Abstract: A cushioned counter-balanced reclining dental chair has an underslung carriage which tilts with respect to a support to position a patient's heat at a desired work height. The angle of tilt is established by manual positioning which is facilitated by counter-balancing of the carriage, and is maintained at the desired tilt angle by a telescoping strut joined from the shoulder region of the recliner to the base. A shoulder support retains the patient's shoulders at a fixed distance from the tilt axis, independent of variations in height among patients. A buttocks engaging depression, which becomes more pronounced as the tilt of the carriage is increased to provide higher head positions, prevents the patient from sliding. The buttocks engaging depression's position is adjustable along the carriage to accomodate various body lengths, while at the same time maintaining the patient's shoulders in a shoulder cradle.