August often signals a pivotal moment in the dental calendar. It feels like the year is winding down, yet it's also a starting line for what comes next. While many practices are still working toward current-year goals, now is the ideal time to begin planning for 2026. Waiting until December or January often results in rushed decisions and missed opportunities.
Here are key focus areas to strengthen the foundation for a more productive and profitable 2026.
Start with Lag and Lead Measure Clarity
Many dental practices rely heavily on lag measures such as P&L statements or year-end reports. These are important, but they often come too late to impact real-time decision-making. Practices seeing consistent growth and profitability are the ones focusing on lead measures early and often. These include:
Ensure systems are in place now to review performance in real time and adjust course before the year ends.
Pre-Schedule Annual Maintenance and Trainings
Operational readiness includes planning out critical dates and requirements for the upcoming year:
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HIPAA, OSHA, and CPR renewals
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Annual CE budgets and travel plans
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Practice maintenance (compressors, handpieces, software updates)
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PCI compliance reviews
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Fee schedule reviews and insurance renegotiation timelines
These should all be on the calendar before January. Practices that handle compliance and continuing education reactively often lose production time or get caught in costly oversights.
Budget and Forecast Practice Investments
Now is the time to review projected expenses and match them to production goals. Whether the practice is planning equipment upgrades, marketing campaigns, or exterior renovations, the key is to bake these costs into the budget early.
Many practices experience cash flow challenges not because they overspent, but because they failed to forecast appropriately. Creating a buffer or production target tied to projected investment helps practices maintain profitability while continuing to evolve.
Plan for 7 to 10 Percent Growth
Inflation alone can push costs upward by 7 percent or more. A 10 percent growth target allows practices to remain profitable while staying ahead of rising expenses. When broken down monthly or weekly, the numbers become much more achievable:
It’s not about drastic changes, but about consistent, intentional action over time.
Prepare the Team to Execute
Setting annual goals is only one part of the equation. Execution requires:
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Updating patient paperwork (especially health histories and consent forms)
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Confirming accurate patient emails for communication and billing
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Reviewing team capacity vs. active patient load
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Evaluating staffing needs and role distribution
The number of patients per hygienist, the assistant-to-doctor ratio, and front office workload should all be assessed now. Hiring or restructuring in January often leads to chaos and rushed decisions. Instead, map out what resources are needed to hit next year’s goals.
Start with September
Practices that wait until October to send end-of-year benefit letters typically experience an overloaded November and December. Instead, send them in August or early September and use the opportunity to fill the fall schedule with pending treatment.
This not only smooths out the production curve but also alleviates team stress during the holiday season.
Lay the Foundation Today
The best way to create a stronger practice foundation in 2026 is to start right now. Map out next year’s CE, team training, compliance updates, and production goals. Update systems, assess team capacity, and align the budget with expected investments.
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