Every industry has its slow season. Retailers gear up for the holidays, accountants grind through April, and for dentists, September can feel like a head-scratcher.
Once school starts, family routines shift, and suddenly your schedule doesn’t look as full as it did in June or July. Most dentists just accept it as “the September slump.” But here’s the thing: you don’t have to. With the right approach, September can actually be one of your best months.
Why September Feels Different
If you’ve noticed the same pattern year after year, it’s not a coincidence. It’s a trend. And trends can be managed. Instead of watching the schedule dip, practices that prepare ahead of time often see September turn into a growth month.
How to Flip September in Your Favor
Here are a few ways you and your team can keep chairs full and production steady:
- Start Benefits Campaigns Early
Don’t wait until December to remind patients about unused benefits. A quick outreach in late August or September helps smooth out the holiday rush and fills your schedule now.
- Give Uninsured Patients a Nudge
Run a short-term promotion for patients without insurance. It’s often the push they need to move forward on treatment they’ve been putting off.
- Pick a “Big Case Day”
Choose one procedure like crowns, implants, or clear aligners, and dedicate a day (or two) to it. Look through your records for patients who’ve been recommended treatment but never scheduled. These focused days can easily become some of your highest producing.
- Step Up Outreach
Make it a goal to double your scheduling efforts. Track how many calls, texts, or emails your team is sending. When you measure it, activity goes up and so do filled appointments.
- Reconnect With Current Patients
Hygiene visits are more than cleanings. They’re a chance to revisit past treatment plans or talk with long-time patients about goals like smile improvements.
- Use Morning Huddles to Spot Same-Day Opportunities
Instead of just reviewing the day’s schedule, ask: “Who might say yes to same-day treatment?” New patients, hygiene checks, and emergencies are often opportunities waiting to be planned for.
- Tap Into Seasonal Themes
September has plenty to work with like back-to-school, Grandparents Day, Women’s Health and Fitness Day, and Family Health and Fitness Day. Use them as excuses to connect and engage.
- Run a Whitening Promo
Whitening works anytime, but September is a great time to package it with a theme. Think “Fresh Fall Smiles” or even a playful “Christmas in September” campaign. Pair it with a charity angle and you’ve got a winner.
Don’t Forget the Money Side
Production matters, but so does protecting your bottom line. September is a good checkpoint to review insurance contracts, renegotiate reimbursements, and make sure you’re not leaving money behind. Even small tweaks can make a real difference without adding to your workload.
The Bottom Line
September doesn’t have to be dentistry’s toughest month. With a little planning and some creative energy, it can become a time of growth instead of decline. The practices that get proactive now will be the ones that thrive.