Equipping a dental practice is the second largest financial investment when opening a new office (the first is construction). It’s important to keep in mind that you really do get what you pay for when it comes to dental office equipment, but not every dental office needs the same equipment or the same quality of materials.
As a dental practitioner, you know there is never a one-size-fits-all solution to any oral health concern, and the same is true when it comes to equipping a practice. Before making purchases, your first step should be finding a vendor who is dedicated to helping you make the right choices for your practice, and not one who is only concerned about selling you the most expensive technology, furnishings, and instruments. Once you have a dealer you trust to provide recommendations that benefit your new office, there are a few things you should consider before making an investment.
Four Equipment Considerations
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Range of cost – you get what you pay for, but that doesn’t mean you should choose the most expensive items. For instance a dental chair package may range in cost from $6,000 to $60,000, but the best choice for your practice may be somewhere in the middle of that range. Keep in mind the environment you’re trying to create, patient comfort, and equipment necessity.
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What equipment offers – before investing in an item, consider whether it improves patient experience, opens up a new source of review, or better yet, does both. If a piece of equipment doesn’t do one of these two things, it’s likely not a good investment for your office.
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Shared materials – not every item needs to be placed in every operatory. Scalers, electric hand pieces, and other portable items need not be available in each room. Instead, keep a few sets in a central location to be used in every room.
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Platforms for the future – you don’t have to equip every operatory the day you open the door, and you don’t necessarily need the highest quality technology. Outfit only the rooms you’ll need to function from day one, and equip additional operatories as the need arises. When it comes to investing in technology, find a company that is well established, and will be able to help your practice upgrade with future innovations without buying all new equipment every time a change occurs.
The Surprising Must-Have Item
Your practice can be successful without many of the luxurious bells and whistles you’ll find when equipping the office, but the one item a new practice can’t do without surprises many dentists. The best investment dentists can make is a high-quality intraoral camera. This is a great way to improve patient experience because they have a better understanding of their oral health concerns and really become an invested participant in treatment planning. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth 1,000 dollars, or was that words? In either case, patients are more likely to accept treatment recommendations if they have a dentist-eye-view of the problem.
Contact Xite Realty Today
Xite is your partner in dental practice construction, and we’re happy to help you find the right vendor to outfit your new office. Contact us to find out more today.