support position, before being locked into place.
Use a high back rest for long procedures, administrative work and consultations to achieve the best possible spinal support.
Consider a lower back rest for active procedures requiring more mobility to enjoy more freedom of movement.

Back Rest Rake Adjustment
This spring-loaded adjustable feature which moves with and supports the operative as they move back and forth. Alternatively, this can be locked into position. The customisable angle adjustment allows clinicians to find their optimal back support position without manually reconfiguring everything.

 Base Configuration

The chair base affects mobility, stability, and suitability for different clinical environments. The standard 5-star base is suitable for most clinical applications, when paired with standard smooth-rolling castors, offering solid mobility and stability.
Restraint castors can be configured to seating where procedures requiring stillness and stability are common. The lockable wheels prevent unwanted movements.
Alternatively, wheel-less glide bases can be manufactured and supplied to operators in highly controlled and sterile environments.
The Base
Material

Material & Hygiene Features

Clinical-Grade Upholstery
Antibacterial protection
  • · Impregnated with antibacterial agents during manufacture
  • · Prevents bacterial growth and infection risk
  • · Meets NHS infection control standards
Easy-clean properties
  • · Wipe-clean surface
  • · Breathable materials
  • · Latex-free

Restraint Locking Castors

These act on vinyl flooring in a similar way to a normal free-wheeling castor would act on a carpeted floor. All our stools / chairs are fitted as standard with Restraint Castors or Static feet. However, we have a full range of locking castors. 
Restraint Castor

Best Medical Seating for Specific Roles

Dental Seating

  • Forward tilt capability for patient access
  • Low back rest for mobility
  • Restraint castors for stability


Surgical Seating

  • High cylinder with foot ring
  • Restraint castors
  • Adjustable back rest for freedom of movement

GP Seating

  • High back rest for consultation comfort
  • Standard height range
  • Smooth mobility castors


Laboratory Seating

  • Height adjustment for bench work
  • Back support for extended sitting
  • Easy-clean materials for chemical resistance

What Seating Do We Recommend?

Not sure which features you need? Our seating experts can visit your practice to assess your requirements and recommend the optimal product(s) for your environment, daily procedures, workspace layout, and any underlying pain points or comfort issues.


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We provide a 5-year guarantee across our whole range of seating. Feel free to contact us today!