Need some help combatting the summer slump?

Summer is the perfect time to bring some extra fun and energy into your dental practice for both your patients and your team. Warmer weather and longer days offer plenty of opportunities to strengthen relationships, boost morale and create memorable experiences that set your practice apart. Whether you’re looking to engage patients with seasonal promotions or reward staff with team-building activities, we’ve compiled some practical ideas to help your office make the most out of these summer months!

For patients:

1. Summer smile contest

Ask your patients to submit photos of their best summer smiles, whether at the beach, family vacations or a backyard BBQ. With permission, you can post them on social media or create a bulletin board in the office to display their pictures. Take it up a notch by offering dental goodie bags for participation full of treats such as gift cards, whitening kits or local business tie-ins such as ice cream or smoothie shop coupons.

2. Back-to-school specials

Back-to school season is a great time to encourage dental visits and attract both new and returning patients. Offering discounted exams, cleanings and x-rays for students can be a great incentive to get them in before the start of the year. Other ideas include gifting free school supplies after a check-up, raffling a classroom supply gift card for teachers or a BOGO promotion for busy families with multiple children. You could even take it as far as including a fun oral health “report card” after each visit, grading your patients brushing, flossing and overall hygiene.

3. Pop-up booth at a local fair or farmer’s market

Showing up to a local summer event such as a fair or a farmer’s market is a fantastic way to build community presence and attract new patients in a non-clinical setting. Maybe bring along a “spin-the-tooth” prize wheel or a DIY smile selfie station! Order some dental merch with your team’s logo and pass it out to those who pass by or stop to chat. Showing up to local events can be key in growing your practice while educating and connecting with the community you serve.

4. Summer referral drive

Offering a summer-inspired incentive is a great way to get your patients excited. Give existing patients a reward for every referral, and maybe a bonus for multiple referrals or a grand prize drawing at the end of the season. The rewards could be gift cards to a local coffee shop, nice dental products such as electric toothbrushes or branded summer swag like sunglasses and cooler bags. Grand prize drawings could range anywhere from a stuffed picnic basket to a beach weekend getaway! Get word of the promotion out there via signage, email blasts or text reminders, and make sure to provide referral cards, a referral link or even a mobile QR code.

5. Ice cream social

Tooth sensitivity is a common issue that can often be triggered by cold treats such as ice cream. So why not host an ice cream party with a purpose? Choose a weekend or afternoon at your practice to offer an ice cream bar with fun toppings and flavors. Create an educational display with facts about what causes tooth sensitivity, common triggers and prevention techniques. You could even go the extra mile by providing samples of desensitizing toothpaste for patients to take home. This serves as a great opportunity to bring the community together and even snap some fun content for your socials!

6. Toothbrush swap event

With how busy the summer months can be, switching out an old toothbrush with a fresh one may take a back seat. A toothbrush swap event is a creative and community-friendly way to promote oral hygiene and regular toothbrush replacement. Set a date and location, promote the event on socials and purchase some bright, summer-colored toothbrushes for the big day. People who stop by can drop off their old brushes and choose a sparkly new one for the season. This is another great opportunity for a fun social media campaign or adding in educational elements.

7. Collaborate with local summer camps

On the theme of community engagement, why not see if there are any local opportunities for your office to get involved at a summer camp or recreation center in your area! Show your support through sponsorships, volunteering at events or providing camper materials such as water bottle and backpacks with your offices branding. You could even go the extra mile and fund one or more camp spots for children from families who may not be able to afford it themselves! This serves as a great visibility opportunity for the summer season and builds positive community connection for your team!

For staff:

1. Summer spirit week

A summer-themed spirit week is a fantastic way to boost staff morale during the hotter months. Here are some creative, dental-friendly theme ideas that are easy to implement:

• Beach bum day (wear beach attire to work such as flip flops, sun hats and sunglasses)
• Color war day (each department wears a specific summery color)
• Wacky Wednesday (mismatched clothes, colorful wigs, funky sunglasses, etc.)
• Team Tuesday (wear your favorite office branded merch)
• Hawaiian day (floral shirts, grass skirts and leis)
• Hollywood smile day (dress like your favorite celebrity)
• Frozen Friday (wear winter gear and enjoy some cool popsicles or treats)

2. Frozen treat Friday

Everybody loves a delicious treat during the workday! Instead of sugary ice cream, maybe try sugar-free popsicles, a frozen yogurt bar or a frozen fruit kabob. Set up a treat bar at work and let your staff enjoy!

3. Team field day

Summer is a great time to host a staff-only team-building day for some fun, relaxed bonding time. Incorporate some outdoor games such as tooth trivia, a water balloon toss, “floss” tug of war, pin the tooth on the smile or whatever sounds the most fun for your group! Field day games and challenges promote collaboration, communication and trust, skills that can translate directly to a smoother, more connected workplace.

Organize a potluck or catered picnic with tooth-friendly bites and chilled drinks to ensure a great, sunny day for everyone.

4. Summer “survival kit” gift bags

Creating summer survival kits for your dental staff is a thoughtful way to show appreciation and boost morale during these warm and busy months. It’s a great idea to provide practical goodies that can help to keep your staff cool, hydrated and happy. A small gesture like this can go a long way is fostering a positive workplace culture. Here are some ideas on what to include:

• Sunscreen / SPF lip balm
• Beach towels
• Mini fans
• Sunglasses
• Flip flops
• Reusable water bottles
• Gift cards (for iced coffee shops, smoothie shops, ice cream shops, etc.)

5. Friday BBQ or potluck

Choose a Friday in the summer to plan a BBQ or potluck for some good food and fun for your team. Taking time to relax and connect over a meal will help to reduce work stress and show your staff they are appreciated. Sharing personal dishes or grilling together creates natural moments for conversations and relationship building outside of a clinical setting. But no one will judge if you cater! This type of event serves as a more cost-effective option in comparison to a more formal event.

6. Casual summer Fridays

Encouraging a casual dress code on Fridays can bring a fresh sense of energy and relaxation to your dental office, helping staff feel more comfortable and appreciated as the week winds down. Allowing team members to dress down in neat, casual attire can promote a positive work environment, and even enhance team bonding. Small shifts like this one can promote the value of work-life balance and long-term staff retention through busier months.

7. Outdoor movie night

Looking for another unique summer activity to bring the team together after hours? Host an outdoor movie night for your staff and their families! Use the office lawn, a local park or someone’s spacious backyard and select a weekend where the most staff can attend. You can rent a projector and screen in most areas, and make sure you have a sound system that will be clear for everyone as well. Have your staff vote on their favorite movie, encourage them to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and you are good to go. Bonus points for renting a popcorn machine! This is the kind of event that shows the team they are not just valued as employees, but as people contributing to the community culture.

Overall, if your team is having fun, your patients will feel it too! Nothing says “we care” like tropical shirts and impromptu popsicle parties. The summer months will fly by, so make the most of them and incorporate some of these ideas today!

Bottom Line: Infusing summer fun into your dental practice isn’t just about beating the heat—it’s about building connection, boosting morale and standing out in your community. From patient-facing promotions to team-building events, these seasonal touches can create lasting memories, improve workplace culture and even grow your practice. A little creativity goes a long way in turning the summer slump into a season of smiles.