In general, dental foot controls are very simple and basic components used in any dental office across the United States. The foot control is one of the most frequently used of all the different systems in the patient treatment room, and they tend to take a lot of wear and tear.
If you are replacing dental foot controls for your office, there are a few practical considerations before making a purchase. Talking to your staff and team can help you determine what features or options on the replacement foot controls could be included to make everyone’s life a little bit easier.
The Basic Working Considerations
Starting with the basics, it is important to know if there is a need for air and water control with the foot valve. These types of dual-use controls are ideal to make all controls readily available without a lot of additional components on the ground around the patient’s chair. The air or water control is available with a toggle that is flipped for either water or air.
It is also important to have a system that precisely regulates the air pressure when the foot control is depressed. This allows the staff to provide a consistent experience for the patient without erratic air or water pressure.
Aesthetic Considerations
Many of the new options in dental foot controls come in a variety of colors to match the patient treatment rooms. This can include a chrome plating or a powder coat on the actual dome of the foot control, ensuring easy cleaning and a long-life on the surface.
Keep in mind; these foot controls can be exposed to water and the various chemicals used in the dental treatment rooms. By choosing a durable surface on both the foot control as well as the system base, it can be maintained in like-new condition even with heavy and continual use in busy offices.
