The Evaluation and Improvement of Dental Platform in Ergonomic Design

Abstract

Background: Dental platform is a device allowing wheelchair patients to receive dental services withoutbeing transferred to a conventional dental unit. It also reduces the risks of accidents and provides convenience fora dental practice. The research team have developed two generations of dental platforms since 2012 and havelicensed private companies for the production, distribution, and services in Thailand as well as overseas countries. Objective: In 2020, experiences of patients and dentists using a dental platform in comparison with those using adental unit were evaluated. Method: 25 patients and the dentists who had experiences of using dental platformswere interviewed. Hospital administrators of the hospitals with the dental platforms were also interviewed regardingthe service of wheelchair patients. One of fve selected locations, namely Phon Thong Hospital, has installed andused the dental platform prototype developed by the research team, whereas the remaining four have installed andused the dental platforms manufactured and sold by licensed companies, namely: 1) Public Health Division, Offce ofHealth, 2) Phanom Phrai Hospital, 3) Lamlukka Hospital, and 4) Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, NavamindradhirajUniversity. Result: The evaluation results were summarized from the interviews of 25 patients (5 for each location),including dentists and head managements. The interview data were then used for ergonomic design improvementof the third-generation dental platform. The platform got patented afterwards. the product design consists of upto 55 degrees reclination with reduced seat thickness, the adjustment of the backrest into 2 parts—the lower andthe upper backrest (combined with the headrest), and the adjustment of the upper for higher or lower positionwith electrical control system. Conclusion: The proposed design would allow the dental platform to support widerranges and styles of wheelchairs, helping wheelchair patients feel more comfortable and allowing dentists to workmore conveniently.