Streamline multi-location DSO buying with SurgiMac’s smart solutions for consistent dental supplies, cost control, and reliable procurement across every site.
Juggling procurement across multiple dental offices is a massive headache. As a Dental Support Organization (DSO), you're under constant pressure to control costs, ensure product consistency, and keep things running smoothly. The reality of multi-location DSO buying is that even a minor hiccup, like a backorder or inconsistent product quality, can snowball into major operational challenges. This can directly impact the standard of care you provide. The key isn't just buying in bulk; it's about creating a standardized system that guarantees every clinician has the trusted tools they need, every single time.
SurgiMac understands these pain points. That’s why we’ve developed smart, scalable solutions tailored specifically for multi-location DSO buying. With SurgiMac as your supply partner, your procurement system becomes leaner, smarter, and more profitable.
If you've been in the dental field for any length of time, you've likely heard the term DSO. A Dental Service Organization is a business entity that partners with dental practices to manage their non-clinical operations. Think of it as a central support system that handles the administrative heavy lifting—like billing, human resources, marketing, and IT. This structure allows dentists and their clinical teams to offload burdensome office tasks and dedicate their full attention to what they do best: providing excellent patient care. The model is designed to streamline the business side of dentistry, creating efficiencies that can be difficult for a solo practice to achieve on its own.
The core idea behind a DSO is to apply proven business principles to the practice of dentistry, which can lead to greater operational consistency and financial stability. By centralizing administrative functions, DSOs can standardize processes across multiple locations, which often leads to improved efficiency and a more predictable workflow. This support system is particularly appealing for dentists who want to focus purely on their clinical work without the daily stress of managing payroll, navigating insurance claims, or negotiating with vendors. It’s a model that separates the clinical practice of dentistry from the business of running a dental office, allowing each to be managed by dedicated experts.
DSOs provide a comprehensive suite of support services that cover nearly every aspect of practice management. On the financial front, they typically handle accounting, payroll, and complex insurance claim management, which frees up significant time for the office staff. They also manage human resources, taking on tasks like recruiting, hiring, and benefits administration. Another major area of support is marketing and patient acquisition, where a DSO can develop and execute strategies to attract new patients. Furthermore, DSOs often take the lead on procurement, leveraging their network to source high-quality dental supplies and equipment at competitive prices, ensuring that clinical teams have the tools they need without the hassle of inventory management.
Deciding whether to partner with a Dental Service Organization is a significant decision for any practice owner, and it’s one that comes with a distinct set of advantages and potential drawbacks. The DSO model can offer a clear path to operational efficiency and financial growth by taking on the administrative burdens that often consume a dentist's time and energy. For many, this means a better work-life balance and the freedom to focus entirely on clinical excellence. The support in areas like marketing, HR, and billing can be a game-changer, especially for practices looking to scale or for dentists nearing retirement who want a streamlined succession plan.
However, this partnership model isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Affiliating with a DSO often involves trading a degree of autonomy for the benefits of a larger support network. Practice owners must be comfortable aligning with the DSO's established systems, protocols, and culture, which can feel restrictive to those accustomed to making every decision independently. The financial arrangement, typically involving a fee or a share of the practice's revenue, also needs careful consideration. Weighing these pros and cons is a critical step in determining if the DSO model aligns with your personal and professional goals for your practice.
One of the most significant advantages of joining a DSO is the immense purchasing power it provides. DSOs negotiate with suppliers on behalf of their entire network, securing bulk pricing on everything from MacSafe exam gloves to advanced restorative materials. This collective buying power translates into direct cost savings for affiliated practices, improving profit margins on essential supplies. By offloading administrative tasks, dentists and their staff can also reinvest their time into professional development and patient care. This focus on clinical growth, combined with the operational support of a DSO, creates an environment where the quality of care can flourish and the practice can operate more efficiently and profitably.
The most frequently cited concern with the DSO model is the potential loss of clinical and operational autonomy. When you join a DSO, you agree to operate within its established framework, which can include standardized protocols, preferred vendor lists, and specific practice management software. This might mean you have less say in the specific dental instruments or impression materials you use. Additionally, the financial structure requires careful evaluation. DSOs charge for their services, usually as a percentage of the practice's revenue, which impacts your overall take-home earnings. It's a trade-off: you receive comprehensive support, but it comes at a direct cost that reduces your practice's net income.
For growing DSOs, relying on multiple suppliers across different regions often leads to:
· Inconsistent pricing across locations
· Delayed deliveries and product shortages
· Compliance risks from unverified supplies
· Limited visibility into spend data
These challenges make it difficult for DSOs to scale efficiently. That’s where SurgiMac brings value with centralized procurement solutions backed by high-quality, trusted products.
SurgiMac’s national logistics infrastructure supports fast, dependable shipping to all your dental locations—no matter how many.
From Disposable Medical Supplies to Dental Instruments, you can set custom ordering protocols and receive standardized products across your entire network. This reduces training time for staff and improves patient care consistency.
We also offer flexible reordering systems and bulk pricing, ensuring that your practice group gets the best value without overstocking.
Scaling a dental group from a single practice to a multi-location organization requires more than just ambition. It demands a solid foundation built on smart financial strategies, efficient operations, and a dedicated team. Focusing on the core principles that successful DSOs use is essential for achieving sustainable growth and avoiding common pitfalls along the way. By establishing these pillars early, you create a blueprint for expansion that is both profitable and manageable, ensuring that quality of care remains high as your footprint grows.
When you're looking to expand, potential investors are more interested in your profit margins than the number of doors you have open. As industry analysis shows, private investment groups prioritize profit, so making each location reliably profitable should be your top priority. Funding for this growth can come from various sources, including traditional loans, personal capital, or private investment groups. Whichever path you choose, demonstrating consistent profitability is key. A major part of this is controlling operational costs, and standardizing your dental supplies with a single, reliable partner is a powerful way to manage expenses and maintain predictable margins across all your practices.
Sustainable growth is built on repeatable, efficient systems. It's critical to "create clear steps and checklists for everything," especially for the patient experience and clinical workflows. This allows you to proactively identify and fix issues rather than just reacting to them. A streamlined procurement process is a cornerstone of this operational strength. By centralizing your purchasing, you ensure every location uses the same high-quality products, from infection control supplies to restorative materials. This consistency simplifies staff training, standardizes patient care, and gives you clear visibility into your spending. It’s about building a strong foundation with the right people and processes *before* you desperately need them, setting your group up for smoother expansion.
Your clinical team is your greatest asset, and retaining top talent is crucial for long-term success. It's vital to "give them a reason to stay," whether through ownership opportunities or a supportive work environment that invests in their professional growth. While skilled clinicians might command higher salaries, they are a smart investment for your group's future. One often-overlooked factor in clinician satisfaction is the quality of their tools. Providing your team with ergonomic, high-performance instruments demonstrates that you value their comfort and clinical excellence. Equipping them with premium tools, like those in our lightweight Air Series or the glare-reducing Titanium Black Series, can reduce fatigue and enhance precision, contributing to a positive work environment that top dentists won't want to leave.
Multi-location dental practices require products that are reliable, easy to standardize, and consistently available. SurgiMac’s catalog is curated to meet these criteria.
Popular choices among DSOs include:
· Surgical Scissors – High-precision, durable, and available in various tip configurations
· Mouth Mirrors – Ergonomic, anti-fog options for standardized patient diagnostics
· Knives and Scalpels – Sterile and disposable options to simplify inventory management
· Disposable Gloves – Available in multiple sizes to fit every practice need
These product categories are ideal for creating streamlined care protocols across locations.
Maintaining compliance and infection control standards across multiple sites is a top priority—and a major challenge for DSOs. That’s why SurgiMac offers ready-to-ship, regulation-compliant solutions that meet CDC and OSHA guidelines.
One of our most trusted solutions is the PDI Super Sani-Cloth Wipes, known for eliminating 50+ pathogens in under 2 minutes.
Paired with our disposable PPE offerings including Disposable Gloves which DSOs can easily implement consistent infection prevention protocols across locations.
As DSOs expand their clinical offerings to include oral surgery and sedation dentistry, SurgiMac supports these services with hospital-grade IV Therapy supplies.
Our IV product line includes:
· Needleless IV connectors
· Administration sets
· Catheters and accessories
This allows your organization to offer higher-level care without needing multiple suppliers.
At the heart of our solution is our exclusive SurgiMac Brands line—developed specifically for the U.S. dental market. These products are rigorously tested, affordably priced, and always in stock.
When DSOs use SurgiMac Brands across locations, they benefit from:
· Unified product quality
· Cost control at scale
· Long-term supply chain reliability
Selling the practice you’ve built is one of the most significant financial and professional decisions you'll ever make. While partnering with a Dental Support Organization (DSO) can offer substantial benefits, the path is filled with potential missteps that can impact your financial outcome and future satisfaction. Understanding these common errors ahead of time is the best way to protect your legacy and ensure a smooth, successful transition. By preparing carefully, you can secure a deal that truly reflects your practice's value and aligns with your personal and professional goals for the years to come.
One of the quickest ways to undervalue your practice is by negotiating with only one potential buyer. When you don't generate competition, you essentially hand all the negotiating power to the DSO. Many practice owners, lacking objective valuation experience, may accept the first reasonable offer without realizing its true market potential. According to experts in dental practice transitions, failing to create a competitive bidding environment is a primary reason practices are undervalued. By engaging multiple DSOs, you create a dynamic where interested parties must present their best offers, driving up the final price and improving the terms of the deal in your favor.
The highest offer isn't always the best one. A successful DSO partnership goes far beyond the numbers on a contract; it’s about finding an organization whose culture and clinical philosophy match your own. Before signing, it's critical to assess how a DSO will impact your team, your patient care standards, and your own role post-acquisition. Will you retain clinical autonomy? Does the DSO’s vision for growth align with your values? Selecting a partner that doesn't fit your practice’s culture can lead to significant friction, staff turnover, and personal dissatisfaction long after the sale is complete. A harmonious partnership preserves the legacy you built and ensures a fulfilling next chapter in your career.
Navigating the sale of a dental practice involves complex legal, financial, and operational details that fall outside the expertise of most clinicians. Attempting to manage this process alone is a significant risk. Assembling a dedicated advisory team—including a dental-specific attorney, a CPA, and a practice transition consultant—is not an expense but an essential investment. These professionals provide invaluable guidance, from accurately valuing your practice to structuring the deal for optimal tax efficiency and negotiating contract terms that protect your interests. Many sellers underestimate the importance of this team, but their expertise is crucial for avoiding costly errors and securing the best possible outcome.
If your DSO is still juggling multiple suppliers, pricing inconsistencies, and manual order systems, it’s time to streamline. SurgiMac’s DSO-focused approach simplifies multi-location buying with trusted products, centralized procurement, and bulk pricing that works for your bottom line.
Ready to consolidate your supply chain and cut costs without cutting quality?
Talk to a SurgiMac representative today to build your custom DSO procurement strategy.
What's the biggest advantage of consolidating our DSO's purchasing with a single supplier? The most immediate benefit is gaining control over your costs and consistency. When each office buys from different vendors, you're dealing with unpredictable pricing and product quality. Centralizing with a partner like SurgiMac gives you standardized, competitive pricing across your entire organization. This simplifies your budget, ensures every clinician has the same reliable tools, and ultimately creates a more predictable and profitable operational model.
How does standardizing supplies actually help my clinicians day-to-day? Standardization creates a seamless and predictable clinical environment, which is a huge asset for your team. When clinicians can move between locations and find the exact same high-quality instruments and materials, it eliminates guesswork and reduces training time. It ensures that whether they're using our ergonomic Air Series instruments or reliable MacSafe gloves, the standard of care remains consistently high. This allows them to focus entirely on the patient, not on adapting to unfamiliar products.
We already have suppliers for each of our locations. Isn't switching over a huge operational headache? We understand that concern, which is why the transition is designed to be as smooth as possible. Our team works with you to create a custom procurement strategy that fits your DSO's specific needs. We help you set up custom ordering protocols and flexible reordering systems for each location. The goal is to simplify your workflow from day one, not add to it. The long-term benefits of streamlined inventory and consistent supply far outweigh the short-term effort of making the switch.
If we centralize our buying, will our dentists lose the ability to choose the instruments they prefer? Not at all. Centralizing your procurement doesn't mean limiting clinical choice; it means standardizing quality and reliability. SurgiMac offers a wide catalog, including diverse instrument lines like the lightweight Air Series for comfort or the glare-reducing Titanium Black Series for precision surgical work. We work with your DSO to create a curated list of approved, high-quality products that gives your clinicians excellent options while still achieving the consistency and cost-control your organization needs.
Beyond cost savings, what makes SurgiMac a good long-term partner for a growing dental group? While cost savings are important, a true partner supports your growth. SurgiMac provides a reliable and scalable supply chain, ensuring that as you add new locations, your supply system can grow seamlessly with you. We offer a comprehensive catalog that can equip every location for everything from routine check-ups to advanced procedures like IV sedation. This reliability means you can focus on building strong operational systems and retaining top talent, knowing your supply chain is secure.
