If you started a dental clinic recently, you may be looking into ways to save money on your dental supplies. After all, you’re going to always need supplies to run your practice, so if there are ways to cut down on costs, they’re worth looking into. Here are a few ways that you can save money when getting started:
Order enough
Make big enough orders that will last for months to come. This way you avoid having to pay for shipping repeatedly and also ensures you stay stocked, no matter what. While you may need to order some products on a frequent basis, you can make bulk orders for dental diamond burs and mirrors, etc.
A lot of dental supply companies will offer discounts for larger orders. Pro tip: consider hiring a dental office manager to help you with everything from taking care of dental orders to helping to manage clients, insurance, etc.
Buy used equipment
If you’re just starting your dental practice, getting started on your business plan, and putting together dental equipment, don’t shy away from using used equipment. There are a lot of companies that sell used dental and medical equipment that is refurbished and like brand-new, but only at a much cheaper price.
If what you want to do is save money while starting your practice, take a look at the type of equipment you could buy at a much lower price than average. If your heart is set on brand-new equipment, there are also over-stock options that while not the latest model, has never been in a dental office or touched by a dental assistant.
Consider “generic” brands
There are a lot of name-brand options in the world of dentistry. While you may care about using the trendy brands, if you want to save money, you may want to consider generic options that offer the same level of quality, only at a cheaper price.
While you may want to use name-brand products when it comes to what you provide for your clients, generic options for mouthwash, etc., are perfectly suitable for a professional dental clinic.
Commit to one supplier, but with caveats
When finding a dental supply provider that offers great pricing, it could be wise to order most of your supplies with them, as you know you’ll get great service and options for your money. However, every now and then, it’s good to shop around and see where you could be saving money on specific supplies.
Additionally, if your main provider knows that you get products from other companies, they may be willing to offer deals on supplies to maintain the lion’s share of business with you.
Look for loyalty programs
One way that you can save money while getting the supplies you need is to order from a supplier that offers rewards for loyalty. As we mentioned above, sometimes it’s helpful to shop around every now and then, to make sure you’re getting good pricing on your supplies.
However, it can be helpful to stay with one provider if they have a great loyalty program that offers you specials on specific products, helping you to save hundreds throughout the year. You could even end up with free products, every now and then when you stay loyal to one specific supplier.
In Conclusion
Running a business can be costly. As a dentist starting a career with a dental practice, you may have had to use a business loan to get started and want to eliminate extra costs. Saving money for dental supplies can be as simple as buying used equipment or ordering products from different providers. Additionally, don’t forget investing in business insurance to protect your clinic, which will also save you money.
Consider these above-mentioned tips as you look for ways to save money while still providing great quality to your patients.
