Whether you’re setting up a new practice or restocking supplies, getting your hands on the right dental instruments is job one for any Australian professional. But where do you even start looking? Use this guide to discover the best sources for procuring precision dental tools and equipment across the country. Let’s get to know how to get dental instruments in Australia for professional use.
What Instruments Do You Actually Need?
Before we talk suppliers, first make a full inventory of all the specific dental instruments your practice will require based on services offered. Having this complete list prevents leaving out any essentials!
Most general dentists need a solid selection of basic operatoryhand instruments like mouth mirrors, explorers, probes, forceps, plastic fillers, carvers and more. Procedures like fillings or extractions require their own specialized tool kits too.
If you offer advanced services like endodontics (root canals), periodontics, oral surgery or orthodontics, you’ll want additional instruments designed specifically for those treatments. Dental hygienists in your office need a separate set of scaling tools as well.
Don’t forget to also consider bigger capital equipment investments for your operatories like patient chairs, dental lights, x-ray machines, autoclaves and compressors. Those are all essential dental equipment workhorses.
Online Suppliers for Easy Ordering
One super convenient option is to explore reputable online dental suppliers that can ship instrument orders straight to your practice’s door. Many Australian companies have robust eCommerce sites stocked with thousands of tools and products.
Shopping online allows you to easily compare pricing, inventory availability, product specs and customer reviews across multiple suppliers with a few clicks. Many sites offer bulk discounts or package deals when buying full instrument kits too.
If going this route, always verify you’re ordering from an established, authorized vendor to avoid subpar knockoff products. Look for suppliers with a strong market reputation and Australian business credentials.
Local Distributors for Personalized Service
For more personal assistance, look into well-known dental equipment distributors with local warehouses or showrooms in your area of Australia. Dealers like Henry Schein, Dentavision and Dental Depot are popular national options.
With local reps and sales specialists at your disposal, you can get hands-on demos of products, speak with knowledgeable professionals about your needs and even request items to be custom assembled. That tailored service factor can be huge for outfitting your entire operatory workflow.
Established distributors also tend to offer additional valueadds like equipment maintenance/repair services, delivery tracking, flexible payment terms and streamlined inventory management for repeat orders.
Buy and Sell From Other Professionals
Don’t forget about exploring online dental equipment marketplaces too! There are tons of online classifieds and community forums where Australian dental professionals buy, sell or trade both new and used instruments.
Message board sites like DentalTown allow you to prowl listings from practices and labs across the country looking to liquidate tools, equipment and retired operatory setups. You can often scoop up major steals on gently used premium brand instruments too.
These peer-to-peer channels empower you to cut out the middleman if finding affordable secondhand supplies is your goal. Just be sure to properly inspect any used tool’s condition and functionality before purchasing.
Authorized Brand Retailers for Consistent Quality
For certain premium dental instrument brands like Hu-Friedy or LM, your best bet is to purchase through an authorized Australian retailer or distributor vetted by the manufacturer. This ensures you receive 100% authentic, guaranteed equipment built to stringent OEM standards.
While you may pay a premium, instruments from top heritage brands tend to offer superior quality materials, precision machining, ergonomic designs and unmatched durability for getting the job done right.
Many name brands have easy online store locators or product finders right on their websites to track down local stockists or order direct. Plus, you’ll have added assurances of warranties and post-purchase service/support.
No matter which avenue you choose, carefully vet all suppliers to ensure you’re investing in genuine, high-caliber dental instruments from sources you can trust. Aim for the right balance of quality, convenience and professional expertise to perfectly equip your Australian practice.