The global market size for dental equipment, supplies, and materials is expected to reach $70.8 billion in 2024. That’s up from $60.5 billion in 2019.
One of the top reasons for the
growing demand for dental supplies is an increase in the number of dental
practices in recent years. In the US alone, there were roughly 196,999 dental practices at the end of November 2021. For these practices to run
efficiently, they need to be properly equipped.
An increasing trend among dentists
is to source dental equipment online. Part of the reason for this is that
shopping online is highly convenient.
But there are challenges that come
with buying supplies online too. That’s why it helps to make the right
decisions so you get the best value for your money.
In this blog, we give you five sure
tips to follow when you purchase dental equipment online so you get top-quality
supplies at a good price.
Always
Buy From Reputable Manufacturers
There’s a colossal counterfeit
dental supplies industry out there, so you need to be vigilant to avoid getting
scammed. The best way to ensure that you get top-grade dental supplies is to
work with reputable manufacturers. Stick to popular industry names as they’re
known to make trustworthy products.
Where you’re buying from a
lesser-known manufacturer do some digging to find out how long they’ve been
around. The longer a manufacturer has been in the industry, the more likely
they are to make good quality products.
You can also talk to other dentists
to know which brands they prefer to work with and why. Word of mouth
information is very effective in helping separate the wheat from the chaff.
Once you encounter a brand you
trust, it’s best to stick with them for as long as possible. If possible,
source the majority or all of your dental equipment from as few manufacturers
as possible to ensure consistency.
Choose
Retailers Carefully
Once you’ve identified a list of manufacturers
you’d like to purchase from, find out whether you can buy directly from them.
If that’s not possible, you’ll need to get these supplies from retailers. In
this case, you’ll be looking to buy dental equipment from online retailers.
Take the time to identify retailers
you can trust. Look for top brands as they tend to have the best customer
service. Besides, these retailers only stock top-quality products and work with
the best manufacturers.
Use the Better Business Bureau to
find retailers with a stellar reputation. You may also visit their website and
check customer reviews to find out whether previous customers seem satisfied
with the retailer’s services.
Major online retailers will usually
have several customer service options to help customers reach them easily when
need be. These include working phone numbers, live chat, a help desk, email
address, and so on. You should always be able to find an agent to help you
through one of these ways.
Read
Product Reviews
If you’re considering a product
you’ve never used before in your dental practice, it’s a good idea to read
reviews on the product before you buy it. The good news is that you can almost
always find reviews of any dental equipment on sale online.
Ideally, you want to choose products
that have positive reviews from knowledgeable individuals, such as other
dentists. Most reviews will use the star system to rank their satisfaction with
a product. Using this approach, one star indicates poor quality, while five
stars show that the item is of superior quality.
When it comes to dental equipment,
you can’t afford to compromise on quality. Look for supplies whose average
rating is five stars. Dental supplies are essentially medical supplies, and
even a 4.8 rating should be avoided if possible.
Consult
Your Staff
Your dental practice employees are
the people who’ll be using the dental equipment, so their opinion should carry
a lot of weight. Consider their wants before purchasing a particular piece of
equipment. Ask them whether they have a preferred brand and why they like that
specific brand.
Besides recommending which models
and brands to consider, your staff may also suggest which online suppliers are
the best. Such information can help save you lots of time in deciding who to
buy from.
Of course, there are times you’ll
make purchasing decisions that override your staff’s opinions. In such cases,
be sure to choose supplies you know your employees will have little difficulty
learning how to use. Where some training is required to use the equipment, set
aside time to provide it.
Check
the Return Policy
Dental equipment doesn’t come cheap.
The Intraoral Scanner, for instance, will set you back well over ten grand.
That’s why you need to buy from an online supplier with a strong return policy,
so you don’t lose all that money in case it turns out that the product doesn’t
meet your expectations.
Avoid online retailers who prohibit
returns entirely. Any retailer worth their salt will have no problem replacing
defective equipment or refunding your money if need be.
That said, you should note that even
the best return policies allow you to return the product within a specified
timeframe. It’s only fair to observe this time interest if you need to return a
supply.
Buy
Dental Equipment Online the Right Way
Buying dental equipment online is a
great way to equip your dental practice conveniently. However, you need to do
things right to make sure you end up with top-quality equipment without having
to overpay for them. With the tips we’ve shared in this guide, you should get
everything right from the start.
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