Most dental practices end up with two uniforms: something that moves with you at the chair, and something a little more polished for the front desk. The trick is choosing both in the same colour, so a patient sees one practice from reception to the surgery. Here's how we'd work through it, using styles we list and what their listings do and don't say.
At the chair: scrub top or tunic?
Dentists, hygienists and dental assistants spend the day leaning, reaching and turning on a stool, so movement comes first. Both garment types can do the job. The difference is mostly the look.
| Scrub top | Tunic | |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | Pull-on V-neck | V-neck, or a collar and placket |
| Look | Clinical | Tailored |
| Sizes | Lettered (XS, S, M) | Numbered (6, 8, 10) |
Scrub tops
The Biz Womens Classic Scrubs Top H10622 is a traditional V-neck in 65% polyester, 35% cotton at 155gsm, listed with "Natural stretch fabric for added comfort" and lower front pockets "with functional concealed inner pockets". It comes in seven colours, including Navy, Royal and Mid Blue, in sizes XS to 3XL. For the men in the surgery, the Biz Unisex Classic Scrubs Top H10612 is the same fabric and colours, in XS to 3XL plus 5XL (there's no 4XL).
If your team wants more give, the City Collection City Active 2 Women's Scrub Top CA2T is recycled polyester with 5% spandex, listed as 4-way stretch, with contrast knit side panels and five pockets: two on the left, three on the right. Its listing names dental teams in its "Best for" line. It only comes in Navy and Royal, sized XXS to 3X.
For pockets close to hand, the Scrubness Alex Scrub Top SN0028 lists a chest pocket, a secure front zip pocket and double side pockets "with pen dividers". It comes in Teal, among other colours, but sizes start at S, with no XS.
Tunics
A tunic looks more tailored than a scrub top, which suits a practice that wants a less clinical look. The City Collection 4-Way Stretch Healthcare Tunic 2280 lists 4-way stretch, an "Air flow action back", side splits, an action sleeve split and double pockets, with contrast trim on the neckline and pocket. It's semi-fitted, in Black, Charcoal, Navy, Royal and Teal, sizes 6 to 30 (Navy also comes in a size 4).
For a more fitted shape, the City Collection Zip Back Healthcare Tunic 2284 names dental teams first in its "Best for" line. It has a curved mandarin collar, double front pockets, an "Invisible zipper back pocket just below waistline" and a side back pocket with accessory loops. The limits: Black or Navy only, sizes 6 to 26.
These tunics come in numbered sizes, the way women's uniforms are sized. For men at the chair, there's the unisex scrub top above, or the City Collection City Active Unisex Healthcare Polo CA4T, which has a zipped chest pocket and comes in Black, Charcoal, Navy and Royal, XXS to 5XL.
None of these listings says the garment is fluid resistant or rates it as PPE. Treat them as uniforms, and follow your practice's own policy for anything worn over them during treatment.
At the front desk
Reception staff are seated, on the phone and greeting people all day, so they need a top that stays neat and looks less clinical. The City Collection Ezylin Short Sleeve Tunic 2151 lists dental reception in its "Best for" line. It's a linen-look recycled polyester, listed as wrinkle free and quick drying, with a mandarin collar, double pockets and side splits. It comes in Royal or Teal, sizes 6 to 30.
The Biz Florence Womens Plain Short Sleeve Shirt CS947LS is a semi-fitted shirt in 94% polyester, 6% elastane, with a longer hem, side splits, pockets and a hidden bust button. Sizes run 4 to 30. Its care line says don't tumble dry, so it needs a line to dry on. For men's and women's shirts that match, our corporate shirts for front-of-house guide compares the options.
One colour from the chair to the desk
The easiest way to make two garments look like one uniform is to buy them from the same family. The Florence shirt above has a matching Biz Florence Womens Plain Tunic CS949LS in the same 94% polyester, 6% elastane and the same eight colours, including Teal, Navy and Cherry. Your hygienist can wear the tunic and your receptionist the shirt, in the same colour from the same range.
Within City Collection, Teal runs across the 2280 chairside tunic and the 2151 reception tunic, and Navy across the 2280, 2284, CA2T and CA4T. Mixing brands works too, but one maker's Navy isn't always another's, so ask us to check the two side by side before you order.
If you'd rather each role had its own colour, our scrubs for clinics guide covers that approach, along with washing and fit.
Where the logo goes
A small practice logo on the left chest suits both garment types. A few things change by style:
- On a V-neck scrub top with no chest pocket, the left chest is clear.
- The H10612 listing mentions a left chest pocket on the men's style, and the Alex lists a chest pocket too, so tell us which style you've chosen and we'll place the logo around it.
- On a tunic with a collar or button placket, keep the logo clear of the placket edge.
Use the same logo size and position on the chairside and reception garments, and the two read as one uniform. Most of these fabrics are light and have some stretch, so a simple logo sits better than a dense one. Our embroidery or printing guide explains the choice, and our team sizing guide helps when sizes run differently across brands. Browse more styles in our tunics collection.
When you know who's wearing what, send us the styles, colours and sizes for each role, plus your logo, through our custom workwear enquiry form, and we'll come back with a quote.
