Evaluation of Optimal Chair Position for Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures using Pulse Oximetry- A Prospective Clinical Study

Patient anxiety in the dental office creates an unacceptable situation for the dentist as well as patient, during procedures. Patient position on a dental chair can influence the levels of patient anxiety. The aim of the study was to determine the best patient position for maximal comfort and minimal anxiety. The objectives were (1) to assess the heart rate and (2) to assess the oxygen saturation in five different positions on a dental chair. The study was a prospective clinical trial involving 108 subjects. The inclusion criteria were healthy patients, aged 18-25 years. The exclusion criteria were patients with respiratory disorders, anaemia, cardiac disorders and other systemic problems. Every patient was made to assume 5 different postures - (1) Standing, (2) Sitting upright, (3) Semi-supine, (4) Semi-supine with legs bent and (5) Supine. A pulse oximeter probe was attached and the SpO2 (in percentage) and pulse rate (in beats/min) of every subject was recorded. As a result, the oxygen saturation was the highest in the standing posture (98.07) followed by sitting upright (97.85), supine and semi-supine posture (97.79), respectively. The heart rate showed a marked reduction from sitting upright (86.19) to supine (77.46) posture and the difference was statistically significant. When the patients bent their legs, there was a sudden spike in SpO2 as well as heart rate (P value-0.03) which was statistically significant. The study concluded that patient was most comfortable in semi-supine or supine posture with periodic legs-bent position.