6–8% of your Revenue is Going to Suppliers— Want Some of it Back?

Hi everyone,   

Most dental practices overpay on supplies—and they don’t even know it. 

When you’re busy running a clinic, tracking supplier pricing or negotiating better terms often gets pushed aside. But over time, those “small” savings add up. And in today’s climate, with material costs rising across the board, not leveraging buying power is one of the biggest missed opportunities we see in practices. 

And I’ve seen this first-hand, not just with clients, but in our own clinics too. 

You Can’t Outwork Poor Margins 

Most dentists assume that if they keep the chairs full, everything else will work itself out. But the reality is, you can’t outpace rising costs with busyness alone. 

If your supply bill has quietly crept up by 15% over the last year and your lab fees are increasing quarter on quarter, it doesn’t matter how packed your schedule is—you’re still bleeding profit. 

Dental supply costs have increased by up to 35% since 2020. That means what cost you £1,000 a few years ago could now be costing £1,350—and most practices haven’t adjusted for it. 

We've seen practices putting in the hours, seeing more patients than ever, but ending the month with less in the bank. That’s a margin problem, not a volume problem. 

You’re Buying Leverage, Not Supplies  

Every supplier will give you a “deal.” But unless you have visibility across the market or the clout of a group behind you, you’re almost always paying more than you need to. 

Over 75% of independent dental practices don’t regularly benchmark their supply costs. That means most owners have no idea if they’re getting fair value—or being quietly overcharged. 

Real power lies in collective leverage.  

When you buy as part of a group, you're not just negotiating as one clinic—you’re buying with the weight of dozens. That changes the conversation. 

It also means better service, faster support, and accountability—because suppliers know we’re monitoring what they offer across the board. 

What This Looks Like in Practice 

This isn’t hypothetical. Practices in our Buying Group have seen £5,000–£15,000 in annual savings, depending on size and volume. 

That’s not just price cuts—it’s reduced admin time, consolidated suppliers, and peace of mind knowing you're not overpaying.  

And it makes a big difference when you realise that dental practices spend 6–8% of their revenue on materials and consumables. Even a 10% reduction on that number is thousands saved—every single year. 

One multi-chair clinic we work with managed to renegotiate lab fees down by 12%, and another cut material costs by switching to vetted group suppliers without compromising quality. 

For us, this has become part of how we run leaner, more efficient clinics—and it’s one of the few ways to improve margins without touching patient fees or staff hours. 

Want In? Here’s How. 

If you’re still ordering at full price, or you’re unsure whether your supplier deals are actually competitive, it’s time to take a closer look. 

📞 Book a quick call with my colleague Uros who manages the Samera Alliance our Dental Buying Group, and he’ll walk you through how the Buying Group works—and more importantly, how much you could be saving. 

Until next time, 
Arun