Disorganized and arbitrary inventory control and ordering leads to unnecessary practice overhead, wasted supplies, and loss of profit. Dental practices are losing hundreds to thousands of dollars due to disorganized inventory methods and too many employees authorized to purchase supplies. Introducing a fully integrated inventory system not only improves profit margins, but also increases communication among team members and facilitates a more convenient and efficient ordering protocol

These revenue depleting situations occur because multiple team members have access to ordering information, are not communicating with each other about what they are ordering, and there is no protocol in place for purchasing. Inconsistencies may also occur because dental practices use multiple sources for purchasing, thereby failing to take advantage of discount opportunities, ease in ordering, and minimal shipping costs. Finally, for those practices that do have an inventory and ordering system in place, inventory disorder may develop from failing to determine actual and realistic practice supply needs. This may result from uncertainty regarding the lag time between ordering and delivery, disparity between actual demand for supplies and expectations, and using the eyeball method for stocking and ordering.

By reducing costs due to waste and excess supplies, the goal of inventory management is to establish a process that maintains a steady expense level, avoids ordering mistakes, and predictably orders and maintains supplies on a regular basis.1 Successful inventory control begins with assessing the current situation and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the practice’s existing ordering system. Initially, the practice should identify the current overhead percentage for inventory ordering.

Although a practice may authorize multiple team members to order supplies, it is recommended that one or as few people as necessary do the ordering to create a more systematic approach. One method for accomplishing this is to create a job description for a supply coordinator and have clinical team members apply for the role as a separate position. With a staff member dedicated to ordering and maintaining inventory, the practice can reinforce the importance of inventory control and help integrate the new system into place. It also streamlines the reordering process, improving the consistency.

The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by AGD for Fellowship, Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement.