Because dental practices rely so heavily on supplies, it's vital to make well-informed decisions.
Sponsored ContentBy Denis G. McNicholl
Dental practices rely on supplies. From day-to-day items like bibs and floss to hard-to-source drugs and supplies, it’s essential that your office is always well stocked—and that you have a trustworthy supply partner that keeps you that way.
So how do you select a credible, dependable supplier? And how do you ensure that they are able to find what you need when pharmaceutical and dental supply distribution channels face chaos and disruption? The best way to do so is to find a partner that embraces best industry practices. Here are what we consider the top five most important guidelines for a truly effective supply partner.
Customer Service
It almost goes without saying, but the most important criteria when selecting a supplier is that they provide the level of service that you need and want. Excellent customer service is a win-win for both suppliers and dental offices, building loyalty, providing valuable communications, flexibility, and responsiveness. Are you getting the personalized attention that you require when you contact your (prospective) supplier to make a purchase?
Competitive Pricing
Managing your supplies is not only important for serving patients but in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it helps to keep costs down. The other way to manage your costs is to work with a supplier that has or can get you what you want, when you want it, at a fair price. It may be that you are willing to pay a little more for better service and other considerations like selection or quality, but it’s a real advantage when you don’t have to.
Volume/Order Size
Another measurement of a valued supplier is how and whether they meet your ordering needs, regardless of the size of your office. Do they have order minimums that stretch your budget or does the potential supplier only sell in bulk? If you aren’t responsible for ordering for a dental service organization (DSO) and run a small practice, you will need the flexibility to purchase your dental materials in modest batches.
Selection
Another supplier litmus test is the type of selection they have available for ordering. Obviously, you need to be able to easily find everything that your dental practice needs. If it’s not it in stock, will they quickly and affordably source the items for you? In a pinch, does the supplier have the knowledge and the variety of products available to make informed expert recommendations for alternative items that will suit you as well?
Preparedness
In addition to the IV injectables, anesthesia, sedation drugs, and other supplies your dental practice regularly orders, potential supply partners must be able to outfit your team for the unexpected. Is your office ready to face any staff or patient crises? If not, choose a partner that maintains a wide selection of emergency necessities for any situation, from simple first aid to airway management and ventilation, don’t let your practice be caught out.
Conclusion
There are a lot of moving parts when researching suppliers that will meet the wide-ranging needs of your practice. If you are looking for a new supply partner that checks all the boxes in this overview of best industry practices, please visit Medical Purchasing Solutions or give us a call at 888.894.2487. We are happy to walk you and your team through our pricing, small-batch ordering, and extensive distribution capabilities.
We are especially proud to share with you the Vitalert Medical Emergency Kit that prepares any team to save a life. Each Vitalert Kit includes the premium CodeBlue Monitoring System that allows 24/7 online medication management, tracks expiration dates, and alerts you when it is time to replace inventory.
