As we approach the end of 2025, most dental labs are summing up their open loops by closing cases, summarizing and delivering their pending orders and preparing for the next year’s kick start before the long year-end holiday break.  

For lab managers and owners, this period is the best time to pause, reflect, and plan. The final quarter isn’t just about finishing the year strong, but it is a great time for setting the foundation for a smoother, more efficient next year, 2026.  

Inventory management is often overlooked and postponed until the last moment, yet it’s the foundation on which all preparation begins. 

Material shortages, overstocking, and last-minute procurement are familiar year-end headaches for labs. The key lies in using data-driven stock optimization and demand forecasting to stay ahead.  

Here’s how you can prepare your lab for 2026 with better control over your materials, budgets and processes.  

1. Review 2025 Material Usage Patterns  

Before making any plans, look back. Analyse the past years’ trends. Observe the data and make a framework of how you are going to plan the materials so that no 11th-hour inventory comes up. 

Make a list of the most used and ordered materials initially, like thermoforming sheets, resin, polishing compounds, or model-making consumables. Identify the ones that ran out unexpectedly. Keep the ones at the end that are hardly used and have expired on the shelves only. 

Ask yourself and the team 

• Did I order too much of one material and too little of another?  

• Did I face delays because of supplier lead times?  

• How am I going to handle the sudden demand spikes due to new client onboarding?  

This retrospective view helps uncover inefficiencies that often get overlooked during the busy months. The idea isn’t just to reorder, but in fact it’s to reorder your lab supplies in a smarter manner.  

For example, labs that track usage across their PETG and PU aligner sheets often find a clear seasonal rhythm, high demand in Q1 and Q4, and subtle mid-year. Recognising this pattern allows for planned procurement and smoother cash flow.  

2. Conduct a Physical Stock Audit  

No matter how digitised your lab is, a physical stock audit remains essential. Inventory software can tell you quantities, but a physical count reveals material conditions, expiry dates, and storage issues that software cannot.  

Check:  

• Are your sheets or resins stored at the correct temperature and humidity?  

• Are some materials nearing expiry or discolouration?  

• Are tools, models, or molds taking up unnecessary space?  

This cleanup process not only corrects your records but also resets your workspace. Clearer shelves mean clearer thinking, and more room for next year’s innovations.  

3. Optimize Stock Levels, understanding needs and usage 

Stock optimization is all about balance. Too much stock locks up capital and increases waste; too little causes workflow interruptions. The right level depends on demand forecasting, supplier lead time and material shelf life.  

Here’s a simple approach:  

Segment your inventory into A-B-C categories.  

• A items high usage, high priority.  

• B items: moderate usage, moderate priority.  

• C items: low usage, occasional demand.  

• For A items, maintain a safety stock that covers 2–3 weeks of usage.  

For B and C items, order closer to need to avoid waste.  

If you notice consistent patterns (for example, your lab uses 100 Taglus PU sheets per month), automate reordering when stock drops below 30%. This ensures continuity without manual tracking.  

4. Strengthen Supplier Relationships  

Inventory management is not just about counting materials but also about partnerships. Building a strong supplier network helps you negotiate better prices, faster deliveries, and priority support during demand spikes.  

As 2026 approaches, reach out to your material suppliers. Discuss:  

• Early-bird pricing for annual bulk purchases  

• Flexible delivery schedules for large orders  

• Updated catalogues for new or improved materials  

At Taglus, many partner labs benefit from scheduled procurement programs that align with their quarterly forecasts ensuring steady supply, cost savings and peace of mind.  

5. Forecasting Demand for 2026  

Demand forecasting isn’t guesswork, it’s about turning your data into direction. Look at your 2025 order volume by month and client type. Did you see higher demand from orthodontic clinics during school vacation months? Did clear aligner cases increase after marketing campaigns?  

Forecasting should consider:  

Seasonal trends (e.g., more aligner starts post-holiday season)  

Market shifts (e.g., rising demand for cosmetic dentistry)  

New business partnerships (e.g., collaborations with new clinics)  

Technology upgrades (e.g., adopting new aligner materials or workflows)  

Once you identify these trends, align your procurement calendar. For instance, if you expect higher Q1 orders, secure essential stock before January to avoid New Year supply bottlenecks.  

Digital tracking tools or even simple Excel sheets can be powerful when updated consistently. Over time, you’ll notice repeating cycles that make forecasting easier and more reliable.  

6. Streamline Your Procurement Process  

Labs often lose efficiency not in production but in procurement. Too many steps, unclear responsibilities, or a lack of vendor follow-up can delay material flow.  

To fix this, consider:  

Creating a central material logbook with reorder levels and supplier contacts.  

Standardizing purchase order templates for faster processing.  

Setting automated reminders for reorder alerts.  

Designating a single procurement manager to oversee communication with vendors.  

An organized procurement process not only saves time but also improves accountability especially during high-demand months.  

7. Budget and Cash Flow Planning  

As you plan your 2026 inventory, balance ambition with affordability. Over-purchasing ties up capital, but running short affects customer trust.  

Review your 2025 expenses and estimate upcoming needs based on your growth plans. Factor in inflation, logistics, and supplier pricing changes. Early budgeting also helps you take advantage of year-end discounts; many suppliers offer attractive rates during the last quarter.  

8. Train Your Team for Smarter Material Handling  

Efficient inventory management isn’t just a system, it’s a culture. Train your technicians and coordinators to log material usage accurately, check storage conditions, and report low stock early.  

Encourage accountability. The more aware your team is, the less you’ll face surprises like sudden shortages or expired stock.  

9. Set Clear Goals for 2026  

As you wrap up the year, don’t just review but reset. Define specific goals:  

• Reduce unused stock by 15%  

• Shorten procurement cycles by 20%  

• Improve forecasting accuracy using data  

• Introduce one new premium material line  

• Small, measurable goals make your yearly strategy actionable.  

Final Thoughts  

Behind every efficient dental lab lies its real superpower: smart, streamlined inventory management. 

Year-end planning isn’t just about closing the ongoing tasks; it is about new planning and smarter execution. With smart forecasting, optimized stock levels, and strong supplier relationships, your lab can enter 2026 organized, resilient, and ready to grow.  

At Taglus, we believe that efficient labs don’t just produce quality results; they plan for them. Whether it’s PETG, PU, or multilayer aligner sheets, early preparation ensures you always have the right material at the right time. Because in the dental lab world, precision doesn’t stop at products,  it starts with planning.