Starting a business comes with many obligations. From thinking about your finances to finding the right location all the way to hiring the best people, there is a lot to think about. If you’re starting a dentist’s office, you also have to think about equipment. But how does a newbie dentist find all the best gear for their business? Here is a useful guide.
Set a budget for yourself
The first step on your journey to buying new equipment is setting a budget. When you’re a new business, funds are crucial as you need to cover various aspects. With that in mind, you need to know how much money you can set aside for this as you don’t want to run out of funds before you’ve set everything up.
So, sit down and put everything on paper. How much money can you spend on this task? How many pieces do you need? What preferences do you have for your equipment?
Are you taking out a loan to be able to finance all the equipment? Would renting certain pieces make some sense? Keep in mind that there are companies that rent dental equipment and that it might make more sense to rent as then you also have access to the latest models and maintenance.
Lastly, before you buy something, make sure that you really need it and that you will make the most of it. Otherwise, you might experience some buyer’s regret, especially if that money could have been spent in a better way.
Think about your priorities
Once you know how much you can spend, it’s time to think about your priorities. For example, you have to think about how comfortable the equipment makes the patient. Before you purchase a dental chair, sit in it and try it out. If you don’t feel comfortable in it for five minutes, your patients that have to be in it for an hour will certainly not either. Look for better alternatives. In the same manner, all items that you use should be comfortable for you and other employees like assistants and hygienists. Ergonomics should be a top priority when picking equipment.
Something else to think about is the quality of the equipment. While you can save some money by opting for cheaper pieces, it also comes with the risk of them breaking down more often or completely, which might mean having to replace them. On the other hand, an extremely pricey piece does not guarantee the best quality, but it does typically come with a longer warranty. However, no matter which option you decide on, you need to learn more about the handpiece’s care and maintenance, to be able to react on time if you notice an issue.
You also need to think about whether you really need this piece. Is it essential for your everyday operations? There are surely many items that you don’t need at the very beginning, especially if you’re not specializing in a particular field. Keep it more general. Moreover, will it attract more patients or employees to your company? Some state-of-the-art items might attract top talent or patients that require a special service, so think carefully if that might benefit you.
Do plenty of research
Finally, before you make a purchase, it’s also crucial to do plenty of research. This is a big decision, so make sure to take your time.
If you know other dentists, turn to them for their opinions. What do they like? What do they hate? See what they’ve used and how good their experiences were. Ask how easy it was to get it repaired or find a spare part.
It’s also useful to look into online reviews. Read through these on online marketplaces. You will typically be able to see a rating and maybe some comments from other users. See what the highest rating has to say and whether it seems too good. Check the lowest as well to see what else you can expect. You can also learn a lot from how the company replied. Were they grateful for the comment and willing to improve or rude and started deflecting? Depending on the manufacturer, you might even schedule a meeting with them and an equipment specialist.
When looking to equip your new dentist’s office, you need to consider your budget, your needs, and the available information. Take all of these into account before making a decision.
