Parents often struggle to find the time to take their children to the dentist for orthodontic services. These are complex procedures that require many appointments, so many families are less willing to begin them once the school year kicks off. That’s why it’s so important to promote orthodontics during the summer months.
Once late summer starts, parents are already thinking about the back-to-school routine. They may make the dental appointments that they haven’t been able to schedule during the school year, and this is the perfect opportunity to speak to them about their child’s orthodontic needs.
Learn more about why summer is the ideal time to promote orthodontics.
Why does late summer drive orthodontic interest?
Come late July and August, parents begin preparing for the upcoming school year. Buying school supplies, ordering uniforms, and otherwise preparing their children for the first day of school becomes a primary focus. To avoid last-minute rushes, parents often schedule all manner of medical checkups in the summer, including dental appointments.
If a child requires long-term orthodontic treatment, it’s likely that their parents will start them in the summer. Since the summer schedule is less hectic, it’s easier for them to make convenient appointments.
Many parents also put off orthodontic care until the summer because they worry about discomfort or other issues.
If a child gets braces during the summer, they’ll have time to adjust to them before school starts. Some kids may even feel self-conscious about the orthodontic treatments they receive. Over the summer break, they’ll have time to get used to the idea of wearing braces.
Additionally, parents may also spend more time with their children during these months. They may be paying more attention to their dental development, which could lead them to consider orthodontic services.
How should you promote orthodontics during back-to-school season?
Back-to-school season may be a great time to perform orthodontic procedures, but how does a practice encourage parents to choose these treatments? One way of doing so is by offering consultations and evaluations for children and teens. Some practices provide complimentary or reduced-rate consultations for these services.
Creating engaging content across social media and email newsletters with back-to-school smile packages as a focus can also be helpful. Don’t forget in-person engagement, though. If a child has a routine dental appointment scheduled, talking to the parents about whether their child needs orthodontic care can make a difference.
Through in-person visits and online content, you can rely on educational material to let families know about the benefits of offering early treatments to children who need them. Remind them that early orthodontic care can help prevent more serious issues later on, which can save them time and money.
If there are back-to-school events in your area, such as fairs, promoting your services there can catch parents’ attention. You might even consider running raffles and other contests for patients who get checkups during the summer. This approach can provide you with ample opportunity to discuss orthodontic care with your clients.
Prepare your team and your schedule for increased demand.
The strategies described here can help increase your bookings, so you must be ready to meet the rise in demand. It’s a good idea to train your staff to identify opportunities to promote orthodontic services during appointments. It’s equally important to follow up with parents who have expressed interest themselves.
If appropriate, encourage your staff to take orthodontic courses so they can better recognize when children and teens can benefit from these services.
Make it a priority to maintain clear, consistent messaging about these treatments throughout your practice. Schedule a staff meeting as soon as the summer season starts to address what your messaging will be and how best to get it out.
You and the rest of your team should be ready to make adjustments to your schedule and offer the kind of flexibility that parents are looking for during the summer months. Doing so may prompt them to consider more complex orthodontic treatments.
Prepare to offer orthodontic services this summer.
If you’ve been searching for a way to get more bookings for your practice during the summer months, consider promoting orthodontics this year. Parents of children and teens may need a bit of encouragement to consider long-term treatments, so take the time to offer discounts and step up your marketing for orthodontic services.
Now is the time to take a proactive approach to increasing summer appointments. Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars offers a wide variety of courses, including an orthodontic assistant course. Our educational resources can make it easier to give your bottom line the bump it needs this year. Browse our courses today to get started.