Inventory Control for Dental Practices

Course Objectives

1. Understand the Financial Impact of Inventory Management
   Learners will recognize the importance of tracking supply costs as a percentage of net production and understand how to use rolling 90-day net production averages to set accurate supply budgets.
   
   
2. Establish an Efficient Ordering System
   Learners will implement a structured ordering process, including dedicated ordering times, visual inventory systems (e.g., tip-out bins), and biweekly cadence to avoid waste and overstocking.
   
   
3. Track and Optimize Inventory Usage
   Learners will create procedure-based supply tracking systems to monitor usage per patient visit, identify areas of waste, and ensure consistency across team members.
   
   
4. Differentiate Between Supply Categories
   Learners will be able to separate general supplies from specialty or lab expenses (e.g., implants, ortho) to improve budget accuracy and assess ROI from specialty services.
   
   
5. Leverage Vendor Relationships and Pricing Tools
   Learners will compare pricing across vendors using spreadsheets or ordering platforms, apply strategic purchasing for disposables vs. premium materials, and verify invoice accuracy regularly.
   
   
6. Utilize Team Collaboration and Communication
   Learners will engage the entire dental team in maintaining inventory systems through tools like whiteboards or shared spreadsheets, and communicate the "why" behind budget decisions.
   
   
7. Manage Incoming Shipments and Redemptions
   Learners will develop a reliable system for unpacking, checking packing slips, documenting backorders, and following up on redemption offers or free goods to avoid missed savings.
   
   
8. Create Accountability Without Burnout
   Learners will balance control and delegation by assigning responsibility while ensuring clarity on ordering authority, usage limits, and open dialogue about ordering requests.
   
   
9. Apply Best Practices to Minimize Overhead
   Learners will understand how proper inventory control contributes to maintaining overhead targets (e.g., <4% for supplies), and why excessive bulk ordering undermines profitability.
   
   
10. Empower Team Members to Lead Inventory Systems
    Learners will identify and support team members to champion inventory systems, fostering leadership and ownership in back office operations.