Firstar FDC50 Dental Chair

The Firstar FDC50 Dental Chair builds on Firstar’s hydraulic chair platform with refined movement, premium upholstery, improved patient support, and a backrest shaped to create more working room for the clinician. It is designed for practices that want the durability of an all-metal hydraulic chair with a more elevated patient and operator experience.

Soft-start and soft-stop hydraulic movement reduces abrupt transitions, while Firstar’s Spline Motion recline mechanism is designed to follow the patient’s natural movement as the chair reclines. An extra-thin, wide aluminum back casting balances broad patient support with increased leg clearance for the doctor and assistant.

Soft-Start and Soft-Stop Hydraulic Movement

The FDC50 uses a dual-hydraulic drive system with controlled starts and stops. This smoother movement can reduce the sudden sensation patients sometimes experience when a chair begins moving or reaches its selected position.

Four programmable memory positions allow the clinical team to save commonly used chair settings. The chair can then be moved consistently between patient entry, examination, treatment, and return positions with fewer repeated manual adjustments.

• Soft-start and soft-stop hydraulic drive
• Dual-hydraulic lift and recline system
• Four programmable chair-memory positions
• 17-inch minimum seat height
• 30-inch maximum seat height
• 13-inch vertical lift range
• 50-degree chair swivel

Spline Motion Recline

Firstar’s Spline Motion recline mechanism changes the relationship between the seat and backrest as the chair moves into treatment position. The motion is intended to cradle the patient and more closely follow the natural movement of the back, helping reduce upholstery bunching and pressure at the lower back.

This coordinated movement is particularly relevant during longer procedures, when small improvements in support and positioning can make a meaningful difference to the patient experience.

• Coordinated seat and backrest movement
• Recline path designed to follow the patient’s natural posture
• Reduced bunching around the lower back during recline
• Smoother transitions into and out of treatment position

Operator Access and Head Positioning

The FDC50 uses an extra-thin, wide die-cast aluminum back support. The width provides a broad support surface for the patient, while the reshaped lower casting creates additional leg clearance for the dental team.

A dual-articulating, height-adjustable headrest provides independent control over the patient’s head and neck. The clinician can adjust the headrest for patient height and establish a working angle for access to either dental arch without relying entirely on full-chair movement.

• Extra-thin, wide aluminum back casting
• Backrest profile shaped for additional operator leg clearance
• Dual-articulating headrest
• Height-adjustable headrest assembly
• Flexible positioning for maxillary and mandibular access

Low-Profile Armrests and Patient Entry

The FDC50’s low-profile armrests use a single-handed button-lock mechanism. The armrests can be released and swung down without requiring a two-handed lever operation, simplifying patient entry, exit, and assisted seating.

When locked in position, the armrests provide lateral patient support without adding unnecessary bulk around the treatment area.

• Low-profile swing-down armrests
• Single-handed button-lock mechanism
• Open access for patient entry and dismissal
• Low 17-inch entry height
• Collision-detection safety switch

Premium Ultraleather Upholstery

Super-plush Ultraleather upholstery is standard on the FDC50. The upholstered surface is designed to complement the chair’s Spline Motion recline and provide additional cushioning during both routine appointments and extended procedures.

• Super-plush Ultraleather upholstery standard
• Multiple Ultraleather color options
• Wide, supportive backrest profile
• Matching Firstar doctor and assistant stools available separately

Metal Construction and Capacity

The FDC50 uses die-cast aluminum for the base and back support and cast iron for the main chair frame. These load-bearing metal components provide a stable platform for the hydraulic drive, swivel mechanism, and compatible chair-mounted delivery equipment.

• Die-cast aluminum base
• Cast-iron chair frame
• Die-cast aluminum back support
• Published maximum hydraulic lift capacity of 500 pounds
• Current published maximum patient weight of 325 pounds when configured with a delivery system

Technical Overview

• Model: FDC50
• Manufacturer item number: 13000
• Drive system: Soft-start/soft-stop dual hydraulic
• Lift direction: Single-direction hydraulic lift
• Recline: Bidirectional hydraulic recline with Spline Motion
• Programmable positions: Four
• Minimum seat height: 17 inches
• Maximum seat height: 30 inches
• Seat-height range: 13 inches
• Chair swivel: 50 degrees
• Maximum hydraulic lift capacity: 500 pounds
• Maximum patient weight: 325 pounds with delivery system, according to the current manufacturer page
• Base: Die-cast aluminum
• Frame: Cast iron
• Back support: Extra-thin, wide die-cast aluminum
• Standard upholstery: Super-plush Ultraleather

FDC38 or FDC50?

Both chairs share hydraulic positioning, four programmable memory positions, a 17-to-30-inch seat-height range, a 50-degree swivel, metal structural components, and an articulating headrest. The FDC38 is the more straightforward platform with standard Naugasoft upholstery, conventional synchronized movement, and lever-lock armrests.

The FDC50 adds soft-start and soft-stop movement, Spline Motion recline, an extra-thin wide back casting, single-handed button-lock armrests, and super-plush Ultraleather upholstery as standard. Those upgrades make it the stronger fit when patient comfort, refined movement, and clinician leg clearance carry greater weight in the purchasing decision.

Is the Firstar FDC50 Right for Your Practice?

The FDC50 is suited to high-use general and specialty operatories, longer procedures, and practices looking for a more premium patient-chair experience without giving up durable hydraulic and metal construction. Its movement, backrest, armrest, and upholstery upgrades are meaningful functional differences—not merely cosmetic changes.

Patient capacity can vary based on the attached delivery configuration. Contact Supply Doc to confirm upholstery, compatible delivery and lighting equipment, floor requirements, freight, installation, and the final chair configuration before ordering.