Summer Slowdown? 10 Productive Things to Do at Your Practice
With warmer weather and vacation plans, summer often means fewer appointments and quieter offices. But don’t view this as a setback—it’s your opportunity to regroup, improve, and gear up for a strong return in the fall. Here are ten practical and productive ways to make the most of your slower summer season.
1. Reconnect with Inactive Patients
When was the last time you reached out to patients who’ve drifted away? Take this quieter time to reconnect with a simple text, friendly email, or quick phone call. A personalized message reminding them about overdue care or offering a seasonal promotion can make all the difference. For instance, consider a summer check-up special or a “welcome back” discount. Tools like Weave’s two-way texting make this task easy, efficient, and trackable.
Want more tips on how to reach your inactive patients? Check out our ebook: The Complete Guide to Patient Recall
2. Fine-Tune Your Communication Systems
Your practice’s communication methods directly impact patient satisfaction. Now is the perfect moment to evaluate how calls, texts, and emails are managed, especially during peak periods or after hours. Implement automatic missed call texts or refresh your voicemail to ensure no inquiry is ever overlooked. Patients notice—and appreciate—responsive and reliable communication.
Building a relationship with your patients can benefit your practice in many ways. Simply sending them a “Happy Birthday” message can be a thoughtful way to show you care about your patients. The same can be said for remembering their names and family members when they call. Happy patients could lead to better treatment acceptance, a more positive view of your practice, kinder treatment of your staff, and more. Investing in how you communicate and foster those relationships can make all the difference.
3. Launch a Referral Program
Happy patients are your best marketers. Use the summer lull to kick off a referral or “bring a friend” promotion. Keep it straightforward: offer simple incentives like gift cards, discounts, or entries into a fun prize draw. Encourage existing patients to bring in their friends and family, turning your satisfied clients into enthusiastic advocates for your practice.
4. Send a Quick Summer Survey
Want genuine feedback? Just ask. Create a short, user-friendly survey that patients can complete on their phones in a few minutes. Ask clear, actionable questions about what they appreciate and what could be improved. Use these insights to enhance your practice before things pick up again. Real-time adjustments based on direct patient input can significantly improve your services.
5. Review and Automate Appointment Reminders
Review and refine your appointment reminder system. Ensure your messages are clear, timely, and consistent. Automating reminders can reduce no-shows and cancellations dramatically. This frees your team to concentrate on delivering excellent patient care rather than managing appointments manually. An optimized system today pays off significantly when schedules get busy again.
See how Berdy Dental was able to improve its patient experience using appointment reminders in our case study: Berdy Dental Gives Patients a World-Class Experience With Weave
6. Prepare for Back-to-School Season
Summer goes quickly, and before you know it, families will be prepping for school. Plan a back-to-school event or promotion now, such as offering specials on check-ups, physicals, or dental cleanings. Market these specials through your website, social media, and text messages. Engaging families early positions you as their go-to practice when back-to-school time arrives.
7. Dive into Your Practice’s Analytics
Your office analytics offer critical insights. Spend time understanding your data: what services are popular, when slow periods occur, and where adjustments are needed. For example, if appointments drop noticeably in July, plan special promotions for that month next year. Use these insights to set realistic and strategic goals, maximizing productivity throughout the year.
It may also be worth considering taking some time for financial and data review. See if your practice’s software offers reports and dashboards to get insights on your revenue cycle management, patient satisfaction, underperforming products or staff members and more. You could use the extra time to review your budget, clean up your practice database, or install a new tech stack with time to trian your staff.
If you’re a Weave customer, you can use Analytics to quickly identify opportunities to boost efficiency, your bottom line, or your patients’ experience.
8. Enhance Your Patient Welcome Experience
First impressions matter—especially for new patients. Update your welcome packets to clearly communicate expectations, procedures, and essential information. Ensure materials reflect your practice’s personality and values, making every new patient feel welcomed and informed. Use this quieter period to polish the details that create a memorable first impression.
9. Invest in Team Training
Summer slowdowns provide the ideal opportunity to boost team skills. Organize brief workshops or online training sessions covering key topics like patient interaction, front-office efficiency, or software use. For example, a session on patient communication techniques or advanced scheduling can significantly enhance day-to-day operations. A well-trained team means happier patients and smoother operations.
Investing in your team can also be investing in your people and their well-being. While things are slow, consider taking some time to show your staff appreciation. Some thoughtful ways to reach out could include writing a thank-you card, giving them a shoutout on social media, or making an effort to help mentor them. Showing your staff some gratitude could help them feel more appreciated and help you retain your staff beyond the summer slowdown.
Looking for other ways to support your team? Watch our webinar, Healthy Leadership: Techniques for Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout in Healthcare
10. Update Your Office Technology & Tools
Busy times often mean sticking with familiar systems—even if they’re outdated or inefficient. Summer is perfect for reviewing, consolidating, or upgrading your practice’s tech stack. Evaluate what’s working well, identify bottlenecks, and explore solutions to streamline operations. Upgrading tools now can save time and significantly reduce stress later.
Make the Most of the Summer Slowdown
Instead of simply riding out the seasonal slowdown, reframe it as a moment for meaningful growth. Whether it’s refining workflows, reconnecting with patients, or upskilling your team, this time can lay the groundwork for long-term success. The most resilient practices don’t just survive the off-season; they use it to thrive.
Looking for more ways to elevate your practice? Explore our resource library for actionable tips, tools, and strategies to keep momentum going all year round.
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