Holiday Downtime? How to Use It to Prepare for a Successful 2026
For many dental practices, December can be a slower month. Patients are busy with family gatherings, travel plans, and last-minute shopping, which often leads to fewer appointments. While this downtime might feel like a lull, it’s actually one of the best opportunities to set your practice up for success in the year ahead. With a little strategic planning, your holiday break can become a springboard for growth in 2026.
Review Your 2025 Performance
Start by taking a close look at your marketing and practice data from the past year. Which campaigns brought in the most new patients? Did your Google Ads deliver a good return on investment? Were your social media posts consistent and engaging? Reviewing metrics now can help you identify what worked and where there’s room for improvement, before you start planning for next year.
Refresh Your Online Presence
The holidays are an ideal time to give your digital presence a quick refresh. Update your website with any new services, staff changes, or recent testimonials. Review your Google Business Profile to ensure your contact information, office hours, and photos are current. If your social media has gone a little quiet, use this time to plan posts for January and create a content calendar for the first quarter.
Plan Your 2026 Marketing Strategy
Take advantage of the slower pace to map out your marketing goals for 2026. Decide which services you want to highlight each quarter, what promotions you’ll run, and how you’ll use different channels, like email, Google Ads, or social media, to reach patients. Setting a clear plan now makes it easier to hit the ground running in January. If you aren’t sure where to start, give us a call!
Invest in Team Training
If your team’s schedule is lighter, use that time for staff development. Consider training sessions on improving patient communication, collecting reviews, or managing digital tools more effectively. These small investments in your team can make a big impact on your practice’s efficiency and patient satisfaction next year.
The Takeaway
Holiday downtime doesn’t have to mean wasted time. By using these slower weeks to evaluate, plan, and prepare, your dental practice can start 2026 with renewed focus and momentum, ready to make it your best year yet.