Patent ID: 7455520

Claim:
An operating system for a dental practice, comprising a dental unit including an instrument holder for a number of dental instruments, which are individually selectable by removal from the holder, and means for control and execution of a plurality of functions related to a dental treatment including operational functions for said dental instruments and a first group of auxiliary functions, an adjustable patient's rest comprising means for control and execution of adjustment functions thereof, at least one multi-function activation device incorporating at least one operating member for independent execution of a number of distinct operational function for dental instruments as well as auxiliary and/or adjustments functions, and computer means connected with said at least one multi-function activation device and said dental unit and patient's rest and comprising means for changing a functionality of said at least one activation device between a plurality of distinct functionalities for execution of distinct groups of said operational, auxiliary and/or adjustments functions, said computer means including interactive display means for display of a configuration of symbols representing the distinct group of said operational, auxiliary and/or adjustments functions executable by a distinct functionality of said at least one activation device, said computer means further including a user interface for simultaneous display on said display means of a first configuration of individually selectable symbols representing a number of said plurality of distinct functionalities and a second configuration of individually selectable symbols representing operational, auxiliary and/or adjustments functions of the distinct group of functions executable by the distinct functionality represented by a selected symbol of said first configuration, said second configuration of symbols including at least one further symbol representing a change of the functionality of the at least one activation device, and means for controlling the multi-function activation device for individual execution of an operational, auxiliary and/or adjustment function or a change of functionality represented by a symbol of said second configuration including said further symbol.