More Weekend Smiles? A Look at the Trend of Extended Dental Hours

Hey there, Smile Source community! We've been hearing some buzz lately about more independent dentists opening their doors on Fridays and even weekends. Is it just a rumor? Or is it a real shift happening across the industry? We’d like your feedback to know if you have extended your hours and how it is impacting your private dental practice. Email us to let us know your thoughts.

On the face of it, it makes a lot of sense. Right?

For a long time, private dental offices have run on a pretty standard Monday-Thursday 8:00 or 9:00 am to 4:00 or 5:00 pm schedule. But with today's hectic lifestyles, that model just doesn't work for everyone anymore. 

Patients are demanding more convenience (and the numbers prove it).

For most people, getting to the dentist during a typical workweek can feel like a mission. Patients are juggling careers, family, and a million other things. Offering Friday and weekend appointments isn't just a nice-to-have; it’s a direct solution to a major problem.

Studies, including those by the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute (ADA HPI) and NRC Health, consistently show that patients highly value convenience and access to care. Specifically, they report that a lack of convenient appointment times is a major reason people put off dental work and that patients are increasingly willing to switch providers for a better, more accessible experience. 

By opening up your schedule, you're not just offering another appointment slot; you're making life easier for your patients by:

• Minimizing Work and School Disruptions: Patients don't have to use a vacation day or pull their kids out of class for a routine cleaning or check-up.
• Fitting into Busy Lives: For many, the weekend is the only time they can truly dedicate themselves to appointments without feeling rushed.
• Being There for Emergencies: Dental emergencies don't stick to a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Having weekend availability shows you're committed to their well-being, anytime.
• Simplifying Family Appointments: It's much easier for families to get everyone's appointments done at once on a Saturday morning than trying to juggle multiple weekday slots.

Beyond just being a convenience, offering weekend hours can be a powerful business move. 

Unlike many traditional, privately owned dental offices, DSOs are structured to prioritize efficiency, patient volume, and accessibility. This often includes offering extended hours, which is a major draw for modern patients. If you are competing with local DSO practices for new patients and patient retention, more accessible hours may be the primary reason.

Look at your numbers. Do you have new patients waiting days for appointments and patients not moving forward to schedule their next appointment? Are patients leaving your practice for a nearby alternative? What feedback does your team hear as they attempt to schedule callers and patients in the chair? Assess for yourself whether extending your hours would present a small or large opportunity to:

• Attract new patients 
• Boosting production 
• Standing out from the crowd 
• Retain patients 

Now, let's be real. 

Extending your hours isn't just about unlocking the doors and flipping on the lights. It takes smart planning.

• Staffing: Making sure your team is on board and that you have the necessary staff in place for the new hours. Often, team members relish the opportunity to work more hours and/or flex their schedule. A new schedule—perhaps 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday–Friday, and Saturday 8:00 AM to noon can be a great way to serve more patients without sacrificing your and your team’s own well-being.
• Operational Costs: It's important to look at the numbers and see how opening on a Friday or Saturday impacts your overhead. 
• Getting the Word Out: People will need to know your new hours, so plan to shout it from your front desk, social media pages, website, patient newsletter, on-hold messaging, and appointment reminders.

Should you do this?

The trend of dentists extending their hours seems here to stay, and it's being driven by not only oral health consumers but also DSO competition. By carefully listening to the needs of your patients and prospective new patient callers—and using data to make smart decisions, you can decide if this would be a strategic move that not only grows your practice but also makes a real difference in your community.