“Navigating Competition In Dental Supplies” with Jay Glazer

In this episode of the Ultimate Dental Podcast, Dr. David Moffet interviews Jay Glazer from Crazy Dental, discussing the evolving landscape of the dental industry. They explore the competition between corporate dental service organizations (DSOs) and small, family-owned practices, the importance of customer service and relationships in dental sales, and the challenges faced by solo practitioners in a rapidly changing market.Jay shares insights from his journey in dental sales, emphasising the need for business acumen among dentists and the impact of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) on the industry. In this conversation, David and Jay discuss the significance of human connection in both personal and professional settings, particularly in the dental industry. They explore how small gestures can make a big difference in building relationships withpatients and colleagues.The discussion also delves into the evolving landscape of dental conferences, highlighting the shift towards specialty-focused events and the challenges faced by traditional large-scale conferences. Additionally, they touch on the impact of travel and time zones on personal and professional life, sharing anecdotes and insights on maintaining connections across distances.What you will learn:[01:20] Introduction to the Dental Industry Landscape[05:40] Jay Glazer's Journey into Dental Sales[08:20] Navigating Competition in Dental Supplies[13:33] The Impact of DSOs on Small Practices[18:29] Evolving Customer Expectations in Dental Supply[21:55] The Cost of Frequent Orders in Dental Practices[22:23] Forecasting Needs in Dental Practices[26:41] The Rise of Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)[30:26] Challenges Faced by Solo Practitioners[34:23] The Importance of Business Acumen in Dentistry[38:02] Building Relationships in the Dental Industry[41:30] The Importance of Human Connection[48:56] Shifts in Dental Conferences[58:05] Traveling and Time ZonesTakeaways The dental industry is polarising between corporates and small practices. Jay Glazer transitioned from the nonprofit sector to dental sales. Crazy Dental has grown significantly in sales over the years. Price, relationships, and customer service are key to success in dental supplies. DSOs are gaining market share, impacting small practices. Customer expectations for shipping and service are evolving rapidly. Frequent small orders can be costly for distributors. Forecasting product needs can help dental practices manage costs. Group purchasing organisations are emerging to support solo practitioners. Business acumen is crucial for dentists to succeed in today's market. Small gestures can significantly impact relationships. Building relationships is essential in any service industry. People appreciate being treated as human beings. The concept of relationship is diminishing in today's society. Specialty conferences are on the rise in the dental field. Large dental conferences are seeing a decline in attendance. Online communication has increased post-COVID. Networking is crucial for professional growth. Traveling can disrupt personal routines and connections. Maintaining relationships requires effort and genuine interest.Sound Bites "Patients just want to be taken care of with TLC." "There's a new movement called GPO." "You’ve got to be smart to be a dentist." "Loyalty is not there in today's society." "You have to keep bringing new people in." "People are always looking for second opinions." "Relationships in business are not going away." "Thank you for treating me like a human being." "It's just about building those relationships." "Just be nice to other people." "The concept of relationship is dying out." "We learned to do Zoom more during COVID." "It's a beauty of the world."