A Brief Guide to Buying Dental Supplies for Your Office

Starting a dental practice is a challenging undertaking that requires a lot of planning.

Not only are you responsible for the design and build-out of your space, but you also need to hire excellent staff, obtain the necessary permits, build a client list, set up a software system, and order the best equipment.

If you’re opening a new dentist office, it’s essential to make sure you have all of the necessary supplies. Please keep reading for a brief guide to buying dental supplies for your office.

What Dental Equipment Does a Dental Practice Need?

There’s a variety of equipment you’ll need to purchase for your new dental practice before it’s ready to receive patients.

Set a budget and do your research. You’ll want to make sure the equipment is high quality, comfortable, and completely necessary.

Dental Chairs

Dental chairs are one of the most critical pieces of equipment for any dentist’s office. When considering dental chairs, make sure to consider stability, comfort, quality, and how well the chair moves.

X-Ray Equipment

X-Rays are crucial for diagnosing problems and maintaining the overall oral health of your patients. Make sure you buy dental x rays of high quality from reputed suppliers. Check out the latest technologies to ensure you’ll receive high-quality images with greater convenience.

Sterilizing Equipment

To ensure the safety of your patients, staff, and yourself, you’ll need to invest in top-of-the-line sterilizing equipment.

Different sterilizing equipment has specific uses, from dry-heat sterilizers to high-quality water distillers. Check with the American Dental Association for exactly what you’ll need to keep your office safe and your supplies clean.

Dental Lights

Adequate lighting is critical for performing complicated procedures and for making an accurate diagnosis.

Mount dental lights throughout your office. Consider the layout of your office and exam rooms and choose lights that are easy to adjust for each patient.

Lab Equipment

Make sure to purchase high-quality lab equipment to increase efficiency. Some essential lab equipment includes:

• Model trimmers
• Lathes
• Sandblasters
• Microscopes
• Waxers
• Dust collectors
• Pneumatic chisels

Try to purchase lab equipment that comes highly recommended by other dental practitioners. Shop around and consider peer reviews whenever possible.

What Dental Supplies Does Your Dentist Office Need?

After purchasing the necessary equipment, it’s essential to obtain the best dental supplies you’ll need to run your office successfully.

The supplies that you’ll need can be broken down into three categories:

1. Single-Use Supplies

There are several disposable supplies you’ll need daily to run your office smoothly. Some essentials include:

• Face masks
• Exam gloves
• Cotton rolls
• X-ray sensor sleeves
• Air/water syringe tips
• Barrier film
• Dental bibs
• Headrest covers
• Handpiece sleeves
• Sterilization pouches
• Paper cups

Buy in bulk whenever possible. For your convenience, you can find most of these dental supplies online.

2. Hand Instruments

Hand instruments are critical for almost every task and procedure performed at a dentist’s office.

Some essential hand instruments you’ll need include:

• Examination and diagnostic instruments
• Hand cutting instruments
• Restorative instruments
• Surgical instruments
• Specialty instruments

Your need for these instruments depends on the procedures you plan to specialize in. Research what you’ll need and save money by purchasing only what is necessary for your practice.

3. Accessory Instruments

Some examples of accessory instruments may include:

• Scissors
• Syringes
• Spatulas
• Pliers
• Retractors
• Mouth gags
• Amalgam wells
• Air-water tips

Check with your staff and see what tools they prefer to use. There may be several accessory instruments that you and your staff need daily for additional procedures.

Do Your Research

When starting a new dental practice, there are plenty of things you’ll need to consider. One of the most important things is to make sure your office is well stocked with the necessary equipment and dental supplies to ensure your success.

Set a budget and do your research. Purchase supplies that are known for their quality and durability, and come highly recommended by other practitioners.

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love our other health, technology, and business posts. Check them out today!