Building a Procurement-Savvy Dental Team
Your team makes dozens of supply decisions daily. Here's how to ensure those decisions support your practice's financial health.
Why Procurement Training Matters
Without guidance, staff often:
- Order from habit, not value
- Miss bulk discount opportunities
- Create inventory imbalances
- Choose convenience over cost
Key Training Areas
1. Understanding True Costs
Teach your team to consider:
- Unit cost vs. per-use cost
- Shipping and handling fees
- Storage costs for bulk orders
- Waste from expiration
2. Approved Supplier Lists
Create clear guidelines:
- Primary suppliers for each category
- When alternatives are acceptable
- Approval process for new vendors
- Emergency ordering protocols
3. Inventory Management Basics
- Par level concepts
- FIFO (First In, First Out)
- Expiration monitoring
- Reorder timing
4. Using Procurement Platforms
Train on your ordering system:
- Searching and comparing products
- Applying filters effectively
- Checking order history
- Tracking shipments
Creating Accountability
Designate a supply coordinator:- Owns inventory management
- Reviews orders before submission
- Tracks spending against budget
- Reports on savings opportunities
- Monthly supply cost review
- Quarterly supplier performance assessment
- Annual contract negotiations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering too frequently (shipping cost waste)
- Emergency orders from non-contracted suppliers
- Not rotating stock properly
- Ignoring contract pricing
TGP Training Support
We provide members with:
- Platform training for your team
- Best practices guides
- Ongoing support and tips
- Quarterly business reviews