Lately, just about every dentist I talk to is feeling the pinch when it comes to every cost: especially dental supplies! Prices are creeping up, shipping delays are real, and it’s getting harder to keep costs in check. But here’s the thing, staying under 4% for supply costs is still absolutely possible. It just takes a little more attention and a few systems.

If you don’t already have a budget and a tracking system in place, that’s step one. Most practices overspend not because of waste, but because they’re not watching the numbers closely enough. Set a monthly supply budget, ideally around 4% of collections, and make sure someone on your team is tracking it every week. Visibility creates accountability. If you’re a member of DSN, we have spreadsheets to help that you can download from the document library!

Second, consolidate your vendors. Of course DSN has crazy-good deals with vendors that give huge pricing. Sign up to DSN today for those savings. I see too many practices order from five or six different places, chasing tiny discounts. Instead, you could have DSN run a price comparison and track down where is the best place to get your supplies for maximum savings!

Finally, tighten up your inventory. Keep a clean supply closet. Label bins. Set par levels. You’d be shocked at how much expired, unused stuff collects when no one’s watching. Assign a “supply quarterback” to take ownership of this area and give them clear numbers to hit.

And of course if you need an indepth guide, DSN has a manual written just for this purpose, the “Dental Supply Ordering Manual” available on Amazon.