ABOUT US

ABOUT US

WELCOME

For more than 40 years, Empire Dental Devices has supported dental professionals across Australia. From our early beginnings supplying dental consumables to today’s focus on ergonomic, low-maintenance treatment equipment, we have witnessed the evolution of modern dentistry firsthand.

As dentistry embraced digital technology, we also recognised that many traditional treatment units had changed very little in the way they occupied the treatment room. Bulky equipment, delivery systems, hoses and floor-level components could take up valuable space, restrict movement around the patient and contribute to a cluttered clinical environment for staff and patients.

We believed there had to be a better way.

The treatment unit—the foundation of every surgery—should support the way modern dental teams work, rather than dominate the room around it. That is why we selected Fimet. Its intelligent electronic design is engineered to remove unnecessary mechanical complexity, while its innovative positioning creates a more open, organised and efficient treatment environment.

With brushless micromotors, cordless technology and integrated diagnostics, Fimet treatment units are designed to improve reliability, minimise maintenance and reduce lifetime ownership costs—while supporting ergonomics, workplace safety, infection control and efficient clinical workflow.

Combining more than four decades of Australian industry experience with Fimet’s Finnish engineering heritage, Empire Dental Devices provides the expertise, service and support to help dental professionals invest with confidence. This is underpinned by our unblemished Australia-wide service and support track record, together with the financial strength of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, which recorded approximately USD $39 billion in 2025 turnover.

For us, it is about more than supplying equipment. It is about rethinking the treatment room and providing the experience, engineering and ongoing support to help protect your investment and deliver lasting value.

Dental Surgery Design

Setting up or refurbishing a treatment room doesn’t always require major modifications or expensive alterations. The right treatment unit can make better use of the available space while supporting how you and your staff work every day.

A Different Approach

Fimet’s innovative design provides more open space for staff and patients to move safely within the operatory. Equipment and hoses are positioned away from traffic areas, helping reduce clutter and create a more open, comfortable and efficient treatment environment—supporting the principles of Australia’s harmonised WHS framework introduced in 2011.

 

Positioning instruments on the assistant’s side of the chair helps keep the working area and surrounding floor space clear, supporting safer and more efficient movement for both staff and patients. The result is greater freedom of movement, fewer visual triggers for anxious patients, and faster cleaning and preparation between patient appointments—helping support efficient practice workflow and patient turnover.

 

Where scientific principles, intelligent design and precision engineering come together.

Fimet Whip-Arm Remote-Control Dental Treatment Units – WorkSafe, Infection Control & Ergonomic Compliance Justification (Australia)

Systems: Fimet Whip-Arm Remote-Control Treatment Units
Application: General dental / specialist operatory fit-out
Location: Australia (WHS / ADA compliant environment)

1. Overview

Fimet Whip-Arm Remote-Control dental treatment units are modern, platform-based systems designed for optimal infection control, WorkSafe (WHS) compliance, and efficient clinical workflow. The whip-arm design combined with cordless remote control allows flexible instrument positioning, assistant-side parking, and open operatory floor zones, improving safety and workflow efficiency.

2. WorkSafe (WHS) Compliance Alignment

Hazard Elimination Safe Operation

Wireless (cordless) foot control eliminates floor cables → reduces trip hazards and contamination surfaces
Open floor zones improve safe patient and staff movement

Manual Handling Ergonomics

Whip-arm delivery allows instruments to be positioned close to dentist or assistant
Reduces awkward postures, repetitive strain, and unnecessary movement
Assistant-side parking creates unobstructed patient entry/exit zones

Safe Movement Access

Clear operatory layout supports emergency access
Reduces collisions and congestion for high-turnover clinics

3. Infection Control (ADA-Aligned)

Enhanced Cleanability

Smooth, non-porous surfaces minimize biofilm traps
Whip-arm keeps instruments off the floor and out of contamination zones
Easy wipe-down between patients

Workflow Separation

Supports defined infection control zones:
Patient access
Clinical working
Cleaning/turnover

Turnover Efficiency

Assistant-side parking allows immediate cleaning
Minimal staff movement accelerates changeover

Hygiene Compatibility

Supports waterline disinfection protocols
Meets Australian ADA infection control guidelines

4. Clinical Workflow Efficiency
Flexible whip-arm positioning supports multiple clinical techniques
Assistant remains stationary during chair repositioning or instrument parking
Optimized for 4-handed dentistry and high patient throughput
Reduces turnaround time between procedures

5. Safety Features
Oil-free hydraulic system reduces contamination risk
Low-voltage operation enhances electrical safety
Stable, compact base reduces collision hazards
Wireless remote control reduces cross-contamination surfaces

6. Technology Ergonomics

Key platform features:

Wireless remote control (cordless operation)
Whip-arm instruments positioned to dentist or assistant side
Parking mode allows clear patient entry/exit
Adjustable chair and delivery for ambidextrous workflows
Open operatory layout improves team movement and emergency access

7. Comparative Advantage

Compared to traditional fixed or bridge-mounted units:

Greater flexibility in instrument positioning
Superior patient access and operatory clearance
Reduced physical strain on staff
Enhanced WorkSafe (WHS) compliance through hazard elimination

8. Compliance Statement

When installed and operated according to:

Australian WHS (Work Health & Safety) regulations
Australian Dental Association (ADA) Infection Control Guidelines
Manufacturer’s instructions and maintenance protocols

Fimet Whip-Arm Remote-Control units provide high standards of clinical safety, infection control, and ergonomic compliance, suitable for modern Australian dental clinics.

9. Conclusion

Fimet Whip-Arm Remote-Control dental treatment units enable:

Safe patient entry/exit
Reduced workplace hazards
Efficient infection control and rapid changeover
High-performance ergonomics for staff

These systems are therefore considered ideal for compliant, safe, and efficient dental operatory environments in Australia.

Designed for Reliability and Lower Ownership Costs

Many traditional systems rely on numerous valves, diaphragms, seals and other wear-prone mechanical components that can deteriorate over time, contributing to leaks, pressure variations and inconsistent performance. Fimet’s intelligent electronic control technology replaces many of these components, reducing mechanical complexity and the potential for wear-related failures. With fewer parts to maintain and fewer variables affecting operation, Fimet is designed to deliver consistent performance while helping reduce servicing, downtime and long-term ownership costs.

The most reliable treatment unit is not the one with the largest service network—it is the one engineered to require the least service in the first place.

Every Movement Matters

 

Everything Within Easy Reach

Least Stressful Design

Dr. R. Slattery

“The instruments need to be somewhere convenient so that you just move your hand to get them. This is the most ergonomic design and the least stressful for the dentist,” Dr Slattery explains. If you have to change the focus of your eyes, [between looking at the patient’s mouth and finding the instruments] it is very tiring, especially when you see so many patients each day. With the F1 whip arm you know the instruments are always there laid out on the tray and are spring-loaded on the arm, so you pull them towards you. It is easy to use and the instruments are light weight in the hand. It really works very nicely and is positioned so the patients can’t see it. I was worried they’d be frightened by it but that’s not a problem.”

Read More

empiredental.com.au/…/Fimet-Case-StudyDr.R.Slattery-2.pdf

Whip-Arm Delivery System

The Fimet whip-arm delivery system turns everyday instrument handling into an ergonomic advantage. Throughout a typical clinical day, dentists and assistants repeatedly reach for, position and return handpieces—making compromises in the design and ergonomics of the instrument delivery system a potentially significant contributor to physical strain and inefficient workflow.

Engineered to minimise physical strain, support precise instrument control and enhance clinical workflow, the lightweight whip-arm delivery system glides effortlessly with virtually no instrument pullback and requires no locking devices. Its exceptionally balanced design maintains smooth, stable positioning throughout treatment, allowing instruments to be retrieved and returned naturally with minimal effort. The result is greater comfort, improved efficiency and enhanced control during both routine and extended procedures.

Transitioning

For clinicians accustomed to traditional hanging hose or over-the-patient delivery systems, transitioning to a whip-arm (Continental) delivery system may require a short period of adjustment as new handpiece positioning and retrieval habits develop.

It is important to recognize that not all whip-arm delivery systems perform equally. The quality of the arm balancing, range of movement, and instrument support significantly influences the clinical experience. A well-engineered whip-arm delivery system should move effortlessly, remain stable throughout treatment, and position instruments naturally without requiring constant adjustment or unnecessary locking mechanisms.

When these engineering principles are properly achieved, the benefits extend well beyond familiarity. Dentists and assistants can experience improved ergonomics, greater instrument control, enhanced workflow efficiency, reduced physical fatigue, and a safer, less cluttered treatment environment that supports modern clinical practice.

F1 ARCUS

from

Only $35 per Day*

*Based on a five-day working week over a 10-year ownership period.

includes

FREE INSTALLATION

conditions apply – contact us for details

ACL

Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) governance, dental equipment must meet high standards for safety, hygiene, and accessibility. If items such as dental chairs or treatment units are installed with exposed control cords on the floor—creating a tripping hazard—or are arranged in a way that impedes clinical workflow, this may constitute a significant issue under the ACL. In such cases, the buyer may be entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund, provided the issue relates to the product itself or the manner of its installation. Suppliers, installers, and designers share responsibility for ensuring that equipment and clinical environments are safe and comply with all relevant standards and guidelines. Where issues fall within their scope of work, they may be obligated to assist in resolving them.

Disclaimer: The information provided is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Whether a product or installation constitutes a major failure under the Australian Consumer Law depends on the specific circumstances.

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Want the latest in high tech, low maintenance technology for your dental surgery?
Speak to Empire Dental, our experts will help you with all of your dental equipment requirements.