August is often overlooked in the world of dental business planning. It falls in that awkward in-between of summer and fall, and many practices wait until November or even January to begin goal setting for the new year. But successful practices understand that waiting puts them at a disadvantage. If January planning starts in January, then the first quarter is already behind. That’s why savvy dental leaders are now shifting their planning window earlier to August through December. This gives teams clarity, time to adjust, and a much stronger practice foundation heading into the new year.

Why August Is the New January

Mid-year planning allows practices to assess real-time metrics, compare them to annual goals, and identify needed course corrections. August is also the perfect moment to start preparing operational systems, financial forecasting, training schedules, and goal-setting protocols for the following year.

Rather than relying on lag measures like last month’s numbers or quarterly trends, practices can start looking at lead measures. These include scheduled procedures, patient reactivation efforts, and marketing timelines. Monitoring these proactively helps influence future results rather than simply reacting to them.

What Should Be Scheduled Now for a Stronger Practice Foundation in 2026

Here are key items that should already be on the radar:

Annual Training: Schedule HIPAA, OSHA, and CPR recertifications early. These are non-negotiables and are often pushed to the last minute.
CE Planning: Research CE opportunities, costs, and whether the entire team will attend. Build these into the annual budget now.
Fee Evaluations: Many PPOs restrict large increases, so make small, annual adjustments. Also review any product pricing for profitability.
Software and Paperwork Updates: Ensure health history forms, HIPAA documentation, and patient communication tools are current for January 1st.
Maintenance and Repairs: Identify any necessary updates to clinical equipment, technology, or physical space that may impact financial planning.

Budgeting for Success

One common pitfall is failing to budget for predictable costs. CE, equipment updates, or marketing campaigns can be planned and distributed across the year to prevent cash flow issues. By breaking these into monthly benchmarks, practices can avoid surprise dips in profitability.

It’s also vital to evaluate current profitability and overhead. Practices should assess their Bare Minimum (BAM) revenue and project how growth will affect staffing needs, scheduling, and operational capacity.

Setting Achievable Production Goals

Aim for a 7% to 10% increase over the previous year. This range supports both inflation and healthy practice growth. The key is to break this goal down into digestible daily numbers for each provider. For example, an additional $2,000 per day in combined production may feel overwhelming until it’s divided between hygiene and doctor schedules.

Daily production goals that are clear and shared across the team foster accountability and optimism. Once broken down, they often feel manageable and achievable, which boosts performance early in the year.

Staffing for the Growth Ahead

Growth goals should match operational capacity. Review your active patient count and appointment availability. Use practice software to assess next available appointments, re-care openings, and perio maintenance scheduling.

Evaluate ratios between hygienists, assistants, and front office team members to ensure the infrastructure can support higher patient volume. If staffing needs to grow, begin recruitment now so new team members are onboarded and trained before demand increases.

Final Preparations for the New Year

In addition to goal setting and budgeting, practices should:

Confirm PCI, OSHA, and HIPAA compliance is up to date
Update email and text contact information for all active patients
Prepare end-of-year letters to encourage treatment completion before benefits expire
Start fee negotiation requests with insurance carriers now
Schedule time for annual reviews and calibration meetings

Start Now for a Stronger Practice Foundation in 2026

Forward-thinking practices that plan in August are better equipped to execute strong January kickoffs, maintain morale, and meet profitability goals. The momentum doesn’t come from a great idea in January. It comes from a well-executed plan in the months before.

For support with end-of-year planning, annual goal setting, or staff calibration, the Dental A Team provides tailored consulting to help practices finish strong and launch ahead.

Schedule a free Practice Assessment with the Dental A Team and build a stronger practice foundation in 2026!

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Last updated: August 2025
Written by Jacintha Ham, Dental A Team

How to Create a Stronger Practice Foundation in 2026