How Unified Smiles Helps Dental Practices Protect Profitability & Power Growth

Even the most successful dental practices feel the pressure of rising supply costs, shrinking reimbursements, staffing challenges, and constantly shifting supplier landscapes. If you’re already running a strong practice, the next question becomes:

How do you protect profitability—and grow sustainably—without adding more stress to your team?

Below, we break down the most common questions established practices ask about Unified Smiles and how our support helps dentists spend smarter, work more efficiently, and strengthen long-term growth.

Why do established dental practices need help with purchasing and reducing overhead? Aren’t we already efficient?

Yes—and that’s exactly why small inefficiencies often go unnoticed.

Over time:

• Supplier pricing drifts
• Labs increase fees slowly
• Merchant processing eats away at margins
• Supply ordering becomes inconsistent
• Software and service costs rise without warning

Even well-run practices discover thousands of dollars slipping through the cracks simply because they’re too busy taking care of patients to monitor every line item.

That’s where Unified Smiles steps in.

What exactly is Unified Smiles?

Unified Smiles is a dental Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) created specifically for independent private practices—not large corporate groups.

We negotiate:

• Corporate-level pricing
• Manufacturer rebates
• Exclusive partner promotions
• Streamlined vendor partnerships

…so your practice gets the same buying power as a large DSO while maintaining full clinical independence.

How is Unified Smiles different from other GPOs?

It all comes down to people.

Every member is paired with a dedicated Member Specialist—a dental professional with real experience as a hygienist, assistant, office manager, or front-office leader. These specialists aren’t sales reps. They’re advisors who understand the clinical and business challenges you face every day.

They help you:

• Review pricing
• Compare vendors
• Avoid unnecessary expenses
• Make informed decisions quickly
• Add revenue streams

Think of them as the savings expert who always has your back.

How does Unified Smiles help established practices save money?

We typically deliver value in three major areas:

1. Controlling Rising Overhead

We review your supplies, labs, software, payroll services, and credit card processing to identify where costs can be reduced without lowering quality.

2. Smarter Vendor/Partner Alignment

Instead of juggling reps from everywhere, you gain access to 120+ vetted vendor partners in every category—from implants and aligners to payroll and equipment.

We help you choose partners that match your workflow, goals, and budget.

3. Strategic Growth Support

If you plan to add services, expand locations, upgrade technology, or bring in an associate, we help ensure your purchasing supports profit—not strain.

What kind of savings do practices actually see?

Most engaged Unified Smiles members can average $30,000+ per year in savings.

These savings often come from:

• Lower monthly supply costs
• Improved lab pricing and turnaround
• Reduced merchant processing fees
• Exclusive rebates and promotions

Doctors frequently reinvest these dollars into:

• Team bonuses
• New technology
• Marketing
• Expansion
• Debt reduction and personal income

Small changes in the background create big financial wins up front.

Will Unified Smiles tell me what to buy or which vendors to use?

Absolutely not.

Unified Smiles was founded on a core belief:
Independent dentists should never lose autonomy to gain savings.

We don’t dictate decisions—we empower them.

Our core values guide our approach:

• Advocacy for private practice owners
• Transparent pricing and recommendations
• Education, not pressure
• Long-term partnership, not quick wins
• Profitability that fuels sustainable growth

You stay in control. We make sure you have the tools and insight to make the best choices.

Is Unified Smiles helpful for practices preparing for growth?

Yes—and this is where we see some of the biggest impact.

A new phase of practice growth, is the perfect time to:

• Reevaluate supplier/vendor contracts
• Optimize ordering systems
• Capture unclaimed rebates
• Get transparent supply comparisons
• Improve cash flow
• Strengthen profitability before adding new costs

Most improvements happen quietly behind the scenes while you and your team stay focused on patient care.

What’s the bottom line?

Strong practices don’t become exceptional through production alone. They grow through:

• Better systems
• Smarter spending
• Trusted partnerships
• Consistent, intentional decisions

Unified Smiles helps established dental practices spend smarter, scale cleaner, and keep more of what they earn.

Because in today’s environment, the practices that win aren’t just the busiest—they’re the ones managing their dollars with clarity and confidence.