Our Viral Dental Cushions: Comfort, Cleanliness and a Little Controversy

By David Drew, The Dental Barns

Safe, cosy, protected and supported. That is how we want you to feel in the dental chair, particularly when you are settling in for a longer appointment.

I did not expect our dental cushions to become an international talking point. But our Instagram posts have gone viral, bringing us questions from far beyond our practice in Lichfield. It has been quite something to watch.

Alongside the enthusiasm have come some very fair questions. What are they? How do we clean them? Can the dentist or hygienist still work properly? And is this level of pampering really necessary?

I wanted to answer those questions properly, share our experience and explain why these details matter to us.

Here is a closer look at the Lasal dental cushions we use at The Dental Barns, why we chose them and the time we allow to care for them between patients.

Why we offer cushions during longer treatments

A comfortable dental chair is a good starting point. Our Belmont Eurus S6 review explains why we chose the chair beneath the cushions. But comfort is personal. Where you like your arms to rest, how your neck feels supported and how settled you feel can all make a difference to the experience of a longer visit.

We offer these cushions to patients having longer treatments. In our experience, the appeal goes beyond softness: patients feel cosy, supported and protected. That sense of being looked after is exactly why we make room for these details.

Some people enjoy the gently enclosing feeling around their shoulders and arms. Others prefer a simpler arrangement. The aim is to find a comfortable position for the person in the chair, rather than expect everyone to enjoy the same set-up.

What are the cushions made from?

We use Lasal Dental Cushions by Cobi Rehab, a range developed for use in dental clinics in cooperation with the Mun-H Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. The manufacturer’s manual identifies them as Class I medical devices.

Inside are small, flame-retardant expanded polystyrene beads. These allow the cushions to be moulded around the body and chair. The manual specifies polyurethane-coated, flame-retardant polyester for both the inner cover and the separate hygiene cover.

That is the detail behind the phrase “medical grade”: a purpose-designed clinical product with defined materials and cleaning instructions. The material alone does not keep it hygienic; correct cleaning and disinfection between patients matter just as much.

Comfort and cleanliness

It is an understandable question when the first thing you notice is how soft and cosy they look.

The useful comparison is the dental chair itself. Its upholstered surface is reused, with cleaning and disinfection between patients. These dental cushions are also designed to be cleaned and disinfected for reuse. At The Dental Barns, they form part of our between-patient cleaning routine alongside the chair.

The important qualification is that each surface must be treated according to its own manufacturer’s instructions. A product suitable for one chair covering is not automatically suitable for every cushion or removable cover.

A regulated clinical setting

Here in England, dental services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), including requirements for safe care and infection prevention and control. Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) provides guidance on decontamination in primary care dental practices, particularly reusable dental instruments.

Our practice operates within that regulatory framework. A softer-looking room still carries the responsibilities of a clinical setting: suitable equipment, effective cleaning procedures and attention to manufacturer instructions. Neither CQC regulation nor HTM 01-05 should be read as approval of an individual cushion or disinfectant.

How we clean them at The Dental Barns

We clean and disinfect the cushions between patients as part of preparing the treatment room. We first clean with Clinell Detergent Wipes, the yellow-pack product. We then use our alcohol-free mikrozid product for disinfection. These are separate cleaning and disinfection stages. We also change the headphone covers between patients.

We allow a full 15-minute interval between patients for room preparation and these extra touches. That diary interval should not be confused with a universal disinfectant contact time: the required wet contact time depends on the exact product and the organism concerned.

Alcohol-free does not mean that a product is simply a cosmetic wipe. Equally, the absence of alcohol alone does not establish suitability for every clinical surface. The exact formulation, the surface being treated and the product’s application and contact-time instructions all matter.

For other practices: this describes the products we use, not a manufacturer-approved compatibility list. The supplied Lasal manual does not name Clinell or mikrozid. Confirm the exact product and cover combination with the supplier before adopting the same routine.

Why allow time for disinfection?

Disinfection needs the right product and enough contact time. We allow 15 minutes, but leaving a surface untouched for 15 minutes is not the same as keeping it wet for the required disinfectant contact time.

For example, Schülke’s published instructions for mikrozid sensitive wipes list 15 minutes for norovirus under clean conditions, 30 seconds for enveloped viruses, and 1 minute for bacteria and yeasts under the stated test conditions. These timings apply to that named formulation; they are not a claim that every mikrozid product has the same instructions, or that 15 minutes destroys every microorganism.

The instructions require visible soiling to be removed and the surface to be thoroughly wetted. Product choice, coverage, contact time and compatibility all matter. That is why we make time for the process, rather than treating a quick wipe as the whole job.

What the cushion manufacturer says about cleaning

The supplied Lasal user manual gives specific instructions:

• Cleaning the cushion: wipe with a clean cloth wrung out in water containing a mild detergent.
• Surface disinfection: the manual specifies disposable cloths containing ethanol, giving 70% ethanol wipes as an example, or a chlorine product at 1,000–1,200 ppm.
• Before reuse or storage: the cushion must be completely dry.
• Removable hygiene covers: these can be washed at 95°C and tumble dried.
• Jersey covers: these have different instructions: washing at 60°C and tumble drying at a low temperature.
• The cushion itself: must not be machine washed, because this damages the filling.

The manual also requires thorough disinfection before a cushion is used by another person, and washing or disinfection of the covers between users. These are the manufacturer’s instructions, rather than a suggestion that every part of the set should be treated in the same way.

For other practices reading this, follow the current instructions for your exact cushion and cover, together with your disinfectant’s directions, including its required contact time. Do not assume that any wipe will do.

Time for the details

Cushions add to the work involved in preparing the room. So do changing headphone covers and resetting the other touches that make an appointment feel more comfortable.

At The Dental Barns, we put aside 15 minutes between patients to make room for this care alongside our usual room preparation. These details need time in the diary, as well as a place in the treatment room.

Keely’s perspective

I asked Dr Keely Thorne, our Principal Dentist, for her perspective on the question that keeps coming up: how does this work when there is dentistry to do?

“I love these cushions. Anything that helps patients relax is a positive, especially for nervous patients.

“Do they get in the way? With the right set-up, I do not find that they do. But we have to be mindful. Some head positions or treatment requirements will not accommodate a particular cushion, and there are limitations.

“We put patients first and work around their comfort where it is appropriate and safe. A good chair that allows precise positioning, an adaptable nursing team and extra time to consider the details make this possible. That includes the time to keep everything clean.”

Dr Keely Thorne, Principal Dentist

That is the practical answer for dental and hygiene treatment alike: choose the support to suit the patient and the procedure. Access, visibility and a sustainable working position for the clinician still matter. If a cushion prevents the position we need, we adjust it or remove it.

The photographs show a comfort set-up, rather than a promise that every cushion remains in exactly that position throughout every procedure. You can also ask for an adjustment or a break. Headphones and cushions should support a calmer visit while leaving room for the conversations and instructions needed during treatment.

Why did the cushions go viral? My view, by David Drew

At first glance, the answer seems simple: it looks nice. A comfortable chair, soft support and headphones make for a scene people can imagine themselves enjoying. But I think the reaction goes deeper than that.

The posts bring together subjects people feel strongly about: health, luxury, cost and cleanliness. Luxury in healthcare can feel almost taboo. Some people see thoughtful care; others wonder whether the extras are necessary, what they cost or whether the appearance of comfort is getting ahead of the clinical work.

I understand why those questions come up. A short video shows the moment a patient settles into the chair. It cannot show the appointment planning, the positioning decisions, the cleaning instructions or the time we allow between patients. That is part of why I wanted to write this article.

The international interest has also taught us how differently people approach these conversations. Comments arrive from different countries, with different professional expectations and local rules in mind. Sometimes the advice appears to conflict.

A comment written from one country’s perspective is not, by itself, a statement of the requirements for a practice elsewhere. For us, the useful response is to return to the product instructions, the requirements that apply to our practice and the detail of what we actually do.

Decontamination has been a good example. We have learnt how important it is to explain the distinction between a clinical positioning cushion with a cleanable surface and an ordinary fabric cushion. We also need to distinguish a washable cover from the cushion inside it, and our own product choices from a manufacturer’s published compatibility guidance.

Something else has surprised me: how readily some dental professionals publicly criticise peers on the strength of a short clip. It has been a striking part of this conversation. I welcome thoughtful questions and constructive challenge, particularly around safety. I would also like us to leave room to ask how another team works before deciding that what they are doing cannot work.

For us, a more luxurious atmosphere is part of what we set out to create. We want the welcome, surroundings and sense of being looked after to feel like a salon visit. Why not? That feeling sits alongside the clinical responsibilities of dentistry. A good chair, adaptable nurses and enough time make space for the details.

The response in numbers

Our original cushion reel reached approximately 101,000 likes and 1,390 comments, as recorded in our Instagram figures on 18 September 2026. That level of interest has been extraordinary for something we introduced to help patients feel comfortable.

On 18 September 2026, our newer “Getting comfortable” reel displayed approximately 1,900 likes and 74 comments. These are snapshots of likes and comments, not view counts; the figures will continue to change.

Is it pampering?

There is certainly an element of being looked after, and we are very happy about that.

When you are spending a longer time in the dental chair, comfort deserves thought. A place for your arms to rest, support around your neck and time spent helping you settle can be meaningful parts of the visit.

For us, the value is in how patients feel: safe, cosy and supported. We do not present cushions as a cure for dental anxiety or a guarantee of a pain-free appointment. They are one practical way of making the experience gentler and more personal.

The three cushions we chose

For the dental teams asking where ours came from, our set comprises the following Lasal products. Prices below are from our supplier quotation dated 3 September 2025, rather than current retail prices.

Our three-cushion set was quoted at £574.80 including VAT, with tracked delivery included.

• Adult Safe Guarder: £235.00 + VAT (£282.00 including VAT). Product code 0319-7401-000.
• U-shaped Neck Cushion: £127.00 + VAT (£152.40 including VAT). Product code 0319-7101-000.
• Oblong Cushion: £117.00 + VAT (£140.40 including VAT). Product code 0319-7501-000.

Total: £479.00 + £95.80 VAT.

VAT: £95.80. Tracked delivery was included in the quotation. Removable covers were not separately itemised; ask the supplier to confirm which covers are included when ordering.

What each piece does

• Adult Safe Guarder: mouldable support around the shoulders and along the arms. Manufacturer’s measurements: 91 cm long, 81 cm wide, with a 127 cm inner perimeter.
• U-shaped Neck Cushion: mouldable support around the neck. Measurements: 113 cm outer length, 57 cm inner length and 21 cm width.
• Oblong Cushion: can be placed beneath the knees, or used with other supports for the feet. Measurements: 72 × 42 × 8 cm.

Dimensions are measured from seam to seam. These are flexible positioning cushions, so the measurements describe the product rather than a fixed shape around the patient.

We purchased our cushions in the UK through the manufacturer’s distributor, ENdynamics / DentalCushions.com, and received good service. If you are elsewhere in the world, Cobi Rehab, the manufacturer, is a useful starting point for product information and advice on where to buy locally.

For product and ordering enquiries: service@dentalcushions.com. Manufacturer: Cobi Rehab.

Your questions, answered

Can I ask for the cushions?

Yes. Let us know if you would like extra support, particularly for a longer appointment. We can discuss the set-up with you and what is suitable for the treatment planned.

Do I have to use the full set?

No. Comfort is individual. Let us know if you prefer less support or do not enjoy the enclosing feeling.

Are these weighted blankets?

No. These are mouldable dental positioning cushions. The filling allows them to take shape around the patient and chair; they are not described by the manufacturer as weighted blankets.

Are they washed after every patient?

The cushion itself must not go in a washing machine. It is designed for surface cleaning and disinfection. Removable covers have their own washing and disinfection instructions, as explained above. “Washable cover” and “washable cushion” are different things.

Does this take longer to clean?

Yes. There are extra surfaces to care for and accessories to reset. That is why we build time into our appointments for these details.

Experience the comfort for yourself

If you feel nervous about the dental chair, explore our approach to nervous patient care and tell us what helps. If you know that you find longer appointments physically uncomfortable, tell us. We want to understand what would help you feel more settled.

The cushions are a visible detail. Behind them is a simple commitment: time to help you get comfortable, time to care for the equipment properly and attention to how you feel throughout your visit.

If this sounds like the kind of dental experience you have been looking for, join our VIP Waitlist. Tell us what you would like to change about your smile or dental health, and what would help you feel at ease. We offer cushions for longer treatments where appropriate; your support is tailored to your appointment.

Join our VIP Waitlist

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Product information

Technical details and cleaning instructions are drawn from the Cobi Rehab Lasal Dental Cushions user manual, version 2023-02, particularly sections 4, 5, 7, 8 and 12, and the supplied Lasal Dental Cushions Overview. Historical prices are from ENdynamics quotation 12540, dated 3 September 2025. Our comments about the patient experience and appointment preparation describe our own experience at The Dental Barns.