The dental industry, like many others, can be significantly impacted by global supply chain disruptions by events like the COVID-19 pandemic or other natural disasters. The COVID-19 “bullwhip” – a fancy term for how disruptions magnify throughout supply chains – hit the dental industry hard. Over the past few years, practices across the board have faced:

  • Stock shortages: Essential supplies are flying off the shelves, causing dental teams to scramble for replacements.
  • Price hikes: Gone are the days of predictable costs. Price fluctuations have left many dentists surprised and frustrated.
  • Extended wait times: Who knew waiting for that crown prep would take weeks, not days?

In a 2021 survey, a whopping 94% of dentists responded that they had been affected by supply chain disruptions, impacting both the availability and affordability of essential materials. While things are slowly improving, the market is not quite back to normal.

But here's the good news: There's a way to navigate these choppy waters. Torch Dental, an all-in-one procurement platform, can be your one-stop shop for dental supplies and equipment. Torch Dental acts as a partner against the challenges of supply chain disturbances, helping you find the supplies and equipment you need even during stockouts, save money through price discovery, and safeguard your practice against setbacks.

Don't let supply chain disruptions interrupt your patient care. Here’s how Torch Dental empowers you to take control and keep your practice running smoothly, even in the face of supply chain disruptions:

1. Alternative Sourcing Options

In this uncertain environment, having access to reliable and diverse sources for dental supplies becomes crucial.

Torch Dental offers resilience against supply chain disruptions by providing access to a curated network of pre-vetted, authorized vendors and suppliers. This select network goes beyond your usual suppliers, meaning you get a broader spectrum of sourcing options for the critical supplies and equipment your practice relies on.

Here's how this network safeguards your practice against supply chain issues:

  • Mitigating Stockout Risks: Even the most reliable suppliers can experience occasional stockouts. However, with Torch Dental's network, you're not left scrambling for alternative sources. You can easily identify and access vendors with available stock, ensuring a consistent supply of essential materials for uninterrupted patient care.
  • Gaining Stronger Vendor Relationships: By leveraging Torch, you gain established relationships with multiple reliable vendors, diversify your supply chain and reduce dependence on any single supplier. This fosters stronger vendor relationships, better customer service and ultimately smoother practice operations as a result.
  • Price Transparency and Choice: Torch’s network also introduces price transparency into the equation, which allows you to see various suppliers’ options and pricing, giving your practice the ability to select what best fits your needs and budget.

With Torch Dental, you can find a balance between competitive pricing and other factors like quality, customer service, and reliable shipping. This allows you to optimize your budget while also streamlining your practice’s supply ordering.

With Torch, you can maintain a consistent flow of essential supplies, optimize your budget, and deliver exceptional patient care even in the face of unforeseen challenges. Torch Dental reviews, like the following, speak volumes about the value of the platform: “They are quick to respond to any questions you have and will help you find a replacement for any item that may be out of stock.” Life throws curveballs, but with Torch, you'll be prepared.

“They are quick to respond to any questions you have and will help you find a replacement for any item that may be out of stock.” Life throws curveballs, but with Torch, you'll be prepared.
2. Real-time Inventory Visibility

Ditch the guesswork! Real-time inventory visibility offers a direct line of sight into your dental supplies at the source – with suppliers. This means you'll receive automatic alerts when specific supplies are running low, no matter who you purchase them from.

Real-time inventory visibility helps with:

  • Proactive restocking: Receive automated alerts when key supplies dip below a certain threshold, preventing last-minute shortages.
  • Data-driven decisions: Make informed purchasing decisions based on real-time supplier data, not guesswork.
  • Improved efficiency: Free up time spent on manual inventory checks and supplier inquiries.

In essence, inventory visibility is more than just finding out when stock levels are low; it's about gaining control and peace of mind. Torch provides the visibility you need to avoid disruptions, minimize costs, and keep your practice running smoothly.

3. Transparent Pricing and Cost Control

Recent reports show that dental practices are facing significant cost increases, with supply expenses rising from 5.5-6% pre-pandemic to a staggering 8-9% of collections. With Torch Dental, practices can fight back against rising costs and make data-driven decisions on dental supplies and equipment, even when market prices fluctuate.

With Torch Dental, practices can fight back against rising costs and make data-driven decisions on dental supplies and equipment, even when market prices fluctuate.

With real-time pricing from various vendors, you can easily find the best deals, even if your usual supplier is out of stock. This transparency allows you to anticipate price changes and adjust your purchasing strategies to stretch your budget further.

By gaining price visibility and adjusting your purchasing schedule based on real-time data, you can identify cost-saving opportunities and minimize the impact of fluctuating prices on your practice's bottom line. This translates to increased profitability, allowing you to reinvest in your practice even during periods of market uncertainty.

Supply price transparency allows you to confidently make informed purchasing decisions without worrying about hidden fees or unfair pricing practices.

4. Seamless Supply Management

Managing supplies & equipment can be a delicate dance. Torch Dental helps you find the perfect balance, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

Here’s how Torch helps you maintain a steady flow of practice essentials:

  • Increased Sourcing Options: Torch Dental connects you to a network of trusted vendors, offering a wider range of options for essential supplies and equipment. This expands your sourcing capabilities beyond your usual suppliers, increasing the chances of finding necessary items even when they are back ordered elsewhere.
  • Simultaneous Ordering for Faster Fulfillment: Don't wait for one supplier to restock. With Torch Dental, you can place orders for the same item from multiple vendors simultaneously. Having multiple sources means a higher chance of finding what you need fast, minimizing delays and ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
  • Improved Inventory Management:Having multiple vendors gives you more control over your inventory. You can order smaller quantities from various suppliers, reducing the risk of overstocking and keeping your supplies fresher. This translates to less wasted money and a more efficient practice.

Torch Dental reviews, like the following, showcase how Torch acts as your safety net during supply chain disruptions: “The benefits I like the most are being able to find a back ordered item from another vendor easily and having all my invoices in one convenient location.”

“The benefits I like the most are being able to find a back ordered item from another vendor easily and having all my invoices in one convenient location.”

By offering access to a variety of suppliers, allowing you to order from multiple vendors at once, and simplifying your supply management, Torch Dental gives you the tools to overcome backorders and shortages. You can keep your practice running smoothly even in a volatile market.

The global supply chain disruptions haven't gone anywhere, and the dental industry is still feeling the pinch. Stock shortages, price hikes, and extended wait times can throw your practice into chaos. But there's hope!

Torch Dental is a strategic solution that empowers you to navigate the complexities of the dental supply chain with confidence and agility. The all-in-one procurement platform empowers you to:

  • Navigate disruptions: With an authorized network of vendors, you'll always have access to the essential supplies you need, even if your usual supplier is out of stock.
  • Optimize your budget: Real-time price visibility to help you find the best deals and stretch your budget further.
  • Maintain peace of mind: Gain complete control with real-time inventory visibility and transparent pricing. No more scrambling or surprises.