Get more new patients by understanding the Seasonality in Dental Marketing.
Seasonality Matters in Dental Marketing
Dental professionals, did you know that when you market your practice is just as important as how you market it? Understanding the natural ups and downs in patient flow can help you attract more patients, even during slower months.
As noted by Dental Economics, “December, January, and February are the biggest crown and bridge months for most practices.” This insight will help your marketing team target crowns differently around this time of year, capturing significantly more revenue. There are many similar opportunities throughout the year that, if maximized, can generate much better ROI. Source.
Understanding the Dental Calendar
Patient traffic isn’t the same all year. Some months are busier than others, and knowing when these times are can help you prepare and market more effectively.
- Best Months: August, October, November, and April see the most patient traffic. August is particularly busy due to the back-to-school rush.
- Worst Months: May, June, and September tend to be slower.
Pro Tip: During high patient-flow months, consider adding extra hygiene appointments to meet demand.
Why Some Months Are Better for Marketing
December and January are special months for dental practices because of dental insurance. Patients often rush to use up their benefits by the end of December, and new benefits become available in January. This is when they are more likely to invest in bigger treatments like crowns and bridges.
By contrast, the summer months (May, June) are slower for most practices. But instead of cutting back on marketing, you should adjust your strategy. Hold off on sending mailers during slow months and plan to send them out during busier months like August and October. This way, your efforts align with when patients are most likely to respond.
Case Study: A Start-up Success Story
To see how timing and strategy work hand-in-hand, look at how The Smile Company used seasonality to their advantage. By focusing their marketing efforts during high-traffic months, this start-up was able to attract 400 new patients quickly. Their success shows the power of smart marketing at the right time.
Read more about The Smile Company’s success
How to Plan Your Marketing Year
To make the most of the year, it’s important to create a marketing calendar that works with the seasons.
- Map Out Your Year: Identify your busy and slow months.
- Target Key Months: Focus your biggest campaigns during high-traffic months.
- Adjust for Slow Periods: Don’t stop marketing during slow times. Instead, tweak your strategy to keep a steady flow of patients.
At DentalMarketing.com, we help you create a yearly marketing plan that uses seasonality to your advantage. We don’t fight against the seasons; we work with them.
Conclusion: Don’t Miss Out on Patient Opportunities
Understanding the seasonality in dental marketing can make a huge difference in your practice's success. By planning your marketing around the natural ebb and flow of patient visits, you can maximize your reach and attract more patients year-round.
Ready to see where your practice stands? Schedule a call with our team at DentalMarketing.com and get a FREE Marketing Analysis. All we need is your practice address and website URL, and our AI will deliver a comprehensive marketing analysis in minutes.
