The present invention relates to an apparatus used in dental care environment and to a method for controlling a device belonging to the apparatus, especially to hygienic and ergonomic control of a device belonging to the apparatus in connection with dental care work. The invention includes at least one device (2, 3) used in connection with dental care work, such as a dental unit, a patient chair, a dental x-ray device and/or a computer and at least one user interface (1) for sending control commands to at least one of said devices (2, 3) used in connection with dental care work, whereby a fixed or a detachable means (4) is arranged in said user interface (1) for detachably connecting it to a person working in the dental care environment, to his/her clothing or to the dental unit, or the user interface is arranged as a fixed or a detachable part of clothing arranged to be separately dressed on the person in question or of some other structure to be dressed on.