Mommy, where does used dental equipment come from?

You ever wonder where used equipment comes from?  Like the mythology we tell children about babies, there's plenty of fables about the used dental equipment market.  I won't attempt to stammer through the cursory awkward parable involving a stork (when a man... uh... loves a woman, they, uh.... a stork comes through the window at night.  Now finish your meatloaf and go to bed).  However I will provide some illumination into the supply-side of the used dental equipment market. [caption id="attachment_407" align="alignnone" width="490" caption="Surprisingly, a small percentage of folks believe this is where used Adec 6300's come from."][/caption] Basically you have government auctions, bankruptcies, surplus equipment, and direct from other dentists.

1. The government provides plenty of dental equipment for use in military applications or social welfare clinics.  The clinics are more prevalent in certain areas, while non-existent in others.  It really depends on the local funding for such governmental programs.  Typically this equipment enters the market through an auction as required by government liquidation regulations.  You'll find that this equipment often exhibits more wear and tear indicative of being used by non-owner operators.  We do not actively pursue this equipment.
2. You will probably find the highest quality and value in bankruptcy equipment.  Often times the equipment comes from a young office that couldn't establish the revenue stream necessary to get off the ground.  This leaves fairly new, barely used equipment looking for a new home.  The banks are eager to get these assets off their books so they will be more aggressive in pricing.  We get a fair amount of equipment through this source, which often end up as package deals for a full office worth of equipment.
3. Surplus equipment also provides an excellent source for value and quality.  Although this segment is  the smallest due to restricted distribution channels and manufacturer contracts, we still manage to acquire a good amount of this equipment.  Out of date models that never sold, demo models, or even buy-back items can be found if you navigate the right channels.
4. Finally we have the dentist to dentist.  This is our bread and butter.  One dentist looking to sell some equipment needs our help finding a buyer and facilitating the transaction.  Here the equipment condition spans the whole spectrum.  Some used, some new, and some that are only valuable as parts.  The reasons for an office wishing to sell their equipment varies, but typically it comes down to expansion/downsizing, moving offices, new technology, or the doctor just doesn't like the equipment.  Maybe they just bought out an office that has chair mounted units and they want cabinet mounted units.  Or they invested in some new technology like a Biolase, Cerec, or bleaching system but discovered they aren't using that equipment enough to warrant the costs.  Through our comprehensive consignment service we provide an easy resource for finding homes for their unwanted equipment.

So there you go, no stork fable here.  When buying used dental equipment, or used anything really, it's always nice to know where it came from to give you some context.  So keep us in mind when it comes to dental equipment, whether you're looking to buy or sell.