Benco Dental Reviews, Prices/Costs, Problems, Alternatives and Complaints, and Legit Lawsuits

In the dentistry industry, suppliers serve a critical role in keeping practices running. One of the most established companies in this sector is Benco Dental. Serving all 50 states, Benco Dental has become a go-to company for dental equipment, software, and more. In Benco Dental supplies reviews, customers mention how the company can meet the demands of family dental practices and go above and beyond with their services.

However, the company has faced criticism on various aspects of its operations. Some clients have mentioned issues like a slow installation process and tired representatives.

In this guide, 2740 Consulting examines Benco Dental to determine if it’s a worth-it dental supplier for your dental practice. We will also discuss possible alternatives to consider. Keep reading to learn more.

Benco Complaints

Customers of Benco have complained about poor customer service and management. One complaint was that “after they make the sale they make no effort to help.” Another stated that customer service representatives are clearly “overworked and overwhelmed.”

Benco Dental Costs and Prices for Supplies

Benco offers a wide range of products and solutions, ranging from small dental drill bits to state-of-the-art X-ray machines. As such, the company has a large range of pricing for their supplies. Some products can be as low as $10 per pack while others can cost thousands of dollars. One disadvantage is that the costlier items require membership for price viewing. Practices that want to take a quick glance may find this an inconvenience.

Compared to other suppliers, Benco Dental has competitively priced offerings. We found no complaints about the pricing, but there are some past customers who’ve found cheaper alternatives, especially when ordering in bulk. Thankfully, the Benco Dental site has brochures featuring discounted products every now and then.

Benco Reviews Summary

On the review website Comparably, Benco Dental has earned 3.2 out of 5 stars in terms of overall customer service. While this number isn’t particularly stellar, it’s much higher than average, indicating a happy customer base. One positive review on Facebook mentions the company’s dedication to resolving client issues, with technicians being responsive to the client’s requests.

Even so, the company is huge — among the biggest dental suppliers in the U.S. Not all of its branches or team members will provide satisfactory service. One customer mentioned how some employees of Benco Dental lied and took advantage of the customer. Another talks about the slow installation process that led to major delays in their practice. The same client was also concerned because the sales representative was unresponsive after closing a deal worth $250,000.

Common Reviews for www.Benco.com

Based on the review available online, we found three main issues that clients complained about after working with Benco Dental.

1. Slow Installation Process

A few customers have mentioned issues with installment scheduling. Given how some of Benco Dental’s offerings are advanced dental equipment, proper installation is necessary to ensure functionality and longevity. Any delays could lead to disruptions in the client’s schedule. The installation challenges may stem from a few factors, such as poor inventory management or unresponsive representatives.

2. Unresponsive and Missing Representatives

Some clients have also complained about sales representatives that fail to show up or communicate once a deal’s been closed. This issue can lead to anxiety, especially among practice owners who have committed large sums for the products the representatives have showcased.

3. Overworked and Inexperienced Sales Representatives

While most past employees of Benco Dental have been pleased with the company culture, others have experienced being overworked. There are reports on Indeed about managers providing inadequate training, leading to the workers being ill-equipped to handle the tasks associated with their role. This lack of experience and skills translates to poor customer service, leading to dissatisfied clients.

Benco Dental Lawsuits

From both clients and employees, Benco Dental has faced a few lawsuits. Here are a few examples.

Denial of Overtime Pay

Creed v. Benco Dental Supply Co. was a class action lawsuit filed by Douglass Creed on behalf of other employees who previously worked for Benco Dental. The case included 67 service technicians and other adjacent employees who claimed that they did not receive just compensation for overtime work. Both parties agreed to a $1 million settlement. Each of the service technicians was able to receive $1,600 after legal fees and other deductions.

This lawsuit highlights some of the questionable practices of Benco Dental. Plus, the case reveals the fact that employees are working overtime without getting paid. While this issue doesn’t directly affect customers, it puts into question the company’s ethics.

Then their is this one that also involved Henry Schien and Patterson.

Conspiracy to Not Provide Discounts

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Benco Dental and two other large dental supply companies for preventing dentists from enjoying discounts after joining buy groups. These buy groups allowed independent dental practices to access large discounts thanks to bulk orders. However, the three companies colluded to block these promos, violating antitrust laws.

Furthermore, the FTC charged Benco Dental alone for Section 5 invitation to collude because of how the company tried to invite Burkhart Dental Supply to participate in the same scheme. Benco Dental didn’t appeal the judge’s decision, which found them guilty of violating antitrust laws.

This is a major red flag for any dental practice that wants to find ways to get discounted supplies. There are doubts about Benco Dental’s commitment to supporting independent dental practices and fostering a competitive marketplace.

Benco Dental Alternatives and Competitors

Benco Dental is only one of the many dental suppliers in the U.S. Here are other options you can consider.

Henry Schein

While Benco Dental offers dental supplies for an array of markets, Henry Schein is known for its high-end equipment.

Pros

• Advanced technical supplies and software
• Multinational presence
• Robust rewards program that allows companies to earn points for each purchase

Cons

• Dental equipment is much more expensive compared to Benco Dental, but the company offers plenty of financing options
• Log-in-only pricing works similarly to Benco Dental, leaving non-members unable to check the equipment prices

Darby

Having been around since 1940, Darby is another trusted dental supplier. The company works with many brands to offer a wide range of products to its clients.

Pros

• Large inventory of products from various manufacturers
• Fast shipping
• Stellar customer service, with the representatives adjusting their process based on the client’s needs

Cons

• Similar to the first two companies, Darby has log-in-only pricing for some of its products
• Shipping costs can be very high, especially for express deliveries

Safco Dental Supply

Safco Dental Supply is well known for its straightforward business model. Ordering and reordering is easy, and pricing is transparent.

Pros

• Dentists can order all products online — no need to go through a representative
• Relatively low pricing compared to others like Benco Dental
• Same-day shipping for most products
• Visible pricing on the website

Cons

• Limited brands and products available — not as extensive as Benco Dental

Patterson Dental

Another major dental supplier, Patterson Dental boasts more than 150,000 products and lots of locations. The company offers its own products as well as those made by established brands.

Pros

• Among the companies discussed, Patterson Dental has one of the largest inventories
• Patterson Dental also has a robust Rewards Program
• Available technology solutions such as software programs

Cons

• Like Benco Dental, Patterson Dental has log-in-only pricing
• Website can be cumbersome according to some reviews

Statistics About Dental Suppliers and Dental Equipment

Here are additional statistics about the dental supply market.

Dental Suppliers

• The dental supplies market had an estimated value of $11.2 billion in 2023
• Among the dental suppliers in the U.S., Henry Schein has the largest market share at 28.6%
• North America dominates the dental supply market worldwide, taking up 41.44% of the global market share

Dental Equipment

• Around 20% of dental practices have expressed interest in investing in new software and equipment, highlighting the desire to shift to more technological solutions
• Clear aligners remain one of the most in-demand products in today’s market, valued at $4.66 billion in 2024. As such, equipment associated with this treatment remains in demand as well
• Dental supply imports by weight have increased by 17% in 2024

Contact Us for More Cost-effective Dental Supply Solutions

While Benco Dental is an established dental equipment supplier, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to areas like customer service, pricing availability, and reliability according to reviews found on the web. There’s also the past controversy of manipulating discounts, which raises ethical issues with them Henry Schein and Patterson.

If you want to be less dependent on these large brands and enjoy more customized dental supply solutions, we’re here to help. 2740 Consulting can help your DSO or private practice access cost-effective dental supplies and equipment thanks to our large network and resources.

Book a free consultation with us today and let’s discuss your options.