Why Every Dental Hygienist Should Want Their Dentist to Join a GPO
As a dental hygienist, your day is focused on patient care, clinical excellence, and helping the practice run smoothly. But behind the scenes, decisions about supplies, equipment, and budgets have a big impact on your daily work. That’s why more and more hygienists are advocating for a smart, cost-saving solution their practice can benefit from: joining a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO).
So… What’s a GPO?
A Group Purchasing Organization allows independent dental practices to band together and leverage their combined buying power to get better deals on products, equipment, and services. Instead of buying as one small office, your practice becomes part of a large group—and that translates into big savings and added support.
Why Hygienists Should Care About GPOs
Even if you’re not making the purchasing decisions, a GPO can significantly affect your work, your patients, and your future. Here’s how:
1. Better Access to the Tools You Need
Have you ever been short on fluoride varnish, prophy angles, or scalers? Ever had to make do with aging equipment or worn-out instruments?
With a GPO, practices can purchase high-quality supplies at reduced costs, making it easier for your office to keep everything you need well-stocked and up to date. That means you can do your job better and give your patients the care they deserve—without compromise.
2. Lower Overhead = More Financial Stability
When your practice saves on everyday expenses through a GPO, that frees up the budget for other important things—like competitive pay, raises, bonuses, new technology, or additional team members. Lower overhead also helps ensure the long-term stability and success of the practice you’re part of.
3. Improved Work Environment
With consistent access to quality supplies and less financial stress on the practice, the overall work atmosphere improves. You’re not scrambling to substitute or fix broken equipment, and your dentist and office manager have more time to focus on patient care and team morale, not just the budget.
4. More Opportunities for Learning and Growth
Many GPOs—like Covalent Dental Partners—offer more than discounts. Members can access:
- Industry updates
- Continuing education (CE) opportunities
- A supportive network of dental professionals
That means you can keep advancing your skills and stay connected to a larger community of hygienists, dentists, and dental teams.
5. It’s Free for the Practice
Most GPOs don’t charge dental practices anything to join. Instead, vendors pay a small administrative fee to participate, which keeps membership 100% free for the dentist and staff. There’s no catch, no risk—only upside.
Bottom Line
You may not be the one ordering supplies or signing contracts, but as a hygienist, you’re an essential part of the team—and your voice matters. Encouraging your dentist to join a GPO is one of the simplest, most effective ways to help your practice save money, reduce stress, and create a stronger environment for both team and patients.
A Recommendation Worth Sharing
If your practice hasn’t already, consider joining Covalent Dental Partners—a free GPO built for independent dental offices. It’s a win-win for everyone involved: your dentist, your team, and most importantly, your patients.
Click here to learn more or join for free
When your practice wins, you win. And a GPO makes that happen.