Suctember for Dentistry

September is here, and for many private practices it feels like the suction is on full blast — patient flow slows down, collections dip, and the team is trying to find its rhythm again after summer. I call it Suctember.

But here’s the thing: while September can feel like a drag, it’s actually one of the best months to pause, reset, and get organized before the end-of-the-year sprint.

Why September Matters

Historically, September is one of the slower months for private practices. Kids are back in school, families are done with vacations, and patients push off treatment until October or November when insurance benefits start running out.

For a practice owner, this means:

• Lower production compared to the summer months
  
• Supply orders get irregular (either overstock or last-minute scrambles)
  
• Team momentum dips a little
  

The upside? You finally get time to clean up the stuff you usually push aside.

The Suctember Checklist

Here’s how I’d look at September if I were running a practice day-to-day:

1. Inventory & Supplies

• Walk through your storage areas — toss the expired stuff, return what you can, and see what’s been sitting untouched.
  
• Streamline ordering. If you’re still on spreadsheets, this is the month to move to something like ZenOne with QR codes and price comparisons built in.
  
• Use the slowdown to negotiate pricing or look into joining a GPO like Catapult, SourceClub, or Synergy.
  

2. Financial Health

• Check your supply spend vs. collections. Are you closer to 9% or closer to 4–5%? (That gap is real money).
  
• Reset your budget for Q4. Small tweaks now can save you headaches in December.
  
• If you’re struggling with AR, explore tools like Abella or Dental Intel add-ons that help collect faster.
  

3. Technology & Integrations

• Connect your practice management system (OpenDental, Archy, Oryx) with inventory and accounting if you haven’t yet.
  
• Review your data flow. Is everything still living in silos? September is a good time to fix that.
  
• Keep an eye on AI solutions moving fast: Pearl for radiographs, DentalBee.ai, Dentin.ai, Visio360. They’re all tackling real-world problems.
  

4. Team & Training

• Use the slower schedule to invest in CE. If you’re not sure where to start, join our “Cutting Supply Costs Without Compromise” series — it’s real tactics you can apply the next day.
  
• Retrain your team on supply ordering, returns, and how to rotate stock. These small habits save thousands over the year.
  
• If you have a lead DA or office manager handling supplies, give them incentives tied to efficiency.
  

5. Patient Flow Preparation

• Go through unscheduled treatment plans — this is the time to get patients booked before their benefits reset in January.
  
• Prep your year-end campaigns around “Don’t lose your insurance benefits.”
  
• Look into companies like Kleer for membership plans or CareCredit for financing — patients say yes more often when options are clear.
  

Turning Suctember Into Opportunity

Every practice feels the slowdown. The difference is in how you respond. You can let September suck… or you can use it as the month to:

• Reset your systems
  
• Strengthen your team
  
• Build momentum for Q4
  

At ZenOne, we think of Suctember as the hidden gift in the calendar — it’s the one time of year where you can breathe, organize, and get ready for the rush that’s coming.

Final Thought

Suctember doesn’t have to suck. With the right mindset and systems in place, it can be the launchpad for your strongest quarter yet.

Stay Zen,
Tiger