The end of the year is not the time to panic, cram in projects, or sacrifice your holidays trying to catch up. It's the time to lead your practice like a CEO.
Here are 15 things every dental practice owner could be doing now:
1. Count your actual remaining workdays.
Look at the calendar. Subtract holidays, vacation days, and planned closures. How many productive days do you really have left to reach your annual goals?
2. Evaluate every remaining day on the schedule.
Identify low-production days, unnecessary gaps, and days that aren't scheduled to meet your production goals. Fix them now, not two weeks before Christmas.
3. Make every remaining appointment count. Don’t allow irresponsible patients to derail your goals.
Have a plan for cancellations, broken appointments, and patients who repeatedly fail to show or pay. Your schedule is too valuable to leave holes that could have been filled.
4. Get January scheduled to goal.
Patients who have maxed out their insurance benefits may be ready to schedule in January. Identify them now. Start the new year with a strong schedule instead of starting from scratch.
5. Preplan your Christmas celebration.
Give your team something to look forward to! Plan the celebration, communicate the details, and create excitement while everyone is working through the busy season.
6. Thank your team NOW.
Don't wait until the Christmas party to recognize their hard work. Tell them specifically what you appreciate. For example:
"I noticed how you jumped in to help when we were short-handed."
"Our collections improved because of your follow-through."
"I appreciate how you helped that anxious patient feel comfortable."
"Your consistency has made a difference in this office."
Specific recognition tells people you are paying attention.
7. Know your actual financial position.
Look beyond production. Know your collections, outstanding bills, upcoming expenses, payroll obligations, and how much cash flow will remain after bonuses and year-end expenses are paid.
8. Let’s not cram 12 months of projects into the last 8 weeks.
You cannot fix everything before December 31. Choose the projects that matter most and move the rest into a strategic plan for next year.
9. Protect your holiday time.
Prebook coverage with other dentists if necessary. Make arrangements for emergencies and patient needs before you leave. Your vacation should not turn into a week of answering office calls.
10. Don't sacrifice your holidays to catch up on business.
If you are constantly working during your time off, something needs to change. Build a practice that supports your life, not one that consumes it.
11. Schedule time to work ON your business.
Block out a few hours each week for CEO projects. Don't expect to find the time. Put it on your calendar.
12. Review your fees for next year.
Are your fees keeping pace with your overhead, expenses, and profitability goals? Make your decisions now so you can implement changes strategically.
13. Plan next year's time off.
Decide when you and your team will take vacations, which holidays the office will close, and how you will maintain patient coverage. Planning ahead prevents unnecessary scheduling chaos.
14. Identify your top three business improvements for next year.
Maybe it's improving collections, increasing hygiene reappointment, reducing overhead, developing your office manager, or improving case acceptance. Pick three priorities and create an action plan.
15. Review what went RIGHT this year.
Don't spend all your time looking at what didn't get accomplished. Identify your wins, recognize the people who contributed, and determine what you want to duplicate next year.
Remember: Your job as the CEO is not to do everything. It's to make sure the right things get done.
A profitable, well-organized dental practice doesn't happen by accident. It happens because someone is leading it with intention.
Finish this year strong, prepare for next year strategically, and give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays!