Opening a new dental practice is no easy feat.
It requires designing and building an accommodating space, hiring experienced staff, obtaining the necessary permits, setting up a user-friendly software system, and building a consistent client list. Most importantly, you’ll need to make sure you have the equipment to get your office up and running successfully.
If you’re planning on opening your own dental practice, it’s critical to make sure you have the necessary dentist office essentials. Please keep reading for a quick guide to buying dental supplies for your office.
Essential Dentist Office Equipment
Before you’re ready to receive patients, several items of equipment are needed for a dental office to open successfully.
Some essential dental equipment includes:
- Dental chairs
- X-Ray Equipment
- Sterilizing Equipment
- Operating Lights
- Lab Equipment
- Practice Management Software
Research brands and read the equipment reviews. Make sure the items you purchase are comfortable, high quality, long-lasting, and necessary for the procedures your office specializes in.
What Dentist Office Supplies Does Your Practice Need?
Once you have the necessary equipment for your office, it’s time to focus on ordering supplies.
What supplies should be included on your dentist office checklist? Dental supplies are usually broken up into several categories:
Disposable Supplies
There are many single-use supplies needed to run a busy dentist office smoothly day after day.
Some examples of the disposable dental supplies you’ll need includes:
- Face Masks
- Gloves
- Paper cups
- Handpiece sleeves
- Headrest covers
- Dental bibs
- Cotton rolls
- Barrier film
- X-ray sensor sleeves
- Sterilization pouches
- Prophy cups and brushed
- Air-water syringe tips
The amount of single-use supplies you’ll need is significant and can sometimes seem challenging to manage. Find a practice management software that comes with an inventory management system to ensure you always have enough in stock.
Examination and Diagnostic Instruments
These are the tools used most often on a day-to-day basis at the office, making them some of the most critical supplies you’ll need.
Perio probes, cotton forceps, explorers, and mouth mirrors are a few examples of instruments you’ll want to keep on hand. They make it possible to examine a patient’s mouth thoroughly and will keep your dentist office running efficiently.
Hand Cutting Instruments
Hand cutting instruments help remove tooth decay and provide various options for assistants, hygienists, and dentists to prepare teeth for the healing process.
Examples of hand cutting instruments include:
- Elevator
- Hoe
- Excavator
- Gingival Margin Trimmer
- Hatchet
- Chisel
- Scalers
Restorative Instruments
Make sure to include plenty of restorative instruments when developing the inventory for your new dentist office. Some of these include:
- Condensers
- Burnishers
- Carvers
- Woodson
- Amalgam carrier
- Composite placement instruments
These tools are essential for restoring your patient’s teeth. Shop around for the best quality, and plan to keep several on hand when needed.
Specialty and Surgical Instruments
If you’re planning to perform specialty or surgical procedures, like implants, teeth straightening or extractions, you’ll need a sufficient supply of quality instruments. These may vary depending on the dental practice and whether you plan to offer endodontic, orthodontic, or periodontal procedures.
Accessory Instruments
There are plenty of miscellaneous accessory instruments to include in your inventory. You or other staff members may need the following items for additional procedures:
- How Pliers
- Retractors
- Scissors
- Spatulas
- Syringes
- Articulating paper holders
- Amalgam wells
- Mouth gags
- Air-water tips
The size of your practice will determine the number of accessory supplies that you’ll need daily. Use your inventory management system to keep up with your office’s supply and demand and stay on track.
Do Your Research
If you’re opening a new dentist office, there are plenty of things you’ll need to consider to ensure success. Make sure your office is well stocked with the equipment and supplies you’ll need to run a busy and efficient practice.
Do your research. Make a list of what you need and shop around for the necessary supplies known for their quality, durability, and lasting performance. Keep your inventory well-stocked, and you’re that much closer to being the best dentist office around.
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