Rethinking Supply Management: A Smarter Way to Run Your Practice

In this episode of the Hey Docs! Podcast, Jill Allen sits down with Nick Wangler, co-founder of Details, to unpack a topic most practices do not think about until it becomes a problem: supply management.

What starts as a conversation about ordering brackets and gloves quickly turns into a bigger discussion about efficiency, burnout, and why orthodontic practices can benefit from thinking a little more like startups.

Why “Not Knowing Ortho” Was an Advantage

Nick did not come from the orthodontic world, and that turned out to be his edge. With a background in technology and startups, he saw supply ordering with fresh eyes and immediately noticed what most teams had accepted as just the way it is: fragmented vendors, messy spreadsheets, unclear pricing, and a lot of wasted time.

Working alongside orthodontist Dr. Jeff Biggs, Nick helped build a platform designed to simplify the entire ordering process. One place. One system. Less chaos.

The Hidden Cost of “How We’ve Always Done It”

Jill and Nick dig into the real issue with traditional supply management. It quietly drains time, energy, and focus. When teams are juggling multiple suppliers, tracking orders manually, and hunting down invoices, it pulls attention away from where it belongs: patients and growth.

Details flips that model by giving practices a centralized hub for ordering, tracking, and managing supplies. The result is fewer headaches, less burnout, and a team that can spend their energy on higher-value work.

Smarter Inventory, Fewer Fire Drills

One of the standout innovations Nick shares is Details’ AI-powered monthly ordering system. Instead of reactive, last-minute ordering, practices can forecast what they actually need ahead of time.

That means:

• Fewer emergency shipments

• Lower shipping costs

• Cleaner inventory levels

• Less time spent managing supplies

In other words, smoother operations without adding more work to your plate.

Spotting Red Flags in Supply Spending

Nick also calls out a common trap: chasing deals. While discounts can look appealing, they often lead to inconsistent ordering, mismatched invoices, and higher long-term costs.

Tools like Bill Check help practices compare invoices to actual orders, flag discrepancies, and gain real clarity around where money is going. It is not about spending less at all costs. It is about spending smarter.

Growth Requires Willingness to Evolve

A recurring theme in the conversation is adaptability. Jill and Nick both emphasize that the practices who thrive long-term are the ones willing to reassess outdated systems and embrace better tools.

Modern platforms, AI-driven insights, and centralized workflows are no longer just nice to have. They are becoming essential for practices that want to scale without overwhelming their teams.

Lessons for Startup and Established Doctors Alike

Nick’s entrepreneurial journey offers a reminder that resilience matters. Progress does not come from getting everything right the first time. It comes from being willing to pivot, refine, and improve continuously.

That mindset applies whether you are opening your doors for the first time or optimizing a well-established practice.

The Big Takeaway

This conversation is a reminder that small operational decisions have big ripple effects. Rethinking supply management can unlock time, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable rhythm for your practice.

If you are curious how a more streamlined, transparent approach to ordering could support your goals this year, Details offers a consultative onboarding process designed to meet practices where they are.

To learn more, visit OrthodonticDetails.com and give this episode of Hey Docs! a listen for a fresh perspective on running a smarter, more efficient orthodontic practice.