Dental sales jobs are tasked with showcasing, promoting and selling dental equipment. Unlike medical sales representative jobs where competition for clients within the same geographic location is often intense, dental sales representatives usually enjoy sole jurisdiction over their sales territory. This translates into a larger commission and a more reliable income stream thanks to an almost assured customer base. In addition, dental health will always be an issue that affects a good proportion of any population - in fact hardly anyone will live their life without having visited the dentist at least once. Therefore, by extension, dental equipment sales jobs will always have a ready market.
Dental equipment is a term that covers a wide variety of tools used in dental health practice. It ranges from surgical instruments, dental fittings and furniture for the dentist's work area. It also includes dental supplies such as toothpaste, mouthwash, tooth brushes and dental floss. To be able to maximize their sales, persons in dental equipment sales jobs must persuade their clients on the value derived by a dentists or retailer buying their product as opposed to that of a competitor. With ambitious sales targets to meet, the dental sales representative has to prioritize his or her time in order to make maximum use of selling opportunities.
For one to be eligible for a position as a dental sales representative, most recruiters will favor candidates with a bachelor's degree from any recognized university. The ability to sell is usually given more weight than one's degree major but some recruiters will prefer candidates that have a degree in the sciences. While a background in dental sales would be beneficial it is not always necessary. Selling is the core skill of the job and many dental equipment manufacturers or sellers will hire a person with no dental sales experience but that has experience in medical sales representative, pharmaceutical sales representative or even such different industries as car sales or cell phone sales.
Every sales job requires that the sales person build a relationship with their client. Dental sales jobs are no exception and the dental sales representative has to use different techniques to build a good working relationship with dentists and with dental equipment retailers as well. Like any other sales career, good communication and people skills are essential to the job. Dental sales work involves significant travel to look for new customers and stay in touch with existing ones.
The salary in dental sales jobs though not nearly as high as that of dentists is rewarding in the context of other sales jobs in the healthcare industry. The starting salary is about $50,000 but can go up to $100,000. However, remuneration is usually hinged a lot on sales turnover and thus commissions. The formula used for compensation is either a low base pay but a high commission or a high base pay and low commission. Additional benefits may include a company vehicle as well as reimbursement on travel costs.
Over time, a dental sales representative can move out of engaging in actual sales and proceed into a sales management position.adena.