Click Calendar Dates Below
Use Your Dental Benefits Month
Unfortunately, many people lose valuable dental benefits when their plans renew at the end of December. Create social media posts, reminding patients to address any necessary restorative work. Dentists can begin procedures in December and submit insurance (even if the procedure carries over into January). Inform your patients about their insurance benefits and options for dental treatment.
- Many people fail to use the balance of their FSA (Flexible Spending Account). Many of these plans have a use-it-or-lose-it rule, which means the loss of unused funds on January 1.
- Remind patients about their HSA (Health Savings Account). These funds can be used for dental expenses.
- Create a short video explaining how minor dental issues can become significant and costly if left untreated.
- Remind patients several times throughout December to schedule appointments before the end of the month.
- Create a list of services for patients with leftover dental benefits: extractions, fillings, crowns, implants, bindings, veneers, implants, dentures, braces, mouth/nightguard, and sleep appliances.
- Post text: “Unfortunately, many people lose valuable dental benefits when their plans renew at the end of December. Dentists can begin procedures in December and submit insurance (even if the procedure carries over into January). Do you need restorative work? What about cosmetic procedures like whitening and veneers? Call our office to schedule.”
- Use the following hashtags: #dentalbenefits, #dentalinsurance, #dentalinsurancebenefits
- Share the graphic or one of the videos below.
National Handwashing Awareness Month
It’s time to remind your followers about handwashing. Hands collect a lot of germs throughout the day, so washing them is the easiest way to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses. The recent pandemic has taught us much about the importance of frequent handwashing and personal hygiene.
- Washing hands is the most effective way to reduce the spread of disease
- Unwashed hands spread 80% of infectious diseases.
- Proper handwashing lasts at least 20 seconds.
- To avoid infection, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Post about the importance of handwashing this month.
- Post text: “Hands collect a lot of germs throughout the day, so washing them is the easiest way to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses. The recent pandemic has taught us much about the importance of frequent handwashing and personal hygiene.”
- Use the following hashtags: #cleanhands #handwashing #handwashingawareness #handwashingawarenessmonth #nationalhandwashingawarenessmonth #washyourhands
- Share the graphic below.
Operation Santa Paws Month
The goal of Operation Santa Paws is to assist animal shelters in December. These shelters struggle to maintain the supplies needed to care for the animals, and this campaign helps to stock the shelves with necessary supplies. About 7.6 million animals are housed in shelters. In December, we remember these animals and do what we can to improve their lives.
- Operation Santa Paws is a time to consider all the shelter animals and what they need: food, treats, blankets, and toys. Create a Santa Paws drive to collect items for a local animal shelter.
- Encourage your social media followers to share pictures of their pets.
- Create a video and ask your dental team members about the benefits of pet ownership.
- Provide a list of items needed by your local animal shelter: food, treats, cleaning supplies, pet carriers, litter, grooming supplies, etc.
- Post text: “The goal of Operation Santa Paws is to assist animal shelters in December. These shelters struggle to maintain the supplies needed to care for the animals, and this campaign helps to stock the shelves with necessary supplies. About 7.6 million animals are housed in shelters. In December, we remember these animals and do what we can to improve their lives.”
- Use the following hashtags: #animalshelters #furryfriends #furryfriendsforever #operationsantapaws #santapaws #santapawsforacause #santapawsiscoming #santapawsiscomingtotown
- Share the graphic below.
Universal Human Rights Month
Just after World War II, the United Nations drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The first article states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
- Share social media posts about messages of respect, kindness, and equality.
- Post inspirational quotes about life, liberty, freedom, and security.
- Have your dental team participate in an event that elevates others (5K run, fundraiser, etc.).
- Post text: “Just after World War II, the United Nations drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The first article states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
- Use the following hashtags: #equality #freedom #humanrights #liberty #life #universalhumanrights #universalhumanrightsmonth
- Share the graphic below.
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month was started by the organization Prevent Blindness. The goal is to remind parents and caregivers about safe, age-appropriate toys—especially for children under three.
- December is the month of gift giving, so it’s important to consider toy safety, especially when it comes to small children and their tendency to chew on non-food items.
- Discard popped balloons and small toy parts because they can be choking hazards.
- Wear safety gear with riding toys (skateboards, scooters, etc.). Be sure to wear a mouthguard!
- Post about safety; mainly focus on mouth-related issues like choking and tooth damage.
- Inspect toys before giving them to children. Look for sharp edges and little parts.
- Look for the label ATSM (American Society for Testing and Materials); this organization holds toys to a high standard.
- Do not give toys with ropes. Only give non-toxic crayons and markers.
- Post text: “Safe Toys and Gifts Month was started by the organization Prevent Blindness. The goal is to remind parents and caregivers about safe, age-appropriate toys—especially for children under three. During the gift-giving month of December, protect children by reviewing all toys and looking for potential dangers.
- Use the following hashtags: #safetoys #safetoysandgiftsmonth #safetoysforbabies #safetoysforkids #toysafety
- Share the graphic below.
Elf on a Shelf Month
This fun tradition began with a book by Carol Aebersold entitled The Elf on a Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The story is about elves who visit homes between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. When they return to the North Pole, they report who has been naughty and nice.
- Throughout December, create some fun posts with Elf on a Shelf. What type of mischief can Elf discover in a dental office? Have your staff pool ideas. Take pictures and post them on social media.
- Ask your followers to share elf pictures from their homes.
- Remind your followers that part of being nice is proper oral hygiene and that the elf will report a lack of brushing and flossing to Santa!
- Post text: “This fun tradition began with a book by Carol Aebersold entitled The Elf on a Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The story is about elves who visit homes between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. When they return to the North Pole, they report who has been naughty and nice—don’t forget that part of being nice is good oral care!
- Use the following hashtags: #elfonashelf #elfontheshelf #elfontheshelfadventures #theelfonashelf #theelfontheshelf
- Share one of the graphics below.
Walt Disney Day (December 2)
Your 2024 December social media calendar should include some cultural trivia as well. Disney films are popular. Today, you can have some fun recognizing all the animated characters.
- Have your staff dress up as Disney characters.
- Auction off Disney DVDs.
- Post some history about Walt Disney.
- Create a short video, and ask your team members what Disney character they relate to.
- Post text: “Disney animated films have become very popular over the years. Do you have a favorite? What about the characters—does one stand out as especially memorable?”
- Use the following hashtags: #disney #disneycharacters #disneyday #disneydays #disneyland #disneyworld #waltdisney #waltdisneyday #waltdisneystudios #waltdisneyworld
- Share one of the videos below.
World Wildlife Conservation Day (December 4)
Protecting animals and the environment is essential. This social media date is a time to consider all the ways to protect and sustain the earth.
- Share a link to a wildlife conservation article.
- Participate in a conservation event with your dental team.
- Share ways that people can practice conservation in their backyards.
- Put up bird feeders and butterfly houses.
- Plant a tree.
- Avoid pesticides.
- Create wildlife habitats with tall grass and brush piles.
- Host a fund drive for a local conservation group.
- Post text: “Protecting animals and the environment is essential. In what ways can you help conservation initiatives? Plant a tree? Create wildlife habitats?”
- Use the following hashtags: #conservation #conservationeducation #conservationist #conservationmatters #marineconservation #oceanconservation #wildlife #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeday #worldwildlifeconservationday #worldwildlifeday #worldwildlifeday2024
- Share one of the graphics below.
International Sweater Vestival Day (December 6)
What a fun way to start your 2024 December social media calendar! Today is an excellent time to bond with your staff by recognizing sweater vests. Every second Friday after Thanksgiving, people break out their sweater vests and make a fashion statement.
- Have the staff wear sweater vests and get some creative pictures for social media.
- Ask your followers to share pictures of their sweater vests.
- Buy some sweater vests and raffle them off to patients.
- Dress up a miniature model tooth in a sweater vest.
- Post text: “Sweater vests are a popular holiday fashion statement. Many vest designs are quite unique and bold. Do you have a favorite? Please share a picture in the comments!”
- Use the following hashtags: #internationalsweatervestivalday #sweater #sweaterday #sweaterdays #sweaters #sweaterseason #sweatervestivalday #uglysweater
- Share the graphic below.
Saint Nicholas Day (Feast of Saint Nicholas) (December 6)
Today is a time to remember the generosity of St. Nicholas, who was born in 270 AD and spent his life serving the poor. He was also known for his gift-giving and charity, which made him the inspiration for Santa Claus.
- Share an interesting article about St. Nicholas.
- Share a list of small, fun gifts to give on St. Nicholas Day.
- Post a quote about the importance of giving.
- Post text: “St. Nicholas was born in 270 AD and spent his life serving the poor. He was also known for his gift-giving and generosity, which made him the inspiration for Santa Claus. What are the best ways to help those in need today? How can people express Saint-Nicholas-type generosity in our modern world?”
- Use the following hashtags: #generosity #gifts #giving #santa #santaclaus #stnicholas #stnicholasday #stnick
- Share the graphic below.
National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance (December 7)
December 7 is a time to remember those who died in the Pearl Harbor attack that brought the United States into World War Two.
- Post a link about Pearl Harbor.
- Create a post honoring those lost on December 7, 1941.
- Display an American flag at your practice.
- Share a heroic story about Pearl Harbor, like Doris Miller, who acted bravely to protect his ship and fellow sailors.
- Post text: “December 7 is a time to remember those who died in the Pearl Harbor attack that brought the United States into World War Two.”
- Use the following hashtags: #december7 #pearlharbor #pearlharborday #pearlharbormemorial
- Share the graphics below.
Christmas Card Day (December 9)
Getting Christmas cards is something that many look forward to during the holidays. Have some fun with this annual tradition by making it one of your social media days.
- Hold a drawing for followers and give away Christmas cards.
- Ask your followers to share pictures of their Christmas cards.
- Organize a staff Christmas card picture and mail it to your patients with an inspiring message.
- Share your display of Christmas cards from patients.
- Post text: “Sending and receiving Christmas cards is an important part of the holiday season for many families. Why do you think this tradition continues year after year?”
- Use the following hashtags: #christmascard #christmascarddesign #christmascardphoto #christmascardday #christmascardideas #christmascardmaking #christmascards #christmascardseason #christmascards2024
- Share the graphic below.
Gingerbread Decorating Day (December 12)
A well-balanced 2024 December social media calendar should include plenty of staff events. Today can be a lot of fun with your dental team. Break out your creative side and prepare to decorate!
- Buy some gingerbread house kits for your staff to take home. Encourage creativity, detail, and originality. Post pictures and let your followers pick the best one.
- Make a gingerbread house that looks like your dental practice. Display it at the front desk and share pictures on social media.
- Make tooth-shaped gingerbread cookies for your staff to decorate. Share pictures on social media.
- Auction off a professionally decorated gingerbread house.
- Ask followers to share pictures of their gingerbread houses and decorated cookies.
- Post a video about making gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses.
- Remind your followers to brush and floss after eating sugary snacks—like gingerbread!
- Post text: “Another fun tradition during the holidays is gingerbread decorating. Do you have a gingerbread house on display? How do you decorate your gingerbread cookies? Please share pictures in the comments!”
- Use oral hygiene hashtags in your posts and the following: #gingerbread #gingerbreadcookie #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreaddecorating #gingerbreaddecoratingday #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadhouses #gingerbreadhousemaking #gingerbreadman #gingerbreadmen #gingerbreadvillage
- Share one of the graphics below.
National Cocoa Day (December 13)
Who doesn’t like something warm to drink, especially on cold winter days? Cocoa is always an easy and fun way to bring holiday cheer to the office. Just make sure to brush and floss!
- Have cocoas delivered to your staff from a local coffee shop. Snap some fun pictures for social media.
- Raffle off gift certificates to a local coffee shop.
- Give away your dental practice branded mugs filled with cocoa powder, marshmallows, and other holiday treats. Consider adding a branded toothbrush and toothpaste to reinforce the importance of brushing after sugary snacks.
- Create a post about the history of cocoa.
- Post text: “Who doesn’t like something warm to drink, especially on cold winter days? Cocoa is always an easy and fun way to make some holiday cheer. Do you have a favorite recipe? What about marshmallows—do you include those on top?”
- Use the following hashtags: #cocoa #cocoaday #cocoapowder #hotcocoa #hotcocoaday #hotcocoatime #nationalcocoaday
- Share the graphic or video below.
National Ugly Sweater Day (December 20)
Laughter is always an excellent way to lift spirits. Ugly Sweater Day (Every third Friday of December) is a time to make fun of those old, out-of-date, and even bizarre fashions.
- Ask team members to wear their ugliest sweaters and get plenty of creative pictures for social media.
- Ask your followers to post pictures of their ugliest sweaters.
- Link to an article about the origins of Ugly Sweater Day.
- Post text: “Laughter is always an excellent way to lift spirits. Ugly Sweater Day is a time to make fun of those old, out-of-date, and even bizarre fashions.”
- Use the following hashtags: #nationaluglychristmassweaterday #nationaluglysweaterday #uglysweater #uglysweaterday #uglysweaterparty #uglysweaters
Christmas (December 25)
Christmas is a time for sharing joy with your patients and a must on your social media holidays calendar.
- Decorate the office for Christmas (a tree, wreaths, stockings for team members).
- Make a short video of your team singing a Christmas carol.
- Hold a toy drive for disadvantaged children.
- Collect canned goods for the local food pantry.
- Post text: “Our office wishes your family a Merry Christmas—may the day be filled with warm memories!”
- Use the following hashtags: #christmas #christmasdecor #christmasdecorations #christmasgifts #christmaslights #christmasmood #christmasspirit #christmastime #christmastree #christmas2024
- Share the graphic or one of the videos below.
Pledge of Allegiance Day (December 28)
The Pledge of Allegiance is a way to demonstrate unity. Today is a good time to remember the values that built the United States.
- Post the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Share an article about the Pledge of Allegiance (history and meaning).
- Give little flags to your patients with Pledge of Allegiance cards attached with ribbon.
- Ask followers to share what the Pledge of Allegiance means to them.
- Post text: “The Pledge of Allegiance is a way to demonstrate unity. Today is a good time to remember the values that built the United States.”
- Use the following hashtags: #pledge #pledgeallegiance #pledgeday #pledgeofallegiance #pledgeofallegianceday
- Share the graphic below.
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
The last post in your 2024 December social media calendar is, of course, New Year’s Eve. It’s a time to reset and think about making positive changes. It’s also a time to celebrate with loved ones and remember the considerable blessings in life. Do your best to inspire and encourage.
- Bookend the year by creating a photo collage of images from the past year. Focus on relationships, images of staff and patients. Highlight practice events, dental work reveals (cosmetic/orthodontic), funny moments, achievements—anything that reinforces your dental practice brand.
- Provide some information about New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world.
- Make a short video with staff wishing followers a happy new year.
- Share a video of the Times Square Ball drop.
- Post text: “New Year’s Eve is a time to reset and think about making positive changes. It’s also a time to celebrate with loved ones and remember the considerable blessings in life.”
- Use the following hashtags: #newyear #newyear2025 #newyearnewme #newyearscelebration #newyearscelebrations #newyearseve #newyearseve2024 #newyearseveparty #newyearsresolution #newyearsresolutions #newyearsresolutions2025
- Share the graphic or video below.
