October 16, 2025

As we enter the holiday season, now is the perfect time to remind patients about their unused dental insurance benefits.

Most dental plans reset on December 31, meaning any remaining coverage will expire at the end of the year. Reaching out now helps your patients take advantage of their benefits, improves their oral health, and keeps your appointment calendar full through the busy holiday season. A thoughtful, well-timed reminder benefits your patients and strengthens their trust in your practice.

Reach Out to Patients with Unmet Dental Needs

Start by reviewing your records to identify:

• Patients with outstanding treatment.
  
  
• Patients who have unused insurance benefits this year.
  
  
• Patients who haven’t been in for preventive care or follow-up visits.
  
  

These patients may have postponed care because of time, finances, or other personal reasons. A warm and personalized reminder can encourage them to schedule before the year ends.

When you contact them, focus on helping them maximize the value of their insurance and protect their dental health.

You might say:

“I wanted to remind you that your dental benefits reset soon, and you still have coverage available for this year. Let’s help you make the most of it before it expires.”

Framing the message as a service, not a sales pitch, helps patients feel cared for and supported in their health decisions.

Get Ahead of the Holiday Rush

As November and December approach, schedules fill quickly with travel, school events, and holiday commitments. Patients often realize too late that their benefits are about to expire, leaving little time to complete treatment.

Encourage your team to reach out early using multiple channels:

• Personal calls for patients with higher-value treatment plans.
  
  
• Friendly texts with short reminders and easy scheduling links.
  
  
• Email campaigns highlighting that unused benefits expire soon.
  
  

A proactive approach now can prevent the last-minute scramble and ensure your schedule stays steady through the end of the year.

Build Goodwill and Show Empathy

Reminding patients about their benefits also demonstrates empathy and excellent customer service. Many people are managing tighter budgets this year, and dental care may not be a top priority. Your message can show understanding while reinforcing the long-term value of staying consistent with dental treatment.

If your practice offers payment plans or third-party financing, include that information in your outreach. Letting patients know you can work with their budget often helps them move forward with treatment they’ve been delaying.

Small gestures like this build goodwill and trust, strengthening relationships and encouraging long-term patient loyalty.

Make It a Win-Win for Patients and Your Practice

When you take the time to reach out, everyone benefits. Patients appreciate the reminder, your schedule stays productive, and your team avoids the stress of last-minute scheduling.

These outreach efforts help:

• Patients maximize their benefits before they expire.
  
  
• Increase case acceptance.
  
  
• The practice to maintain consistent revenue heading into the new year.
  
  

It’s a simple, effective way to show patients that your office is organized, caring, and committed to their best interests.

Start Reaching Out Today

The sooner you begin, the better your results will be. Encourage your team to carve out weekly time for patient outreach and keep your messaging personal, positive, and focused on care.

A few thoughtful reminders can make a real difference in helping patients use their benefits and keeping your practice thriving as the year ends.

Not sure where to start? Contact us today!