Dentist chair and positioning!

It’s a difficult one- our dentist has developed severe back problems from constantly bending over patients- does it make it easier for him/her if we are flat on our backs?

Last time I went to the dentist suffering with toothache I told him I'd rather have a baby and he replied "we'll make your mind up - I've got to adjust the chair"

I agree; you are so far tipped backwards that, if I'm wearing a dress, I panic that 'everything might be on show'

Yes, what are you supposed to do with all that water?
Swallow it in great gulps or let it dribble down your neck and soak your collar?

My dentist used to have a chair with the smallest and narrowest head rest ever. I could never get "comfortable" on it...mind you, I'm not sure that I could get really comfortable on any chair which is designed so that someone else can put instruments of potential torture into my mouth and with the risk of drowning in the water that someone else sprays in there was well...

I have problems with neck and back pain owing to cervical and lumbar lordosis - my dentist is happy for me to schlepp in with a bag full of memory foam cushions to support my neck, lower spine and knees

Interesting responses, thank you. I might ring and speak to the Practice Manager and discuss my issues, I hate going to the Dentist in any case, and this just adds to the anx.

My dentist always asks if I am happy to be reclined.

I have recently changed my dentist and the new one's chair is far more comfortable.
My last dentist had a state-of-the-art reclining chair but when I opened my mouth he told me to put my chin down. How is that even possible!

Insist that you are uncomfortable. Surely these modern chairs should be flexible.

The dentist would have to cope with me throwing up if I reclined too far!

I wish my dentist was as sympathetic as yours shysal. I have a similar vertigo issue, it’s even on my records at the dental surgery. However my current dentist absolutely refuses to adjust the chair to a better position for me, insisting that she can’t work properly unless it’s reclined really far back. Funny how previous dentists always seemed to manage it!

I suffer from vertigo when my head goes too far back. My dentist knows and tilts me less and stands rather than sitting to do the job.
All you can do is explain before you start and hope your dentist is sympathetic and cooperative. Good luck!

Things have changed as the years go by. I’m sure we used to more or less sit up at the dentists.

Now your feet seem to be above your head. Can make you feel a bit sick actually.

I am 84 and have noticed this problem creeping up since my 60s. A nurse told me to ask for a neck pillow and to adjust it until I am able to relax completely.
I also have regular injections into my eye and the nurses there also say it's import to be comfortable as the stress of holding your head and neck in a relaxed alignment is necessary in order to be sure of placing the injection in the right part of the eyeball.
Practise at home with a rolled up sock or facecloth.
I now take a facecloth rolled up and fixed with 2 elastic bands with me to the dentists. Like yours, my dentist isn't bothered about my comfort.