Smarter work stations for better work patterns...
The thinking behind the design of the Coburn system
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Inner Circle of Reach
Outer Circle of Reach
Normal Work Area
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The Common Work Area™
Operator and assistant normal work areas overlap, defining two common work areas, perfectly accessible to each team member.
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Freedom to Move
8:30 to 12:30 (o'clock positions)
Current ergonomic literature emphasizes the benefits of movement and postural variation.
Best dentist operating postures achieved from 10:00 to 12:30.
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Trans thoracic trays must move as indicated in graphic to accommodate a right-handed operator working from 9:00 through 12:00 and more than this, to allow the patient in and out of the chair.
The 2:00 tray, which we have called the team tray, is not required to move laterally. Instead, patient and chair are rotated to maintain the correct operator/tray relationship in various o'clock positions. |
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Tray Comparison
Team Tray
To use the team tray, the assistant rotates to the right, extends the right arm, balancing posture and movement.
Ergonomists warn against twisted work postures. "Eyes front," shoulder-level posture maintains low stress on muscles and ligaments, lowers fatigue and promotes positive attitude in team members. |
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Trans Thoracic Tray
To focus fully on the patient, the seated assistant tries to avoid twisted and tipped posture.
Extending a left arm towards a trans thoracic tray shifts the center of gravity further to the left, adding to the assistant's imbalance and possible discomfort.
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Tangle-Free Tubing Configuration
Tubing from mid-tray to source is tray supported.
From mid-tray forward, tubing is tray and lap supported.
Handpieces are light and free of “tubing tug.”
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Instrument Location
Team tray elements equally accessible to team members with no loss of focus on the work area of the patient’s mouth. |
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Instrument and Material Flow
Instruments and materials flow from tray to instrument transfer area along a curved path to avoid the patient’s eyes.
No Fly Zone between head and flight path is ideal for syringe/suction holders. |
Tubing Management
1. 3-Way Syringe
2. HVS
3. Saliva Ejector
4. HVS
5. Hand Piece
6. Hand Piece
7. Hand Piece
8. Curing Light
9. Central Nitrous Oxide
10. Camera
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Team Tray Movement with Chair Rotation
The team tray moves in and out to serve variations in patient size, or to work on upright patients.
The animation below demonstrates total tray and instrument access in a wide range of o'clock operating positions.
To avoid strained posture, the operator is encouraged to avoid twisting or tipping by re-positioning the patient's head. This is achieved by rotating the patient's chair and moving the operator's stool.
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Triangles of Activity
Dentist/operator can move easily from patient to preparation centre (sink, mirrored cabinet and dispenser system), and to dentist desk. Assistant can move easily from patient to preparation centre (sink and dispenser system) and to generous support areas including convenient keyboard and monitor for practice management functions, digital photography and radiography.
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Monitor Placement
Practice Management Monitor: The ideal position for assistant to enter practice management information.
While dentist and patient are saying parting words, assistant can comfortably book the next appointment and enter the fee. |
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Practice management monitor may be rotated towards operator to desired distance. |
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Patient Monitor: Ideal second monitor just beyond dentist preparation centre viewed by patient and operator for co-diagnosis and patient education. |
