4 Things COVID-19 Taught Me About The Dental Industry Supply Chain
A long time ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic even happened, we placed our materials orders in a very laid-back manner. Needs were written on a board, and orders were placed at the end of the week. We ordered almost everything from one main supplier and generally received what we ordered the next business day.
Then, COVID hit us and changed the world. Suddenly, I was more worried about supply chain issues than I ever thought possible. I kept hearing stories about practices using garbage bags as disposable gowns; what if we didn’t have enough PPE? How about materials? Prices were through the roof. There was a shortage of septocaine, and materials were taking weeks to get to us when they were available at all.
Pause the drama and fast-forward a couple of years. This is what I learned:
1. Standardize materials and equipment as much as possible.
We used to buy two or three different types of gloves because our dentists liked different ones and had been using them for the last ten or 15 years.
COVID came, and we went from that scenario to buying the available gloves, the gloves that made more sense financially, the gloves that got to us the fastest.
Now we buy one type of glove in small, medium and large. That’s it, thank you!
2. Know and ask about your lead times.
Lead time is the time it takes a supplier to have things ready for delivery. COVID disrupted supply chains everywhere, and it took longer for goods to get from one place to the other.
Website items were starting to appear as back ordered or long-term backorders. When I asked, suppliers would tell me the lead time on this, or that is between 6-8 weeks or 12 weeks, or worse, they didn’t have a lead time yet because they were waiting for raw materials.
3. Manage inventory.
There are certain things we need to operate: PPE, anesthetic, sterilization pouches and solutions, sanitation wipes, and liquids. Those are non-negotiable basics; there is no alternate, so maintain a healthy inventory of those items. Build a nice cushion for peace of mind and to make life easier.
We were used to receiving most supplies in one or two days. Now, lead times and delivery times are longer. Don’t wait until you are using the last box of something to place the order; do it when you have two or three left.
4. Diversify your suppliers.
There are four or five big distributors of dental materials nationwide, plus maybe two or three in your local area. Cultivate a positive relationship with at least two; don’t limit yourself to one distributor.
Know the reps of the main brands and products you use most; they are a fantastic resource. Additionally, there are plenty of online dental markets; work with one of them, too. Using a diversified portfolio of suppliers takes more time than buying everything from one place; however, it provides more flexibility in availability and pricing.
COVID changed the way we think about purchasing our materials. Now, when I place orders, I open the websites of our main three suppliers and compare prices, times, and sometimes, I also check Amazon. It takes more time, but it has allowed me to maintain our dental materials budget throughout these years, which is a win.
About the Author
Carolina Perez holds an undergraduate degree in communication and a master’s in group dynamics. Her original background is in corporate communications, training, and development. In 2007, Carolina relocated from her home country of Venezuela to Houston. Today, she serves as the clinical director of Echeverri Dental CenterThis link opens a new tab to Echeverri Dental Center website.
