China and Vietnam are two major players in the Asian dental outsourcing market. While China has traditionally held advantages in transportation, pricing, and product variety, the Covid-19 pandemic exposed significant risks for dental labs relying solely on one market. Sudden lockdowns in China caused widespread disruptions, with goods stuck in transit and business operations grinding to a halt. This led many local labs to seek alternatives, turning to Vietnam as a new dental outsourcing partner.
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Key Impacts of Covid-19
Stalled Goods and Business Disruption
Labs dependent on China faced passive situations when production stopped, with no immediate alternatives available. This led to significant delays and operational stagnation.
Difficulty in Finding Replacement Partners
Switching partners in the dental manufacturing industry is not straightforward. Labs must consider cost, quality, and differing production standards, which require time to align.
Quality Challenges
Under pressure to fulfill orders, some labs rushed goods to new partners, often resulting in compromised quality due to unfamiliarity with new standards and processes.
Delays and Tightened Logistics
Covid-19 restrictions tightened customs and logistics, causing frequent delays and missed deadlines.
Erosion of Business Trust
International outsourcing inherently involves risk. During the pandemic, payment defaults and disputes became more common, eroding trust in cross-border partnerships.
Five Key Issues for Dental Outsourcing in Vietnam
Adapting to a New Partner
While manufacturing may be similar, communication, pricing, delivery times, and specifications often differ between China and Vietnam. For example, shipping between the USA and Vietnam typically takes 3–4 days, but impression-based cases may take over 10 days. Labs should clarify payment policies and manufacturing specs upfront and be mindful of time zone differences.
Providing Complete Information
New partners need clear, detailed instructions and product samples to match quality standards. Each lab has unique aesthetic and technical requirements, so open communication is essential.
Agreeing on Payment Terms
Each lab may have different payment policies. Labs should confirm payment terms before shipping, as post-delivery payments pose significant risks, especially with new customers.
Testing Before Bulk Orders
Pilot or test cases are crucial before placing large orders. This helps both parties align on quality and specifications, reducing risks associated with mass outsourcing to unfamiliar labs.
Avoiding Over-Reliance on One Market
The pandemic highlighted the importance of diversification. Labs that prepared by working with both China and Vietnam maintained smoother operations and outperformed competitors during disruptions.
Opportunities and Challenges for Vietnamese Dental Labs
The Covid-19 crisis presented both challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese dental labs. While they faced pressure to scale up quickly and meet new quality and delivery demands, it also allowed them to attract new international clients and improve production standards.
XDENT LAB is a leading specialist in dental outsourcing for the global market, backed by Nha Viet dental group—Vietnam's largest dental material distributor since 2006. With extensive experience and a commitment to quality, Xdent offers reliable, competitively priced dental solutions for labs seeking alternatives to China.
At XDENT LAB - Vietnam Dental Lab Outsourcing, specialize in Full Arch & Denture Outsourcing for the US market, meeting DSO standards - approved FDA & ISO. Our state-of-the-art technology, certified technicians, and commitment to compliance make us the trusted choice for dental practices looking to ensure quality and consistency in their products.
Our commitments are:
100% FDA-Approved Materials
Large-Scale Manufacturing, high volume, remake rate < 1%
2~3 days in lab (*digital file)
Your cost savings 30%
Uninterrupted Manufacturing 365 days a year
Contact us today to establish a strategy to reduce operating costs.
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Vietnam Dental Laboratory - XDENT LAB
🏢 Factory 1: 95/6 Tran Van Kieu Street, Ward 10, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
🏢 Factory 2: Kizuna 3 Industrial Park, Long An Province, Vietnam
☎ Hotline: 0919 796 718 📰 Get detailed pricing
