What you need for a dental practice open house

A dental practice open house needs more than snacks and a welcome desk. You will need supplies for registration, guided tours, demonstrations, refreshments and short presentations, while keeping practice rooms clear and professional. Use the guest count to scale food, drinks, cups and name badges, then check equipment at least a few days before visitors arrive. The list below helps you shop for the items that are most often forgotten or left too late.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Registration desk
High tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 80
Buntingqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Information boardsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Pensqty 20

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cable reelsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan spread - 4 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Disinfecting wipesqty 8
Paper towelsqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Standing lampsqty 4

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks the day before and keep a separate supply for speakers, staff and demonstrations.
Prepare one name badge and one working pen for every registered visitor, plus at least 10% extra badges and pens for walk-ins or damaged labels. Print the registration list on the same day you set up the reception desk.
Allow one reusable plate, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. Keep coffee cups separate from cold-drink cups so the buffet does not run short during demonstrations or tours.
Test the laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers and microphone together at least 24 hours before the open house. Pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment rather than assuming the practice rooms have enough accessible sockets.
Order or prepare food only after checking dietary requirements and the final registration list. Put serving platters, tongs, cutting boards and tablecloths out before the buffet is assembled; these small items are easy to miss when shopping is left until the last day.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a dental practice open house?: For a two-hour open house, plan about 4 to 6 small snack portions per guest and 3 to 4 drinks per guest. Add roughly 10% extra for late registrations, staff and visitors who stay longer.
How many name badges should I buy for an open house?: Prepare one badge per registered visitor and order at least 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 badges, along with at least 55 pens at the registration desk.
When should I order supplies for a dental practice open house?: Place supplier orders at least 7 days before the event, especially for catering and printed materials. Buy fresh food and chill drinks 1 day beforehand, after the final registration count is checked.
What equipment should I test before a dental practice open house?: Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers and microphone together at least 24 hours before visitors arrive. Check every extension cord and power strip in the actual rooms where presentations and demonstrations will take place.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.