According to the American Dental Association (ADA), in 2019 there were 200,419 dentists using their degree in some manner in the United States. And though it varies state by state, for every 100,000 people, there are 61.1 dentists. Over 6,000 new dentists graduate from dental school each year. And while not all of them plan on starting a dental practice, many of them will.

A dental office is like any other business. That means your dental business needs to buy products and services from outside vendors.

Keep in mind that not all vendors are alike. If you’re looking for a dental office supplier, keep reading. 

You’ll discover how to find the best professionals to work with. 

Steps to Take When Starting a Dental Practice

The good news is that the failure rate of dental practices is very low. In fact, being a dentist is commonly rated as one of the top 10 best professions. 

Dentists also enjoyed a high-profit margin when compared to other businesses. The average overhead for a private dental practice is between 55% and 73%. 

But that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed success. The more you know, the greater the opportunity for increasing your income. 

Build a Network of Trusted Advisors

Start by building a network of trusted advisors such as:

• Dental-specific building contractors
• A dental equipment specialist
• Specialized CPA
• Money Lenders

Each advisor should be dental-specific. You want to surround yourself with people who know and understand your business model and industry. 

Learn About Running a Business

Being a great dentist is not the same thing as being a great business person. And many dental schools don’t teach students how to start and build their business. 

It’s up to you to learn the business of dentistry. Create a dental business plan so you can more effectively establish and reach your goals. 

Learn about entrepreneurship and marketing through courses, mentoring, reading books, or attending seminars. 

Get Financially Savvy

Learn how to create and stick to a budget. Get your credit and business scores as high as you can and maintain your high level of creditworthiness.

Never overextend yourself. And if you carry debt, make sure it’s manageable. 

Qualities in Vendors Dental Practices Should Look For

Not only should your vendor’s primary focus be on doing business with those working in the field of dentistry, but they should also possess certain qualities.

The business relationships you form are important. Here’s what to look for:

Accountability

Humans aren’t perfect. And even technology fails us from time to time. 

Mistakes happen, but it’s how the vendor handles errors that can make a difference. A good vendor will take responsibility and offer a quick solution.  

Expertise 

Dentistry has certain rules, regulations, and guidelines that every dental practice must follow. And sometimes that affects what products you can safely use.

Your vendor needs to know and understand those rules and regulations. They must also understand your target market. 

Culture

Remember that people do business with people not companies. Make sure you’re working with vendors whose culture and values closely match yours. 

You might want to find a supplier who’s always offering new products. Perhaps a supplier who can help you reduce your environmental footprint is more your style. 

Questions to Ask Suppliers

Here are a few questions to ask your supplier to find out if they’re a good fit:

• What kind of companies do you usually work with?
• Do you have a minimum order quantity?
• What do they know about your dental practice?

Ask how detailed their quotes are. Those who tailor their quotes to your specific requirements are the ones to do business with. 

Communication

Every relationship thrives on good communication. And when working with suppliers, how they communicate will directly affect your relationship.

Make sure the companies you do business with communicate effectively by:

• Responding in a timely manner
• Is fluent in your language
• Speaks openly and directly

Transparency in a company is important. When something goes wrong you want honesty. 

How to Reduce Overhead

The key is reducing overhead expenses without reducing the level of quality you provide your patients. That’s not always easy, but it is doable. 

Evaluate the True Cost of Supplies

Create a system to track your purchases and inventory. This will help you manage your budget and help you keep your supply company accountable. 

Remember you could be paying hidden costs such as:

• Restocking fees
• Defective product returns
• Overstocked items held in inventory
• Shipping and handling

Look for where you can maximize on a free offer. Make sure you always receive credit if a supplier makes a mistake and get it in writing. 

Consolidate Purchases

Buying items from several suppliers may not save you money. Even if their prices are lower, by not consolidating your purchases to one place, you’re giving away some of your purchasing power.

If one company has 100% of your business, they’re often more willing to provide better deals to keep your business. A company with only a small part of your business perhaps isn’t as willing to do so. 

Consider Quality Vs Price

Don’t buy the cheapest. Buy the best. A well-made item will last you longer and cost you less in the long run.

Also, your patients could notice if you’re using a quality brand. And that can make a difference in how they view your services.

Look for Rewards Programs

Vendors know how to help save you money. Ask them to teach you how to order more effectively. 

Also, it’s not uncommon for suppliers to offer special programs, weekly specials or free products. 

Make Us Your Supplier

We know that starting a dental practice requires hard work. And we’re here to help you reach your success goals as quickly as possible.

We can help supply you with all your dental needs at great prices. Click here to register for your new account today. 

Is the cost of your dental office supplies getting out of hand?

There’s no getting around the fact that you need certain supplies to keep your dental office running smoothly. But you don’t have to pay a premium for those materials.

Being strategic about how you order your dental supplies can make a significant dent in how much you spend.

The average dental practice overhead is 60% to 65%. Supplies are only one part of your overhead, but cutting your dental supply budget can decrease your overhead, which makes your practice more profitable.

Check out these 10 ways to cut expenses when you order dental supplies.

1. Assess Your Budget

Effective budgeting is an important part of dental practice management.

Spend some time looking over your budget for dental supplies. Then, compare that to what you’re actually spending each month. Do the two numbers match up?

The ideal budget for dental supplies is 5% to 6% of your total overhead. Having a good understanding of your overall financial picture helps you calculate those numbers.

Knowing where your budget stands helps you set goals and track how you’re cutting expenses.

2. Take Control of Ordering

Ideally, you’ll have one person who handles all of the ordering. This allows you to hold that person accountable.

It also makes it easier to avoid double ordering supplies or making mistakes on orders.

Take control of the supplies your office orders. Make sure everything that goes onto the order is necessary.

Set procedures and expectations for ordering so that the person who handles it has guidelines.

3. Know Your Needs

Knowing what you actually use and how much you use in a month is important for accurate ordering.

You might quickly go through some supplies on a regular basis. Gloves are a perfect example.

Other things might not be used as quickly. Evaluate supply usage and communicate with your staff for necessary insight.

4. Get Freebies From Manufacturers

Even a small quantity of free supplies can help reduce your supply budget.

It also gives you a chance to test out new supplies before you order them. Without sacrificing quality, you might find that a certain brand is a lot cheaper than what you normally order. Or you might discover that another brand performs poorly, so it’s not worth the money you’d save on it.

5. Comparison Shop

Do you stick with one vendor out of convenience? You’re likely paying more than necessary if you aren’t comparison shopping.

Large markups on dental supplies mean vendors can offer you lower prices to earn your business. Using a little healthy competition between vendors can help you come out ahead.

Our marketplace makes it easy to benefit from vendor competition. You can easily compare the options to find the lowest prices.

6. Look for Alternatives

It’s easy to order the same brands and types of supplies every month. But there could be alternatives that are just as good but at a lower price.

Many products could be similar no matter who produces them. Save on costs by looking for alternative manufacturers or different versions of the same product from your favorite manufacturer.

If you need new dental equipment, consider buying used equipment. Avoid equipment that’s outdated, but buying gently used equipment that’s still in excellent condition can save you money.

7. Consider Payment Methods

The way you pay for your dental supplies can help save you money.

If you use a credit card to pay, look at the interest and fees you’re paying. If you don’t pay off the balance each month, you’re increasing your dental supply costs with the interest being paid.

Not paying your account on time can add to your expenses. Vendors often add charges if you don’t pay within a certain time frame.

8. Keep an Accurate Inventory

Having an accurate inventory system ensures you order the right amount of each supply.

Having too much on hand means you’re spending more than you need. Buying in bulk is often cheaper, but if it takes you over a year to use up bulk supply inventory, you can probably save money by ordering smaller amounts.

Running out of supplies before your next order is also expensive. You might have to place a rush order, adding more costs for expedited shipping or quick delivery.

Your inventory system helps you check historical usage and the current levels of your supplies. That information lets you make better ordering decisions so you don’t overspend.

9. Buy Reusable Supplies

Many dental supplies are available in disposable and reusable versions. Disposable options are often convenient because you don’t have to worry about repeatedly sanitizing them. But you also end up spending a lot more money over time on the disposable versions.

Safety glasses are an example. You can get disposable safety glasses for the dentists and assistants in the office. They might seem cost-effective per pair, but the investment adds up quickly.

If you buy reusable safety glasses, you’ll pay more upfront. But you’re cutting down significantly on your monthly costs and often save money over time.

Look at the disposable supplies you use frequently. Determine if there’s a reusable version available. Compare the costs to see how much you would save over time to decide if reusable is the better option.

10. Assess Quality vs Cost

The cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective in the long run.

Look at the quality of products in addition to the cost. Paying more to get a product that works a lot better and lasts a lot longer can help your long-term supply budget.

Save Money on Dental Office Supplies

Cutting your dental supply budget can improve your overall profitability. A few changes to your ordering routine can make a big difference.

Are you looking for a new way to buy your dental office supplies? Learn more about how our system works to start saving money on the things you need.