Strong year for TDSC with more dental supply savings to come in 2019 - Savings will reach association members in 47 states

CDA members racked up $2 million in total savings on dental supplies in 2018 through tdsc.com, the shopping site for CDA’s newest subsidiary, The Dentists Supply Company.

The $2 million savings milestone reached in September demonstrates the tremendous member interest in TDSC and doubled the $1 million savings milestone that members reached in May.

On the heels of that savings milestone came two major announcements.

In November, TDSC announced it will roll out access to its shopping site to tripartite members in nine Western states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Utah. The expansion not only benefits CDA members who already shop the site as more shoppers means more leverage to negotiate pricing, but it also strengthens the value proposition for organized dentistry by allowing members in more states to benefit from 20 percent average savings compared to MSRP on supplies from authorized vendors.

Additionally, TDSC formed a new strategic alliance with Association Gloves & Supplies, an affiliate of the Michigan Dental Association. This alliance brings together two groups that were started with the same mission — to provide members consistent, competitive pricing on dental supplies.

CDA’s colleagues in other states are “eager to save money on dental supplies through a trusted source that has the interests of dentists and patients at heart,” said Walt Weber, DDS, TDSC Board of Directors chair, while Natasha Lee, DDS, CDA president, said she has saved the amount of her CDA membership “many, many times over.”

In addition to significant savings, CDA members who shopped tdsc.com in 2018 benefited from site enhancements made to improve their online experience. The site’s search capabilities were greatly enhanced, allowing for search by manufacturer and supplier part numbers, and higher-quality images along with expanded product details made it easier for shoppers to find the products they need. Site enhancements were prioritized based on input and feedback from early shoppers.

Looking toward 2019, TDSC will focus on continued site enhancements and strategic catalog expansion based on shopper needs and growth, all designed to provide maximum benefit to members.

“Put simply, more shoppers equal more savings — and more opportunity to invest those savings into your practice and patients,” Dr. Weber said. 

TDSC will roll out its shopping site to state dental association members in 47 states in a phased strategy. Building on the Western U.S. expansion announced in November, tdsc.com savings will be extended in spring 2019 to state dental association members in an additional 12 states. In summer 2019, expansion will reach association members in 26 more states.