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Understanding the Cost Pressure in Dentistry

Jan 20, 2026
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If you are a private practice owner right now, it probably feels like every expense is rising at the same time. Supplies, labs, equipment, subscriptions, and staffing. Even when production is solid, profit can still feel like it is shrinking for reasons outside your control.

That is why I sat down with Jeff Salucci from MB2 Dental. This episode is about the lever you can actually pull: getting smarter on procurement. Many private practices are paying solo-practice pricing and accepting vendor increases as normal.

Jeff breaks down what is changing on the supply and lab side, why pricing has gotten more volatile, and how private practices can access group-level pricing and vetted vendors without giving up ownership.

My biggest takeaways:

  • A lot of practices are sitting around 7 to 8 percent supply spend, and 5 percent or lower is realistic with better pricing and ordering discipline.

  • The win is not just cheaper products. It is reducing waste, consolidating vendors, cutting shipping and impulse orders, and using proven alternatives that perform the same.

  • If you want leverage without joining a group, tools like Carabelli Club can give private owners access to discounts, purchasing systems, and education that most practices cannot get on their own.

If rising costs are squeezing your margin, do not wait for things to settle down. Listen to this episode and take notes. You will walk away with specific moves you can make this month.

P.S. If this episode resonated and you want support beyond the podcast, we have a free community for practice owners who want to lead better and make smarter decisions.

Inside the Hero Collective, you will find other owners, ongoing conversations, and free trainings to help you apply what you are learning each week.
β†’ Join the Hero Collective

 

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