Get your dental practice holiday ready with our 12-step checklist

Grow Community
12 December 2024
10 minute read

As the festive lights go up, it’s time for dental practices to think about winding down the year and gearing up for the New Year. This time of year isn’t just for festivities, but also a perfect moment to make sure everything at your dental practice is set to welcome the New Year with a smile.

Here’s a practical checklist to help you tick off 12 essentials to keep your practice running smoothly, so you can enjoy the holiday season hitch free.

1. Update your practice trading hours
   Make sure your patients know when you are open! Update your practice's hours on your website, Google Business, and social media. Maybe pop a festive notice in your reception and drop a quick reminder to your patients through text or email.

2. Schedule January’s appointments
   Get those January slots filled now. It keeps your practice busy right from the start, and helps your patients keep their dental health on track among their New Year’s resolutions.

3. Have emergency contacts in place
   The holidays might be quieter, but a dental emergency waits for no one. Have an emergency contact strategy ready, whether it's an on-call service or a local clinic partnership.

4. Restock and be ready
   Do a quick inventory check and order any supplies you’ll need to avoid running short during the busy holiday season or when suppliers take a break.

5. Back up your data
   Give yourself peace of mind by backing up all your important practice data. From patient records to financials, make sure it’s all safe and sound.

6. Holiday wishes and reminders
   Set up some holiday greetings and New Year wishes for your patients. This is also a great opportunity to send out a year-end newsletter or email to your patients, recapping the year with any exciting updates, confirm your holiday trading hours, emergency contact details and what’s coming next to your practice in the new year.

7. Confirm staff availability
   Have a quick catch-up with your team to make sure everyone’s holiday plans are covered, and you’ve got enough hands-on deck for the festive period.

8. Financial health check
   Take a moment for a quick financial health check of your practice and start planning for the tax season now to skip the January rush.

9. Marketing activities
   As the new year approaches, make sure your dental practice's marketing is set to engage and attract. Start by scheduling a series of festive and New Year-themed social media posts to maintain visibility and remind patients about the importance of maintaining their dental health.

10. Insurance up to date
    Don’t leave anything to chance during the holiday season. Ensure all your insurance paperwork is in order and your coverage is up to date to protect your practice against the unexpected.

11. Save electricity
    Turn off non-essential utilities and power to cut costs. Did you know that switching off your computer stations and lighting not only conserves energy but could also reduce your next bill? Consider implementing these energy-saving measures and you might enjoy some savings.

12. Celebrate your team
    Lastly, show some love for your fantastic team who’ve kept things running smoothly all year. Celebrate the year’s successes together, this is a great way to boost morale for the year ahead.

Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be a chore. With this checklist, you’ll ensure your practice is all set, and you can head into the celebrations with peace of mind. Here’s to closing the year on a high note and welcoming the new one with enthusiasm and ready to grow!

Looking to make your dental practice thrive, even during the busiest times?

Join the Grow Community today and tap into a wealth of resources and tools specifically crafted to help your practice thrive through the holidays and beyond. Gain access to exclusive member benefits, expert insights, and tailored solutions that keep you one step ahead. Contact us today at info@growcommunity.com.au for more information or click here to join the community focused on accelerating growth.

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