Article: 5 Surprising Effects of ‘Use It or Lose It’ End-of-Year Campaigns for Dental Practices

As the calendar edges closer to year-end, many dental practices launch “use it or lose it” campaigns. These campaigns encourage patients to maximize their dental insurance benefits or health savings account (HSA) funds before they expire. While the immediate benefit is clear—an influx of appointments—the broader impact often goes unnoticed. Here are five surprising effects these campaigns can have on your dental practice.

1. A Surge in Patient Retention

Patients who come in for end-of-year treatments often book follow-ups or additional appointments for the new year. Once they’re in your office, you have the opportunity to build relationships and provide an exceptional experience that ensures they return. This increased engagement can lead to higher retention rates and stronger patient loyalty.

Pro Tip: Use these visits to introduce additional services or treatments that could benefit the patient in the long term, such as orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry.

2. An Unexpected Revenue Boost in Slow Months

November and December can be slower months for many businesses—but not for dental practices running end-of-year campaigns. The urgency of expiring benefits often creates a surge in bookings, which translates to increased revenue. This influx can help offset seasonal dips or prepare the practice for early-year expenses.

Pro Tip: Pre-book patients who might otherwise delay their dental care for the upcoming months to start the New Year strong!

3. Enhanced Team Efficiency Under Pressure

The heightened demand during a campaign often pushes teams to perform at their best. While this can seem overwhelming at first, it’s an excellent opportunity to refine workflows, improve scheduling practices, and hone communication skills. Practices often discover more efficient ways to manage heavy patient volumes during these campaigns.

Pro Tip: Hold a team huddle before launching the campaign to align on goals, reinforce roles, and troubleshoot potential bottlenecks in advance.

4. Unintended Marketing Ripple Effects

“Use it or lose it” campaigns don’t just fill appointments—they can generate a buzz around your practice. If you pair your campaign with email reminders, social media posts, and in-office promotions, you can inadvertently attract new patients. Existing patients might share your campaign with friends or family, especially if your messaging highlights limited-time opportunities for care.

Pro Tip: Include referral incentives in your campaign to capitalize on word-of-mouth marketing.

5. A Clearer View of Patient Trends

Analyzing the results of your campaign can provide surprising insights into patient behavior. Are patients using their benefits for major treatments, or are they focusing on smaller procedures like cleanings and fillings? This data can inform how you plan future campaigns and adjust your offerings to meet patient needs more effectively.

Pro Tip: Use your practice management software to track patient trends and compare the effectiveness of different marketing strategies year over year.

Conclusion

A well-executed “use it or lose it” campaign is more than a tool to fill your calendar—it’s a powerful strategy to build patient loyalty, increase revenue, and improve team operations. By understanding the broader effects, dental practices can harness these campaigns as a way to drive sustained growth and better serve their communities.

Ready to launch your campaign? Start now, and ensure that your patients make the most of their benefits while you maximize your practice’s potential!