Best Dental Supply Companies of 2022

2022-05-28 04:10:49 By : Ms. Niki Luo

Renee is a freelance writer and dental expert who covers industry trends, products, and manufacturers.

Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York. She works in numerous private practices, comprehensively caring for a diverse patient population in all areas of general dentistry.

Purchasing dental supplies for your practice should be a fast, stress-free process so you and your team can focus on what matters most: providing the best patient care possible. That’s why it’s so important to work with a reputable dental supply company that provides the products and services you need to keep your practice running efficiently. 

There are many places to buy dental supplies online, and it can be tempting to go with a website that offers the biggest discounts. Before you do, make sure you’re receiving high-quality products from the brands you trust—and from a reputable supplier. The best dental supply companies have a wide selection of products and services, offer fast, reliable delivery and discounts on the brands you want to use in your office. Here, we’ve compiled the best dental supply companies so you can get the products you need.

From a large selection of products and services to education and financing, you can find everything you need through Patterson Dental. 

Exclusive promotions and service discounts available through rewards program

Webinars to help with continuing education available

Must have an account to see pricing on products and shipping details

Patterson Dental, part of Patterson Companies, offers guidance on more than 130,000 products, equipment, and digital solutions, allowing you to stock your entire practice. The website features products from a long list of leading manufacturers such as 3M, Dentsply Sirona, and KaVo Kerr. The company also offers its own product line. 

As far as items go, you can find anything you need, whether you’re looking for dental materials, disposables, infection prevention, bigger items like equipment and chairs, or advanced technologies such as CAD/CAM and lasers.

Need services to help you grow your practice? Patterson has them, too, with options such as office design and practice management support. Handpiece and equipment repair are other options you may want to take advantage of, as well as financing. Continuing education webinars are also available on the website. 

Patterson offers a rewards program for loyal customers. You can use what’s known as Advantage Dollars toward purchases of products and services. You also have access to savings on technical support, exclusive promotions, and priority scheduling.  

Patterson ships throughout the U.S. Free shipping is available but not on every order.

While any practice can rely on Henry Schein, the company is starting to focus on the needs of large group practices.  

A variety of business-related services are available

Rewards program offers additional discounts, including free shipping

Financing for larger purchases is available

Orders from non-members are subject to shipping charges

Members must have orders of at least $199 to qualify for free shipping

Henry Schein distributes medical and dental supplies worldwide, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and equipment. The company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network to serve more than 1 million customers across the globe and is known for its competitive prices, selection of innovative solutions, and stellar customer service. 

From supplies, small equipment, and practice management software to larger technologies like 3D imaging solutions and 3D printers, Henry Schein offers you everything you need to keep your dental practice on the leading edge of technology and running efficiently. You’ll find products from the most trusted companies, including Planmeca, GC America, and DenMat. 

The site is easy to navigate, with features that allow you to request a quote, demo, or talk to a representative. Thinking of making a larger technology purchase? You can visit a Henry Schein Dental Center for hands-on product experiences. 

Henry Schein also offers a variety of services to help practices with the business side of dentistry. Some of these services come directly from Henry Schein-led initiatives while others are developed through partnerships with reputable dental companies. The supplier offers continuing education (CE) webinars that focus on business topics as well. You also can find webinars that cover a variety of clinical areas and equipment. 

Looking for more? Henry Schein provides in-office repair, office design services, instrument sharpening, and handpiece repair. Financing for larger purchases is also available. 

Loyalty matters, with Henry Schein’s rewards program offering a variety of benefits that include savings on business services, equipment, and shipping. With an annual membership, shipping is included on merchandise orders that are more than roughly $199. Without a membership, all orders are subject to a handling charge.

Benco’s rewards program stands out for its exclusive offers and discounts to loyal customers. 

Discounts available on non-dental products

It can take a few days for BluChip rewards to show up

Members must spend $100 on orders for free shipping

Benco Dental is a full-service dental distributor that has five distribution centers across the U.S. for quick delivery and three showrooms so dentists can test-drive products before they make larger purchases. 

The family-owned company makes it easy to order a variety of supplies and equipment from top companies and even has a reorder button you can access right from the homepage. Additionally, Benco also offers its own product lines. 

When using Benco, you can take advantage of services such as marketing, support, consulting, and financial. Looking for more resources? You’ll find webinars, podcasts, white papers, and on-demand training on the website. 

Benco’s rewards program offers loyal customers a variety of benefits, for an annual fee. Benefits include discounts and rebates on supplies and equipment. You can easily redeem the BluChips earned on purchases via the website or over the phone. 

You also get full access to "buy/gets," which Benco describes as the industry’s most complete system for maximizing manufacturer coupons and offers. How does it work? Benco guarantees members receive free product offers representing at least 5% of merchandise purchases each quarter. Anything less, and Benco will make up the difference in coupons toward Benco Brand products.

And through the 5% Pledge, Benco guarantees you’ll spend 15% less than the national average for dental supplies or they’ll rebate the difference. Discounts on a variety of non-dental retail products are also available. 

Members receive free shipping on orders of more than roughly $100.

Darby offers one- to two-day delivery in most areas of the U.S.

One- to two-day delivery isn’t available everywhere

Orders are subject to shipping fees

Distributor Darby Dental Supply stocks more than 50,000 different products for general practitioners and various specialties. The company also provides technology services, a capital equipment division, equipment repair services, and a full line of private label products.

Personalized customer service is a focus, as is reducing supply costs, increasing cash flow, minimizing administrative expenses, and improving inventory management in dental offices. 

Orders can be delivered in one to two days throughout most of the U.S. Darby has several warehouse distribution centers across the country that rely on automation and shipping technologies that ensure availability, reduce inventory costs, and enable fast delivery.

Darby also offers special features for group practices, making it easy to monitor buying activity for multiple clinics. Office managers receive real-time information for approval and processing, allowing group practices to manage purchasing operations without major capital investment in hardware and communications equipment.

Products can be shipped throughout the United States. Orders less than about $150 are subject to about a $13 shipping fee and orders of roughly $150 and more are subject to around $9 in shipping fees.

Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply

This dental supply company gets products to you quickly, with 98% of orders shipping the same day. 

Same-day shipping for quick delivery

Personalized customer service and support

Below order minimum fees for orders $75 or less

Shipping charges for all orders

Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply started out providing local dental professionals with various products. The company now has a 36,000-square-foot office/warehouse facility, three showrooms and delivers to the 48 contiguous states. 

The distributor offers a variety of products including PPE and infection control items as well as technologies like CAD/CAM, cone beam, and X-rays. Brands sold include Midmark, Air Techniques, Hu-Friedy, Ivoclar Vivadent, and Carestream Dental. Services such as office design and consultation, technology support, repair services are also available. 

This is the supply company to turn to if you need something fast. Orders are processed quickly, with 98% of them leaving the warehouse same-day. And if an item you need is temporarily out of stock, a Midwest customer service representative will recommend a substitution or other delivery options. 

Orders less than around $75 will incur a below minimum order fee. All orders have a shipping fee of about $10.

Pearson offers products from top companies that cover a variety of specialty areas including orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry. 

Free CE and repair services

Website navigation could be smoother

Shipping charges and fees on orders below the minimum amounts apply

Pearson is a family-operated business that’s focused on providing personalized customer service to general dentists as well as specialists. The distributor offers a large inventory of products from well-known brands as well as its own line. And with 10 branches across the United States and 130,000 products in stock, it’s easy to find the supplies you need to keep your practice running smoothly. Free CE and repair services are also available. 

If you’re getting ready to purchase a practice or update your current office, Pearson equipment specialists can help you find the right location, secure financing, and design your office. Trained technicians can then complete equipment installation. Pearson also can service dental equipment the company installs. 

The dealer’s strength in bulk purchasing allows Pearson to offer low prices. Clearance and discounted items are also available on the website. 

Orders typically ship in two to three days. Shipping costs vary per item sold depending on product weight and travel distance. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. Domestic orders have about a $25 minimum and international orders have roughly a $75 minimum.

Safco offers quality products at a low price, with no surprises or no need to haggle, making the process easy and efficient for smaller offices. 

Customers get the best prices upfront

Free same-day shipping available with no extra handling fees or surcharges

Shipping charges apply for orders less than $100

Large equipment isn’t offered

Safco provides high-quality dental products at a low price. You know you’re getting the price promised by your sales rep, whether you buy from one of the industry’s top brands or from Safco’s own product lines. 

Safco is an authorized distributor for every manufacturer the company represents, and every product warranty receives full support. Brands include Young, Coltene, and Kulzer. 

And while you can certainly reach out to your rep when you need to, you don’t have to worry about unwanted calls when you’re busy. Safco makes ordering supplies easy and painless whenever you have the time, allowing you to focus on your patients. 

The distributor offers everything from uniforms to small equipment, so you can find just about anything you need for your practice. CE and other resources are also housed on the website. Also, you can find a variety of promotions available for extra savings. 

In a hurry? You can get free same-day shipping for orders more than roughly $100, with no extra handling fees or surcharges. Orders placed by 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and 3:30 CT on Friday go out that day. 

Orders less than roughly $100 have about a $10 service fee. Next day air and other shipping services are available for an extra charge. Safco ships to the 48 contiguous states.

Being able to easily order dental supplies from a large list of trusted brands is key to keeping your practice running smoothly. Working with a reputable dental supply company like the ones included here will give you access to the products you need as well as discounts, promotions, and other perks. If you're looking to supply a smaller practice, Safco Dental Supply is an ideal choice, while Henry Schein is your best bet if you need supplies for a larger practice. Patterson Dental, however, is our best overall choice because of its large selection, financing options, and educational resources. At the end of the day though, whichever one you choose will need to be suited to your specific needs.

Selecting the right dental supply company is only half the battle. To make ordering supplies as efficient as possible, it’s necessary to have a system in place to help further streamline the process.

First, it’s important to only have one person ordering supplies. If multiple team members are involved, reorders might fall through the cracks because everyone assumes someone else handled it. Tasking one person with ordering supplies will ensure it actually gets done. This team member should know how to look for ways to save money and how much to order at a time. 

It's also key to develop a system so you know when products are getting low and need to be reordered in order to avoid the frustration and hassle of running out of a product you need. And try not to wait until the last minute to place those orders. If you do, you may end up spending extra money on expedited shipping fees. 

Finally, stick with one distributor if possible. Joining loyalty programs can help you save money while working with the same sales rep also has its advantages. Sales reps are familiar with what their customers need and will often work with you to help you get the best product pricing. They can also be helpful when you’re making bigger purchases or looking to take advantage of other services the distributor offers. 

Remember, while you want to save money on supply and equipment purchases, minimize the time spent haggling or searching for deals. Work with your sales rep and know where to look for promotions on your supplier’s website and keep track of when it's time to reorder. These practices will streamline the process so you and your team can spend more time focusing on patient care. 

Dental supply companies sell a variety of dental products, including small and large equipment, from well-known brands directly to dental offices. Many suppliers offer their own brands as well as various services including repair, financing, consulting, and office design. 

There are typically shipping charges, though with some companies fees are waived for purchases over a certain amount. Joining loyalty programs also may cost you an annual fee, but membership gives you access to additional discounts and other benefits.

Reputable companies sell products from trusted dental brands and are well-known in the industry. If you’re not sure about a company, consult with colleagues to see if they have any experience with the company. 

Working with a dental supply company makes it easy to get the products you need, often at a discounted rate. 

When reviewing dental supply companies, we included distributors that deliver throughout the United States. We looked at several companies to assess product availability, variety of brands offered, shipping, and opportunity for discounts. Reputation and services offered were other key factors for inclusion on the list.

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