Online dental consumables supplier

Independent dental practices, denturist clinics, dental labs, dental hygiene clinics and dental schools that want a more personal alternative to the big distributors.

You buy from manufacturers or wholesalers and sell at a mark-up. Repeat orders on a regular schedule and shipping minimums for free delivery help build steady sales.

• Sales and relationship building
• Inventory and order tracking
• Learning product names and uses
• Customer service

• Many dental products are medical devices, so check Health Canada rules on Medical Device Establishment Licences and which products you can legally sell
• Big distributors have large contracts and volume discounts, so margins can be thin and you need a clear niche
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, check cover with a broker
• Shelf life and storage conditions for some materials, and handling returns or recalls
• Collect and remit GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, opening stock, storage space and insurance. Cash can get tied up in stock, especially items with a shelf life.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your niche, customer base and order sizes. Large distributors offer volume discounts, so margins can be thin without a clear focus.

Many dental products are medical devices, so check Health Canada rules on Medical Device Establishment Licences and which products you can legally sell. Also check liability and product insurance, storage and recall handling, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules.