Medical Products & Services Best Dental Supply Companies of 2023 Patterson Dental is the best overall dental supply company for its large selection of products and services By Renee Knight Renee Knight Twitter Renee is a freelance writer and dental expert who covers industry trends, products, and manufacturers. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 04, 2023 Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS LinkedIn Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York, and a member of the American Dental Association and New York State Dental Association. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Purchasing dental supplies for your practice should be a fast, stress-free process so you and your team can focus on what matters most: providing the best patient care possible. The average supply costs should amount to roughly 5% to 6% of revenue, making it important for your practice to work with a reputable dental supply company to provide the high-quality products and services you need. There are many places to buy dental supplies online, and it can be tempting to go with a company that offers the biggest discounts. Before you do, make sure you know your supplier. The best dental supply companies have a wide selection of products and services. They also offer fast, reliable delivery and discounts on the brands you want to use in your office. Here, we’ve compiled the best dental supply companies so you can get the products you need. Best Dental Supply Companies of 2023 Best Overall: Patterson Dental Best for Large Practices: Henry Schein Best for Discounts: Benco Dental Best for Quick Shipping: Darby Dental Best for Last-Minute Orders: Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply Best for Specialties: Pearson Dental Supply Best for Small Practices: Safco Dental Supply Best Dental Supply Companies of 2023 View All Best Dental Supply Companies of 2023 Our Top Picks Patterson Dental Henry Schein Benco Dental Darby Dental Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply Pearson Dental Supply Safco Dental Supply See More (4) Final Verdict Compare Providers Improve Your Ordering Process FAQs Methodology Best Overall : Patterson Dental Patterson Dental Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: YesExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: Yes Why We Chose It From a large selection of products and services to education and financing, you can find everything you need through Patterson Dental. Pros & Cons Pros Exceptional customer support Exclusive promotions and service discounts available through rewards program Webinars to help with continuing education available Cons Must have an account to see pricing on products and shipping details Overview Patterson Dental offers more than 150,000 items, including products, equipment, and digital solutions, allowing you to stock your entire practice. The company features products from a long list of leading manufacturers such as 3M, Dentsply Sirona, and KaVo Kerr. The company also offers its own product line. You can find anything you need, whether you’re looking for dental materials, disposables, infection prevention, bigger items like equipment and chairs, or advanced technologies such as CAD/CAM and lasers. Need services to help you grow your practice? Patterson has them, too, with options such as office design, practice management support, and handpiece and equipment repair. Continuing education webinars are also available on the website, and you can arrange for financing for big-ticket items as well. Patterson offers a rewards program for loyal customers. You can use its Advantage Dollars toward purchases of products and services. You also have access to savings on technical support, exclusive promotions, and priority scheduling. Patterson ships throughout the U.S. Free shipping is available but not on every order. Best for Large Practices : Henry Schein Henry Schein Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: YesExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: Yes Why We Chose It While any practice can rely on Henry Schein, the company focuses on the needs of large group practices. Pros & Cons Pros Business-related services available Rewards program with additional discounts, including free shipping Offers financing for larger purchases Cons Orders from non-members are subject to shipping charges Members must spend at least $249 to qualify for free shipping Overview Henry Schein distributes medical and dental supplies worldwide, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and equipment. The company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network to serve more than one million customers across the globe and is known for its competitive prices, selection of innovative solutions, and stellar customer service. From supplies, small equipment, and practice management software to larger technologies like 3D imaging solutions and 3D printers, Henry Schein offers you everything you need to keep your dental practice on the leading edge of technology and running efficiently. You’ll find products from the most trusted companies, including Planmeca, GC America, and DenMat. The site is easy to navigate, with features that allow you to request a quote or demo or talk to a representative. Thinking of making a larger technology purchase? You can visit a Henry Schein Dental Center for hands-on product experiences. Henry Schein also offers a variety of services to help practices with the business side of dentistry. Some of these services come directly from Henry Schein-led initiatives, while others are developed through partnerships with reputable dental companies. The supplier offers continuing education webinars that focus on business topics plus clinical areas and equipment. Looking for more? Henry Schein provides in-office repair, office design services, instrument sharpening, and handpiece repair. Financing for larger purchases is also available. Loyalty counts, too. Henry Schein’s rewards program offers benefits that include savings on business services, equipment, and shipping. With an annual membership, shipping is included on merchandise orders that are more than roughly $249. Without a membership, all orders are subject to a handling charge. Best for Discounts : Benco Dental Benco Dental Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: YesExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: Yes Why We Chose It Benco’s rewards program stands out for its exclusive offers and discounts for loyal customers. Pros & Cons Pros Robust rewards program Discounts available on non-dental products On-demand online training Cons It can take a few days for BluChip rewards to show up Members must spend $100 on orders for free shipping Overview Benco Dental is a full-service dental distributor that has five distribution centers across the U.S. for quick delivery. It also has three showrooms so dentists can test-drive products before they make larger purchases. The family-owned company makes it easy to order a variety of supplies and equipment from top companies and even has a quick add button you can access right from the homepage. Additionally, Benco also offers its own product lines. When using Benco, you can take advantage of marketing, support, consulting, and financial services. Looking for more resources? You’ll find webinars, podcasts, white papers, and on-demand training on the website. Benco’s rewards program offers loyal customers a variety of benefits, for an annual fee. Benefits include discounts and rebates on supplies and equipment. You can easily redeem BluChips earned on purchases via the website. You also get full access to "buy/gets," which Benco describes as the industry’s most complete system for maximizing manufacturer coupons and offers. How does it work? Benco guarantees members receive free product offers representing at least 5% of merchandise purchases each quarter. Anything less, and Benco will make up the difference in coupons toward Benco Brand products. And through the 5% Pledge, Benco guarantees you’ll spend 15% less than the national average for dental supplies or it will rebate the difference. Discounts on a variety of non-dental retail products are also available. Members receive free shipping on orders of more than $100 of consumables. Best for Quick Shipping : Darby Dental Darby Dental Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: YesExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: No Why We Chose It Darby offers one- to two-day delivery in most areas of the U.S. Pros & Cons Pros Fast shipping Personalized customer service Cons One- to two-day delivery isn’t available everywhere Orders are subject to shipping fees Overview Distributor Darby Dental Supply stocks more than 50,000 different products for general practitioners and various specialties. The company also provides technology services, a capital equipment division, equipment repair services, and a full line of private-label products. Personalized customer service is a focus, as is reducing supply costs, increasing cash flow, minimizing administrative expenses, and improving inventory management in dental offices. Orders can be delivered in one to two days throughout most of the U.S. Darby has several warehouse distribution centers across the country that rely on automation and shipping technologies that ensure availability, reduce inventory costs, and enable fast delivery. Darby also offers special features for group practices, making it easy to monitor buying activity for multiple clinics. Office managers receive real-time information for approval and processing, allowing group practices to manage purchasing operations without major capital investment in hardware and communications equipment. Products can be shipped throughout the United States. Orders less than about $150 are subject to about a $13 shipping fee and orders of roughly $150 and more are subject to around $9 in shipping fees. Best for Last-Minute Orders : Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: NoExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: Yes Why We Chose It This dental supply company gets products to you quickly, with 98% of orders shipping the same day. Pros & Cons Pros Same-day shipping for quick delivery Personalized customer service and support Cons Minimum order $75 (or pay a fee) Shipping charges for most orders Overview Midwest Dental Equipment & Supply started out providing local dental professionals with various products. The company now has a 36,000-square-foot office/warehouse facility and three showrooms, and delivers to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. The distributor offers a variety of products including personal protective equipment and infection control items as well as technologies like CAD/CAM, cone beam, and X-rays. Brands sold include Midmark, Air Techniques, Hu-Friedy, Ivoclar Vivadent, and Carestream Dental. Services such as office design and consultation, technology support, and repair services are also available. Keep in mind, though, that there's no rewards program. This is the supply company to turn to if you need something fast. Orders are processed quickly, with 98% of them leaving the warehouse the same day. And if an item you need is temporarily out of stock, a Midwest customer service representative will recommend a substitution or other delivery options. Orders less than around $75 will incur a below-minimum order fee. Most orders have a shipping fee of about $10. Best for Specialties : Pearson Dental Supply Pearson Dental Supply Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: NoExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: No Why We Chose It Pearson offers products from top companies that cover a variety of specialty areas, including orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry. Pros & Cons Pros Competitive pricing Personalized customer service Free continuing education and repair services Cons Website navigation could be smoother Shipping charges and fees on orders below the minimum amounts apply Overview Pearson is a family-operated business that’s focused on providing personalized customer service to general dentists as well as specialists. The distributor offers a large inventory of products from well-known brands as well as its own line. And with 10 branches across the United States and 130,000 products in stock, it’s easy to find the supplies you need to keep your practice running smoothly. Free continuing education and repair services are also available. If you’re getting ready to purchase a practice or update your current office, Pearson equipment specialists can help you find the right location, secure financing, and design your space. Trained technicians can install new equipment. Pearson also can service the dental equipment it installs. The dealer’s strength in bulk purchasing allows Pearson to offer low prices. Clearance and discounted items are also available on the website. Orders typically ship in two to three days, but Pearson doesn't offer free shipping as provided by some of its competitors. Shipping costs vary per item sold depending on product weight and travel distance. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. Domestic orders have about a $25 minimum and international orders have roughly a $75 minimum. Best for Small Practices : Safco Dental Supply Safco Dental Supply Get a Quote Key Specs Rewards Program: NoExtra Customer Services: YesFree Shipping: Yes Why We Chose It Safco offers quality products at a low price, with no surprises or need to haggle, making the process easy and efficient for smaller offices. Pros & Cons Pros Customers get the best prices upfront Free same-day shipping available with no extra handling fees or surcharges Cons Shipping charges apply for orders less than $250 Large equipment isn’t offered Overview Safco provides high-quality dental products at a low price. You know you’re getting the price promised by your sales rep, whether you buy one of the industry’s top brands or Safco’s own products. Safco is an authorized distributor for every manufacturer the company represents, and every product warranty receives full support. Brands include Young, Coltene, and Kulzer. And while you can certainly reach out to your rep when you need to, you don’t have to worry about unwanted calls when you’re busy. Safco makes ordering supplies easy and painless whenever you have the time, allowing you to focus on your patients. The distributor offers everything from uniforms to small equipment, so you can find just about anything you need for your practice. Continuing education and other resources are also housed on the website. Also, you can find a variety of promotions available for extra savings. In a hurry? You can get free same-day shipping on orders of more than $250, with no extra handling fees or surcharges. Orders placed by 4:30 p.m. Central Time Monday through Thursday and 3:30 CT on Friday go out that day. Orders less than roughly $250 have about a $15 service fee. Next day air and other shipping services are available for an extra charge. Safco ships to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Final Verdict Being able to easily order dental supplies from a large list of trusted brands is key to keeping your practice running smoothly. Patterson Dental is our best overall choice because of its large selection, financing options, and educational resources. However, if you're looking to supply a smaller practice, Safco Dental Supply is an ideal choice. Meanwhile, Henry Schein is your best bet if you need supplies for a larger practice. Compare the Best Dental Supply Companies Company Rewards Program Offered Extra Customer Services Free Shipping Available Patterson Dental Best Overall Yes Yes Yes Henry Schein Best for Large Practices Yes Yes Yes Benco Dental Best for Discounts Yes Yes Yes Darby Dental Supply Best for Quick Shipping Yes Yes No Midwest Dental Equipment and Supply Best for Last-Minute Orders No Yes Yes Pearson Dental Supply Best for Specialties No Yes No Safco Dental Supply Best for Small Practices No Yes Yes How to Improve Your Dental Supply Ordering Process Selecting the right dental supply company is only half the battle. To make ordering supplies as efficient as possible, it’s necessary to have a system in place to help further streamline the process. First, it’s important to only have one person ordering supplies. If multiple team members are involved, reorders might fall through the cracks because everyone assumes someone else handled it. Tasking one person with ordering supplies will ensure it actually gets done. This team member should know how to look for ways to save money and how much to order at a time. It's also key to develop a system so you know when products are getting low and need to be reordered in order to avoid the frustration and hassle of running out of a product you need. And try not to wait until the last minute to place those orders. If you do, you may end up spending extra money on expedited shipping fees. Finally, stick with one distributor if possible. Joining loyalty programs can help you save money while working with the same sales rep also has its advantages. Sales reps are familiar with what their customers need and will often work with you to help you get the best product pricing. They can also be helpful when you’re making bigger purchases or looking to take advantage of other services the distributor offers. Remember, while you want to save money on supply and equipment purchases, minimize the time spent haggling or searching for deals. Work with your sales rep and know where to look for promotions on your supplier’s website and keep track of when it's time to reorder. These practices will streamline the process so you and your team can spend more time focusing on patient care. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Dental Supply Company? Dental supply companies sell a variety of dental products, including small and large equipment, from well-known brands directly to dental offices. Many suppliers offer their own brands as well as various services including repair, financing, consulting, and office design. What Costs Are Associated With a Dental Supply Company? There are typically shipping charges, though with some company fees are waived for purchases over a certain amount. Joining loyalty programs also may cost you an annual fee, but membership gives you access to additional discounts and other benefits. How Do I Know If a Dental Supply Company Is Legitimate? Reputable companies sell products from trusted dental brands and are well-known in the industry. If you’re not sure about a company, consult with colleagues to see if they have any experience with the company. Be sure you have a staff member trained to manage supply costs and spot any issues. Should I Use a Dental Supply Company for My Office? Using a dental supply company can streamline your ordering process, help you to manage costs, and keep service at your practice at a top tier while offering high-quality goods and procedures. Be sure to evaluate several companies before making a choice and ask for recommendations from experienced colleagues. Who Is the Largest Dental Supply Company? The Henry Schein company serves customers in more than 32 countries, offering more than 120,000 dental products with the ability to special order others. Different practices have different needs but Henry Schein, in business for more than 90 years, claims to be the largest dental supply business in North America. Methodology When reviewing dental supply companies, we included distributors that deliver throughout the United States. We looked at several companies to assess product availability, variety of brands offered, shipping, and opportunity for discounts. Reputation and services offered were other key factors for inclusion on the list. Verywell Health / Design by Amelia Manley Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Dental Association. 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