The Supply Ordering Mistakes Costing Your Practice Thousands

Dental practices are under increasing pressure to control overhead while delivering quality care. One often-overlooked source of lost revenue is inefficient supply ordering. A recent white paper reveals how outdated procurement processes—called “silent profit leaks”—can quietly drain thousands of dollars annually¹.

This article highlights the paper’s findings and offers actionable steps to save money, reduce burnout, and improve efficiency by modernizing how your practice orders supplies.

Outdated Ordering Drains Time and Money

Many practices still rely on emails, phone calls, catalogs, and spreadsheets to manage supplies¹. These methods feel familiar—but they’re far from efficient. Each order takes an average of 44 minutes of staff time¹. For busy or multi-provider offices, this adds up quickly, pulling staff away from patients and production.

Meanwhile, overhead costs are growing faster than revenue. Between 2013 and 2022, dental practice revenue rose only 2.2%, while expenses jumped **7.7%**¹. The ADA's Health Policy Institute lists rising overhead as one of the top three challenges practices will face in 2025¹.

Fragmented Systems, Opaque Pricing

Many teams manage multiple vendors and systems, with no way to easily compare costs or track inventory¹. This lack of visibility can lead to overpaying by 17% or more for routine supplies¹.

Inaccurate inventory tracking also causes duplicate orders, overstocking, and critical shortages—each of which costs time, money, and impacts patient care¹.

The Human Cost: Burnout and Turnover

Outdated supply processes don’t just waste money—they contribute to burnout. Hygienists, assistants, and front office staff are often pulled from core responsibilities to manage orders. This adds stress and lowers job satisfaction.

According to recent surveys, 35% of dental professionals are considering a job change, citing inefficiency as a major factor¹. Front office staff—often tasked with ordering—face particularly high turnover¹.

A Smarter, Modern Solution

The good news? Digital platforms offer a streamlined approach. Practices using cloud-based systems benefit from:

• Transparent pricing¹

• Real-time inventory tracking¹

• Automated reordering¹

• Centralized vendor management¹

• Team-wide coordination tools¹

This shift doesn’t just reduce stress—it saves money and improves practice performance.

Real Practices, Real Results

Smilen Dental Group cut ordering time by 50% after consolidating 30 vendors into one platform—freeing up hours for clinical care¹.
Garden City Dental Center saved 22% annually—about $27,200—by adopting a more efficient, transparent ordering system¹.

Is Your Practice Leaking Profit?

Ask yourself:

• Does your team spend hours managing supply orders?

• Are you confident you're paying the best prices?

• Do you frequently run out of or overstock supplies?

• Is your current process frustrating or outdated?

If yes, it's time to reevaluate your supply system. Tools like Torch Dental’s “Rate My Practice” calculator can estimate savings and highlight specific improvement areas¹.

Final Thoughts

Silent profit leaks are avoidable. By updating your supply process, your practice can cut costs, boost morale, and improve care.

Whether you're looking to grow, save money, or reduce stress, modernizing supply ordering may be the most impactful move you make this year.

Reference

¹ The Silent Profit Leaks in Your Dental Supply Ordering—and How to Stop Them, Torch Dental