Henry Schein: We're Here to Help
Q&A with Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Henry Schein, Inc.
Q: What changes can we expect to see in the distribution channels as dental offices reopen?
A: Expect to see increased diversification in supply chains and, over time, more manufacturing in the United States of personal protective equipment (PPE). This means PPE will be more expensive, but we need to find ways to encourage this process to reduce the risk that comes with the majority of essential supplies being sourced from a single region. Healthcare professionals will have to commit to buying American products.
Q: Why is it important that dentists continue to use the services of a trusted source for distribution even if they are contacted about other supply opportunities that may claim to be cheaper or faster?
A: You said it: Trust. As a full-service provider, dentists can trust Henry Schein to be the best partner to help their practices thrive. Anybody can sell a product, but dental practices need support in many other areas, such as maintaining their financial health, patient communication, and equipment maintenance. Dentists can rely on Henry Schein for the business, clinical, technology, and supply chain solutions that are vital to their success.
Q: How will the COVID-19 pandemic change dentistry both in the short and long terms?
A: Right now, we’re seeing dentists take advantage of our digital education opportunities and we expect this trend to gain in popularity. There’s also been an increase in remote patient care—teledentistry—and we’ll continue to see advancements in this clinical approach in the years ahead. In the short term, we expect dentists to increase digital communication with their patients and implement important safety measures as they triage emergencies and then reopen their practices as society moves forward.
Q: What message would you like to share with dentists during this unprecedented time?
A: We’re here to help. Henry Schein is committed to doing all we can to ensure that our customers emerge in a strong position from this tragic situation. Our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center and our Coronavirus Education Center provide dentists with practical information they can rely on to help manage their practices through the pandemic.
