Click Calendar Dates Below
National TMJ Awareness Month
Millions of Americans suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, a debilitating condition that affects the connection between the jawbone and skull. In November, we focus on awareness and use social media to educate followers about the causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Million Americans report TMJ pain, and most are women in their childbearing years. Recent studies have found that TMJ is a complex multi-system condition that extends beyond the jaws and teeth.
- Note some of the leading causes of TMJ disorders.
- side effect of medication (leading to bruxism)
- stress
- improper dental occlusion
- infections
- injuries to the jaw area
- arthritis
- autoimmune diseases
- Create content that highlights TMJ disorder symptoms.
- jaw pain
- difficulty chewing
- popping sounds, grating in the jaw
- neck and shoulder pain
- chronic headaches
- dizziness
- vision issues
- Outline the TMJ disorder treatments that your office provides.
- mouthguards
- dental work (crowns, bridges, or braces) to correct malocclusion
- Post text: “Millions of Americans suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, a debilitating condition that affects the connection between the jawbone and skull. Often, the issue stems from malocclusion or a bite that doesn’t line up properly. We offer several treatments to relieve TMJ pain, such as mouthguards, crowns, and braces.”
- Use tmj hashtags and the following: #nationaltmjawarenessmonth #tmjawareness #tmjawarenessmonth
- Share one of the graphics below.
Mouth Cancer Action Month
54,000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year. Survival rates are greatly improved if dental professionals detect the disease early. Use your social media content to educate the public about mouth cancer and encourage them to get screened at their routine dental appointments. Tobacco use is still a substantial risk factor, but a growing number of healthy non-smokers are at risk due to the spread of HPV (human papillomavirus).
- Encourage your followers to avoid habits that increase the risk of mouth cancer (smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet).
- Discuss HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and its link to mouth cancer.
- Provide information about mouth cancer screening in your office.
- Post a link to the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
- Participate in a Mouth Cancer Foundation Walk/Run.
- Share statistics about mouth cancer and early detection.
- Film a mouth cancer screening in your office and post it online. Be sure to narrate the procedure and explain the importance of each step. If your office uses a VELscope®, this is a good time to illustrate how the light detects cancer early.
- Provide free mouth cancer screenings to your patients.
- Share a list of mouth cancer symptoms.
- mouth and lip sores that don’t heal
- mouth, ear, and neck pain
- oral growths
- loose teeth
- white or reddish patches inside the mouth
- painful swallowing
- tongue numbness
- voice changes
- neck lumps
- sudden weight loss
- chronic bad breath
- Post text: “54,000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year. Survival rates are greatly improved if dental professionals detect the disease early. Tobacco use is still a substantial risk factor, but a growing number of healthy non-smokers are at risk due to the spread of HPV (human papillomavirus). The best way to protect yourself from mouth cancer is with a routine screening at your next dental appointment.”
- Use oral/mouth cancer hashtags and the following: #aprilcancerawareness #aprilcancerawarenessmonth #cancermonth #oralcancerawarenessmonth #oralcancermonth
- Share one of the graphics below.
National Diabetes Month
Over 30 million people in the United States struggle with diabetes. In November, we recognize the physical and financial burden of this disease and promote content that encourages healthy lifestyle changes, which lead to improved quality of life. Dental patients with diabetes are at increased risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. Create content that educates about this disease and provides actionable ways to optimize health.
- Create an informative video about diabetes and gum periodontal disease. Explain how diabetes slows healing and increases the risk of infection, bad breath, and tooth loss.
- Share an infographic about the consequences of dry mouth, a condition that is often associated with diabetes. Be sure to explain how smoking worsens this condition.
- Focus on simple ways that people with diabetes can maintain optimal oral health.
- Brush twice daily and floss.
- Get blood sugar levels under control.
- Quit smoking.
- Visit your dentist for routine check-ups.
- Notify your dentist about mouth sores.
- Provide a link to the American Diabetes Association’s oral health recommendations.
- Post text: “Over 30 million people in the United States struggle with diabetes. This disease increases the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay—so proper oral hygiene is especially important!”
- Use the following hashtags: #diabetes #diabetesawareness #diabetescare #diabetescommunity #diabetescontrol #diabetesday #diabetesdiet #diabetesfood #diabeteslife #diabetesmanagement #diabetesmellitus #diabetesmonth #diabetessupport #nationaldiabetesmonth #worlddiabetesday
- Share the graphic below.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month began as Lung Cancer Awareness Day in 1995. Support for awareness and early detection grew into a movement that eventually encompassed the entire month of November.
- Share some lung cancer statistics.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
- 218,000 of lung cancer are diagnosed each year.
- 149,000 die of lung cancer every year.
- Lung cancer has a 90% survival rate if detected early.
- Create posts that focus on prevention.
- Don’t smoke. 90% of all lung cancers are related to smoking. Some studies suggest that vaping may also cause cancer.
- Avoid secondhand smoke, which increase the risk of lung cancer by 20-30%.
- Test your home for radon, a radioactive gas that leaks from rocks and soil and has no color, smell, or taste. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States.
- Get screened for lung cancer, especially if you’re a smoker or former smoker.
- Share a donation link to the American Lung Association. This organization funds new research and treatments, as well as screenings and preventative education.
- Post text: “Lung Cancer Awareness Month began as Lung Cancer Awareness Day in 1995. Support for awareness and early detection grew into a movement that eventually encompassed the entire month of November. Thankfully, lung cancer has a 90% survival rate if diagnosed early—this is why screenings are critical!”
- Use the following hashtags: #lungcancer #lungcancerawareness #lungcancerawarenessmonth #lungcancerresearch #lungcancerscreening #lungcancersurvivor
- Share the graphic below.
National Adoption Month
Adoption helps so many children lead happy, healthy lives. November is a time to spread awareness and highlight the ways that “forever families” impact our society in a positive way.
- Share some history: National Adoption Month began in 1976 when the governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, made the first week of November “Adoption Week.” In 1984, former president Gerald R. Ford made Adoption Week a national observance 1984, and President Bill Clinton was responsible for extending the event all month.
- Create a highlight post about an influential person who was adopted.
- Steve Jobs
- Faith Hill
- Ray Liotta
- Link to and support local adoption initiatives.
- Post text: “Adoption helps so many children lead happy, healthy lives. November is a time to spread awareness and highlight the ways that “forever families” impact our society in a positive way. How have you seen adoption change lives? Please share your thoughts in the comments.”
- Use the following hashtags: #adoption #adoptionawareness #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptionmonth #adoptionrocks #foreverfamily #nationaladoptionmonth
National Brush Day (November 1)
Your 2024 November social media calendar is an excellent time to review basic oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth two times a day for two minutes removes the plaque that causes tooth decay. Reinforce the importance of routine oral hygiene!
- Make a short video demonstrating proper brushing techniques.
- Deliver branded toothbrushes to local businesses.
- Raffle off an electric toothbrush.
- Provide some advice for parents who are teaching their kids about good oral hygiene.
- Post text: “Brushing your teeth two times a day for two minutes removes the plaque that causes tooth decay—it’s so important to maintain routine oral hygiene!”
- Use brushing teeth hashtags and oral hygiene hashtags in your posts and also the following: #brushdaily #brushday #nationalbrushday #nationalbrushday2024 #toothbrush #toothbrushes
- Share one of the videos below.
National Play Outside Day (November 2)
In our modern world, more time is spent indoors behind a screen. Play Outside Day is a good time to remind your followers that spending time outside is fun and that it also improves overall wellness.
- Ask your followers to share fun activities they enjoy outdoors.
- List the benefits of spending time outside.
- reduces stress
- improves the immune system
- promotes a sense of well-being
- encourages exercise
- Take your staff on a picnic lunch to a nearby park and throw a frisbee around. (Get some creative pictures for social media.)
- Share an article about the dangers of spending too much time inside with technology.
- Post text: “In our modern world, much time is spent indoors behind a screen. Play Outside Day is a good time to set the technology aside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Studies have shown that time spent outside lowers stress and improves overall wellness! What are some things that you enjoy doing outside? Please share in the comments.”
- Use the following hashtags: #getoutside #gooutside #optoutside #outside #outsideculture #outsideisfree #outsidelife #outsideliving #play #playoutside #playoutsidemore #playoutsideday
- Share one of the graphics or the video below.
Daylight Saving Day (November 3)
Don’t forget to include Daylight Saving Day on your 2024 November social media calendar. Your followers will appreciate the reminder and the extra hour. (Set clocks 1 hour back at 2 a.m.)
- Ask your followers what they plan to do with their “extra” hour.
- Share an article about the origin and history of Daylight Saving Day.
- Post a funny meme or cartoon about Daylight Saving Day.
- Find an interesting piece of trivia to share about Daylight Saving Day.
- Post text: “It’s Daylight Saving Day—don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour! What are you planning to do with your extra hour?”
- Use the following hashtags: #daylightsaving #daylightsavings #daylightsavingstime #setyourclockback #setyourclocksback #turnyourclockback #turnyourclocksback
- Share one of the graphics or video below.
National Stress Awareness Day (November 6)
Stress can negatively impact oral health. Teeth grinding, periodontal disease, and dry mouth are all symptoms of stress that cause tooth decay.
- Give away monogrammed stress balls to patients and get some fun pictures for social media.
- Share an article about stress and oral health.
- Post a list of activities that lower stress.
- exercising
- spending time in nature
- eating healthy
- sleeping well
- laughter
- Share a funny dental joke and explain how laughter relieves stress.
- Post text: “Stress can negatively impact oral health. Teeth grinding, periodontal disease, and dry mouth are all symptoms of stress that cause tooth decay. Find ways to lower your stress and improve your oral health. Better oral health leads to whole body wellness.”
- Use the following hashtags: #nationalstressawareness #nationalstressawarenessday #nostress #nostresszone #reducestress #reducestressandanxiety #reducestresslevels #reducestressnaturally #stress #stressawareness #stressawarenessday #stressday #stresstreatment
- Share the graphic below.
Veterans Day (November 11)
Veterans Day is a time to remember those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Feature staff members who have served in the military with a picture and short military bio.
- Ask some veteran patients if you can honor their service with social media posts.
- Post a patriotic video or image that thanks veterans for their service.
- Put up an American flag outside the office.
- Post text: “On Veterans Day, we remember and thank all those who have protected our freedom by serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.”
- Use the following hashtags: #supportourveterans #usveterans #veterans #veteranscomefirst #veteransday #veteransdayus #veteransday2024 #veteransfirst #veteranshelpingveterans #veteranstrong #veteransunited #veteransupport #veteransusa #veterans4veterans
- Share one of the graphics or video below.
World Kindness Day (November 13)
This day is about spreading kindness and lifting spirits.
- Post a list of small things your followers can do to express kindness to others.
- Tell management about employees who provide excellent service.
- Give away an item to someone in need.
- Hold doors open.
- Express your appreciation.
- Share an article about an act of kindness that changed a life.
- Ask your followers to share kindness ideas, ways that people can bring happiness into someone’s life.
- Briefly outline the history of World Kindness Day.
- Post text: “It can seem like kindness is in short supply in our modern, fast-paced world. Today is a good time to reflect on the positive impact of kindness on others. How can you inspire another person today with the power of kindness?”
- Use the following hashtags: #choosekindness #kindness #kindnessalways #kindnesscounts #kindnessiscontagious #kindnessiseverything #kindnessisfree #kindnessismagic #kindnessmatters #kindnessrocks #spreadkindness #worldkindness #worldkindnessday #worldkindnessday2024
- Share the graphic or video below.
World Diabetes Day (November 14)
Diabetes affects many people worldwide; your 2024 November social media calendar should include information about how this disease impacts oral health.
- Share an article about the effect of diabetes on oral health.
- Record a short video about daily habits that help people with diabetes optimize their oral health.
- Provide links to websites that specialize in diabetes management.
- Explain how your office adapts treatment for diabetic patients.
- Post text: “Diabetes affects many people worldwide, so it’s important to understand how this disease impacts oral health.”
- Use the following hashtags: #diabetes #diabetesawareness #diabetescare #diabetescommunity #diabetescontrol #diabetesday #diabetesdiet #diabetesfood #diabeteslife #diabetesmanagement #diabetesmellitus #diabetessupport #worlddiabetesday
- Share the graphic below.
National Recycling Day (November 15)
Today is a good time to recognize recycling as an excellent way to promote conservation.
- Share the history of recycling.
- Ask followers how they implement recycling in their own lives.
- Post an infographic that details the benefits of recycling.
- Share how your office contributes to recycling efforts.
- Post text: “On National Recycling Day, we can think about ways to clean up our environment and live more sustainably. How do your family follow the three Rs of recycling: reduce, reuse, and recycle?”
- Use the following hashtags: #conservation #nationalrecyclingday #recycle #recycleeverything #recycled #recycling #recyclingday #reducereuserecycle #reuserecycle
- Share one of the graphics below.
Great American Smokeout (November 21)
The Great American Smokeout is a challenge to smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours—hopefully encouraging them to quit altogether!
- Share an article about how smoking negatively impacts oral health.
- Provide links to quit-smoking resource pages.
- Have the doctor record a short video about smoking and how it impacts oral health.
- Create a post about oral cancer and the importance of routine screenings.
- Post text: “The Great American Smokeout is a challenge to smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours—hopefully encouraging them to quit altogether! Smoking harms oral health, causing loose teeth, periodontal disease, stains, and oral cancer. It’s time to quit!”
- Use no smoking hashtags in your posts and the following: #americansmokeout #greatamericansmokeout #smokeout
- Share the graphic or one of the videos below.
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day (November 24)
An effective 2024 November social media calendar should provide opportunities for followers to engage with your content. Many people have hidden and unique talents; today is an excellent time to share them.
- Have staff members share their unique talents in a video post.
- Share a video about a unique talent.
- Ask followers to share their unique talents.
- Share the unique talents of historical figures and celebrities.
- Abraham Lincoln was a licensed and skilled bartender.
- Margot Robbie is a tattoo artist.
- Jimmy Stewart was a fighter ace in World War II.
- Paul Revere studied teeth and invented forensic dentistry.
- Al Capone wrote love ballads.
- Condoleezza Rice is a concert pianist.
- George Washington was an exceptional ballroom dancer.
- Post text: “Everyone has some special ability. What are you really good at? Today is a time to think about what makes you special and what you excel at.”
- Use the following hashtags: #celebrateyouruniquetalentday #mytalent #mytalentedfriend #mytalents #showyourtalent #talent #talentday #talented #talentedkids #talents #talentsday #talentshow #uniquetalentday #whatsyourtalent #yourtalent
- Share the graphic or video below.
Thanksgiving (November 28)
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and share a special meal. It’s also a time to express thanks for all the blessings in our lives, like a great dental team and the best patients. Celebrate the holiday with positive messages and appreciation.
- Share the history of Thanksgiving.
- Plan a Thanksgiving lunch for your staff and post pictures on social media.
- Ask followers what they are most thankful for.
- Decorate the office with fall/Thanksgiving decorations.
- Have staff share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes.
- Post text: “Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and share a special meal. It’s also a time to express thanks for all the blessings in our lives, like a great dental team and the best patients! What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?”
- Use the following hashtags: #family #holidays #bethankful #bethankfulalways #bethankfuleveryday #memories #thanksgiving #thanksgivingday #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingtable #thanksgiving2024
- Share the graphic below.
Flossing Day (November 29)
Flossing is an essential part of good oral hygiene. Today is a good time to remind your followers to floss regularly—it can actually add years to their lives!
- Record a short video about proper flossing techniques. This would be a great time to get hygienists and dental assistants on camera.
- Post a short survey question: What is your favorite type of floss?
- string floss
- flossers
- water flosser
- Publish a blog post about the importance of daily flossing.
- Send an email to your patient base, reminding them to floss regularly.
- Share some statistics about the benefits of flossing:
- removes plaque below the gum line
- reduces cavity risk
- helps to prevent periodontitis (gum disease)
- promotes fresh breath
- improves heart health
- removes tartar and whitens teeth
- helps to avoid costly dental procedures
- Create a post about the history of dental floss.
- Give away floss gift bags to local businesses.
- Post text: “Flossing cleans between teeth and helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease—it’s a critical part of good oral hygiene, and it can add years to your life!”
- Use flossing hashtags in your posts and the following: #flossday #flossingday
- Share the graphic or one of the videos below.
Giving Tuesday (December 3)
Giving Tuesday is an important part of your 2024 November social media calendar. It’s time to consider charitable giving and helping those in need.
- Collect non-perishable food items throughout the month of November and deliver them to a local food pantry.
- Ask followers to suggest important charities to support.
- Assemble links to reputable local charities and causes that improve the lives of those in your community.
- Create a giving campaign and set a goal. Pick a charity (perhaps a healthcare/dental charity) and consider matching total donations up to a point.
- Share some examples of charitable giving in our world today, simple ways that people can show support and lift one another up.
- Donate food.
- Volunteer your time.
- Express kind words.
- Donate money.
- Support local businesses.
- Give blood.
- Post text: “Giving Tuesday is a time to consider charitable giving and helping those in need. Can you recommend any local charities to support? Please share them in the comments.”
- Use the following hashtags: #giver #givers #giving #givingaway #givingback #givingseason #givingtuesday #givingtuesday2024 #helpothers #helpthoseinneed #thinkofothers
- Share the graphic or video below.
