Dentists: Unlock Your Buying Power Today

Unlocking Negotiating Power for Independent Dentists: Joining a Group Purchasing Organization

As an independent dentist, you may find yourself facing numerous challenges when it comes to running your practice efficiently, including managing costs and obtaining competitive prices for supplies. Fortunately, there's a solution that can level the playing field and provide you with more negotiating power: joining a dental buying group or group purchasing organization (GPO). In this blog post, we'll explore how these groups can benefit independent dentists and help them secure better prices for their practice.

What is a Dental Buying Group or Group Purchasing Organization (GPO)?

Before we dive into the advantages, let's start with a brief overview. A dental buying group or GPO is an organization that negotiates discounted prices with suppliers on behalf of its member dentists. These groups leverage the collective purchasing power of their members to secure better deals for supplies, equipment, and services, passing on the savings directly to you.

Benefits for Independent Dentists:

1. Increased Negotiating Power:
By joining a group purchasing organization, you instantly become part of a larger network of dentists. This collective strength gives you more leverage when negotiating prices with suppliers. Instead of operating alone, you now have the backing of a group, allowing you to secure better deals that may not have been possible as an individual practitioner.

2. Cost Savings:
One of the primary advantages of joining a dental buying group or GPO is the potential for significant cost savings. By accessing negotiated discounts, you can reduce your expenses on various supplies, such as dental materials, instruments, office supplies, or even office technology like software and equipment. Reduction of overhead is one of the main reasons most practices join a group.

3. Time Efficiency and Streamlined Ordering:
Some group purchasing organizations provide an online platform that simplifies the ordering process for members. You can conveniently browse through catalogs, compare prices, and place orders directly, saving you valuable time. Additionally, some of these procurement platforms allow practices to track spend against their budget.

4. Access to Expertise and Support:
Most group purchasing organizations offer additional benefits like educational resources,  and access to industry experts. Additionally, some of these organizations offer a dedicated Member Services department that specializes in finding extra savings and addressing any challenges your practice may be experiencing. These support systems can help you stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices, ultimately benefiting your practice and enhancing patient care.

How to Choose the Right Group:

While the benefits of joining a group purchasing organization (GPO) or dental buying group are undeniable, it's crucial to choose the right one for your practice. Consider the following factors when evaluating different groups:

1. Vendor Partner Network: Ensure the group has established relationships with reputable suppliers, offering a wide range of products and services that align with your practice's needs. Seek out a diverse array of vendor partners who provide a wide range of supplies and services.

2. Procurement Option: Seek out a procurement platform that empowers you to compare your current suppliers' pricing with the group's negotiated pricing, giving you the freedom to choose from a wide array of vendors for your orders.

3. Enhanced Support: Seek out group purchasing organizations that go above and beyond by offering a dedicated customer service department. This team of experts is there to assist you in finding not only discounts but also additional revenue streams. With their guidance, you can optimize your purchasing decisions and uncover new opportunities to boost your practice's financial success.

4. Additional Resources: Look for groups that provide value-added services such as educational resources, and access to industry experts to maximize the benefits of your membership.

Joining a dental buying group or group purchasing organization (GPO) can empower independent dentists, enabling them to secure competitive prices for supplies and services. By leveraging the collective strength of a group, dentists can access negotiated discounts, streamline ordering processes, and benefit from additional support and expertise. While joining a dental buying group is not essential, it offers substantial advantages that can positively impact your practice's bottom line and foster growth. So why not explore the possibilities and unlock your negotiating power today?

Why should you choose Unified Smiles as your preferred group purchasing organization? Our team of Member Services Representatives are dental professionals themselves, with experience as dental assistants, dental hygienists, office managers, and front desk staff. They have firsthand knowledge of working in dental offices, which enables them to guide you through our network of partners and help you maximize your savings. With over 100 leading vendor partners, Unified Smiles offers an extensive range of products and services. Additionally, our optional procurement platform empowers you to compare your current supplier prices with our negotiated prices, giving you the flexibility to choose the best options for your practice. Find out if Unified Smiles is the right fit for your independent dental practice by filling out the form in our Contact Us section or scheduling a meeting with us today!