--- title: Choose the right people for inventory management description: Choose the right people for inventory management. Your team works best when each member’s individual skills have a chance to shine in service to the practice. image: https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/Inventory%20Management.png --- -   - [Sign In](https://www.tdsc.com/signin) | [Create Account](https://www.tdsc.com/createaccount) - [START VIP TRIAL](https://dentalsupplies.tdsc.com/vip-trial) [Cart 0](https://www.tdsc.com/cart) [![TDSC_Logo](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_Logo.png)](https://www.tdsc.com/) - [Dental Supplies](https://www.tdsc.com/c/) - [Adhesive Materials & Accessories](https://www.tdsc.com/c/1) - [Alloys](https://www.tdsc.com/c/61) - [Burs](https://www.tdsc.com/c/2) - [CAD/CAM](https://www.tdsc.com/c/1037) - [Cosmetic Dentistry Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/3) - [Crown & Bridge Materials](https://www.tdsc.com/c/4) - [Diagnostic Testing](https://www.tdsc.com/c/1067) - [Digital Technology](https://www.tdsc.com/c/1069) - [Dispensing & Mixing Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/127) - [Disposable Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/6) - [Endodontics](https://www.tdsc.com/c/7) - [Equipment](https://www.tdsc.com/c/131) - [Finishing & Polishing Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/553) - [Handpieces](https://www.tdsc.com/c/9) - [Impression Materials & Accessories](https://www.tdsc.com/c/10) - [Infection Control](https://www.tdsc.com/c/11) - [Instruments](https://www.tdsc.com/c/12) - [Isolation & Evacuation Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/21) - [Laboratory Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/13) - [Orthodontic Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/15) - [Patient Giveaways](https://www.tdsc.com/c/16) - [Pharmaceutical Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/17) - [Preventives](https://www.tdsc.com/c/18) - [Retraction Materials](http://www.tdsc.com/c/33) - [Safety & OSHA Compliance Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/58) - [Surgical Products](https://www.tdsc.com/c/20) - [Waste Solutions](https://www.tdsc.com/c/683) - [X-ray Materials & Accessories](https://www.tdsc.com/c/23) - [View All](https://www.tdsc.com/c/0) - [Office Supplies](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-0) - [Bags & Backpacks](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-1) - [Breakroom Equipment & Supplies](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-7) - [Calendars & Planners](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-56) - [Desk Accessories](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-62) - [File Storage & Binders](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-73) - [Forms & Recordkeeping](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-92) - [Games, Toys & School Supplies](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-112) - [Janitorial & Facility Maintenance](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-133) - [Labels & Label Makers](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-179) - [Office Decor](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-197) - [Office Electronics](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-227) - [Office Furniture](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-343) - [Packing & Shipping](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-393) - [Paper](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-404) - [Security](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-452) - [Staplers, Punches & Office Tools](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-465) - [Tapes & Fasteners](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-482) - [Writing & Correction Supplies](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-491) - [View All](https://www.tdsc.com/c/A-0) - [Manufacturers](https://www.tdsc.com/manufacturers) - [ACCLEAN by Henry Schein](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/ACCLEAN%20by%20Henry%20Schein) - [Brasseler USA](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Brasseler%20USA) - [Colgate](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Colgate) - [Coltene/Whaledent](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Coltene%7CWhaledent) - [Cranberry](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Cranberry) - [Crosstex International](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Crosstex%20International) - [DenMat Holdings](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/DenMat%20Holdings) - [Dentsply Sirona](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Dentsply%20Sirona) - [DMG America](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/DMG%20America) - [EdgeEndo](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/EdgeEndo) - [GC America](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/GC%20America) - [Henry Schein](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Henry%20Schein%20Inc.) - [Hu-Friedy](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Hu-Friedy) - [Ivoclar Vivadent](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Ivoclar%20Vivadent) - [Kerr Corp](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Kerr%20Corp) - [KULZER](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/KULZER) - [Kuraray America](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Kuraray%20America) - [Metrex/TotalCare](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Metrex%7CTotalCare) - [Pulpdent Corp](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Pulpdent%20Corp) - [Septodont](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Septodont) - [Solventum (Formerly 3M Health Care)](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Solventum%20(Formerly%203M%20Health%20Care)) - [Sultan Healthcare](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Sultan%20Healthcare) - [Sunstar Americas](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/Sunstar%20Americas) - [TIDI Products](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/manufacturer/TIDI%20Products) - [View All](https://www.tdsc.com/manufacturers) - [New Arrivals](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/customSale/newArrivals) - [Price Drops](https://www.tdsc.com/All-Categories/Dental-Supplies/c/0/customSale/sale) [![Read. Learn. Share](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FINAL-Updated%20Blog%20Header.jpg?width=750&height=322&name=FINAL-Updated%20Blog%20Header.jpg "Read. Learn. Share")](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/) # Choose the right people for inventory management Posted by [The Dentists Supply Company](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/author/the-dentists-supply-company) on 10/3/18 9:03 AM ![The Dentists Supply Company](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/LogoTop@3x.png) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Your team works best when each member’s individual skills have a chance to shine in service to the practice. And while clinical skills may be easy to see, different “soft skills” are also needed for successful practice operations. Many practices rely on a single point person for inventory control, and the role tends to default to a dental assistant. However, inventory is not a task but rather a system— one that needs the right point person for some processes and the whole team for others. As with most processes, practice leadership must establish, document and assign specific roles and responsibilities. Here are four inventory management roles and guidance for filling them: 1. **Who places orders on a regular schedule?** Consider having a single point person to avoid gaps and duplications in ordering. Seek a team member who, regardless of their “main role,” exhibits strong time-management, organization and communication skills. He or she must be able to dedicate time each week to place orders with a keen attention to detail. Have a team member who’s a natural problem-solver? That’s the one. 2. **Who compares prices to find the best value?** Ideally, your point person should also be the champion for saving on supplies, taking pride in finding good value. This doesn’t mean finding the cheapest options; instead, it’s finding the supplies you love or quality alternatives at the most competitive price. And, every team member’s input should be welcome when it comes to finding savings or identifying innovative products. 3. **Who tracks supply use and reordering?** Assign accountability appropriate to your team size and structure. You may need to have one role or several that divide and conquer. One way to divide and conquer is to assign roles and responsibilities by category, with three different trusted team members assessing dental supplies, dental equipment and office supplies. Another way is by department, with one person assessing the hygiene department supply levels and another assessing restorative levels. Your point person should then receive requests by a specific day each week, allowing time to aggregate, evaluate and ask questions before placing an order. 4. **Who stocks and organizes a central supply area?** When the bulk of your inventory is in one stockroom, there are several benefits:   Remember that clear role expectations support your success, and be sure to recognize each team member’s contributions along the way. *This article is part 1 of a two-part series. Watch for part 2, “Communicate clear processes for inventory management” later this month.* To learn more about managing your practice’s dental supplies or how TDSC can help, [visit tdsc.com/news](https://www.tdsc.com/news). Contact Marketing queries: **Rubi Rodriguez Director of Marketing** [Rubi.Rodriguez@tdsc.com](mailto:Rubi.Rodriguez@tdsc.com)  Media queries: **Ann Marie Gothard Vice President, Global Corporate Media Relations** [Annmarie.gothard@henryschein.com](mailto:Annmarie.gothard@henryschein.com)    [![TDSC](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_October2018%20Theme/Images/tdsc-footer-logo.svg)](https://www.tdsc.com/#) The Dentists Supply Company Need help? Call us at [(888) 253-1223](tel:8882531223) ### Support - [FAQs](https://dentalsupplies.tdsc.com/faqs) - [Contact Us](https://dentalsupplies.tdsc.com/contact_us) ### About TDSC, Inc. TDSC, Inc., a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc. established with the California Dental Association in October 2020, serves dentists nationwide and members of all 50 state dental associations with a transparent and competitively priced, online-only option for obtaining dental supplies. TDSC, Inc., through TDSC.com, Powered by Henry Schein, offers dentists an expansive product portfolio of leading brands, fast delivery, access to free shipping, and added savings for members of state dental associations. - [About Us](https://dentalsupplies.tdsc.com/about-us) - [Blog](https://www.tdsc.com/news) - [Dental Association Affiliates](https://dentalsupplies.tdsc.com/dental-association-affiliates) - [Expanded Selection Partners](https://www.tdsc.com/partnerships) Follow Us [![Facebook](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_October2018%20Theme/Images/Facebook-off.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/TDSCdentists) [![Twitter](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_October2018%20Theme/Images/Twitter-off.svg)](https://twitter.com/TDSCdentists) [![Linkedin](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_October2018%20Theme/Images/Linkedin-off.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dentists-supply-company-tdsc/) [![Insta Gram](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/TDSC_October2018%20Theme/Images/Instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/tdscdentists/) [![YouTube](https://dentalnews.tdsc.com/hubfs/YouTube-off%20(2)%20(1).png)](https://www.youtube.com/@TDSCDentists) Do Not Sell My Personal Information © 2017 - 2026 The Dentists Supply Company - [Home](https://www.tdsc.com/) - [Website Terms of Use](https://www.tdsc.com/terms_of_use) - [Privacy](https://www.tdsc.com/privacy) - [DSCSA](https://www.tdsc.com/dscsa) **The Dentists Supply Company** 135 Duryea Road Melville, NY 11747 [(888) 253-1223](tel:8882531223) [support@tdsc.com](mailto:support@tdsc.com) Back to top