[Updated for 2026]

Are you ready to celebrate all the national holidays in your dental office this year?

National dental holidays are a fun and easy way for dental offices to engage patients, recognize staff, and build a positive workplace culture.

Below is a month-by-month list of national dental holidays and awareness days to celebrate in 2026, along with ideas dental offices can use throughout the year. 

So let's dive into what 2026 could bring to your office by exploring the national dental holidays (and a few world ones thrown in for good measure).

January

Medical Group Practice Week is an annual celebration dedicated to recognizing the collaborative efforts and achievements of group practice medical professionals.

During this week-long celebration, healthcare teams across the nation are honored for their commitment to providing comprehensive and coordinated patient care.

It's an opportunity for medical groups to engage in team-building activities, share best practices, and highlight their contributions to the community's health. Educational events, workshops, and seminars are often organized to enhance skills and promote the latest advancements in medical group practice.

This week not only celebrates the successes of these dedicated teams but also raises awareness about the importance of collaborative healthcare in improving patient outcomes.

Medical Group Practice Week is celebrated on the 4th Monday in January, which is January 26. 2026 this year.

February

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Kick off the month by focusing on the littlest smiles. Share this brushing calendar with your patients, courtesy of the ADA. Hand out tooth-shaped stickers, and maybe even have a visit from the Tooth Fairy herself.

It's all about encouraging good dental habits early on!

Gum Disease Awareness Month also falls in February in an effort to raise public awareness about gum disease.

This month-long campaign focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, and you may celebrate it in your dental office by encouraging patients to adopt better oral hygiene practices and to seek regular dental check-ups.

Toothache Day – February 9
A lighthearted day that can be used to remind patients about the importance of preventive dental care.

Tooth Fairy Day – February 28
A fun way to engage pediatric patients and parents, especially on social media.

March

Dental Assistants Recognition Week is maybe one of the most important holiday weeks in March. Second only to Employee Appreciation Day, which falls on the first Friday in March, which happens to be March 7, 2025. Dental Assistant Recognition Week comes the same week, March 2-8, 2024.

Dental Assistants Recognition Week
Observed during the first whole week of March, this week recognizes the hard work and contributions of dental assistants.

National Dentist’s Day – March 6
A day to celebrate dentists and their commitment to patient care.

World Oral Health Day – March 20
An international awareness day focused on the importance of oral health and hygiene worldwide.

One other holiday in March that may be relevant to your dental office includes National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week (March 1-7, 2025). Who will you share your appreciation with?

April

National Dental Hygienist Week is celebrated April 12-18, 2026. It's a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work of your hygiene staff!

April is also National Facial Protection Month, sponsored by the Academy for Sports Dentistry. As sports start to ramp up this Spring, remind your patients about the importance of protecting their smiles.

May

May has some special holidays, including World Hand Hygiene Day on Tuesday May 5. Here are a few more:

National Receptionist Day – May 12
An opportunity to recognize front desk and administrative team members who help keep dental offices running smoothly.

Root Canal Awareness Week / Root Canal Day
These observances are often used to educate patients and address common misconceptions about root canal treatment. 

• Root Canal Awareness Week (May 10-16, 2026)
• Root Canal Day (May 13, 2026)

Smile Month
May is commonly associated with smiling and overall wellness, making it a natural fit for positive dental messaging.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.

June 

We know it's a bit ironic, but June is National Candy Month. Again, maybe a little ironically, the month wraps up with National Toothbrush Day on June 26th! 

June is also Dental Diversity Month. Read more about diversity and inclusion at the ADA.

July

National Fresh Breath Day is celebrated Thursday August 6, 2026. Rockland Dental Specialists have some suggestions for celebrating.

August

It's uncertain which is more legit, the February National Tooth Fairy Day, or the one that happens August 22, 2026. Some people suggested that there are two becuase the ADA recommends two annual teeth cleanings.

September

Don't forget your office manager this September, since it's National Office Manager Appreciation Month.

September is also National Gum Care Month, a great time to focus on the health of your patient's gums. Educate patients about gum disease and its prevention. You could also offer discounted periodontal cleanings or free gum health assessments.

Our friends over at Woodyard Dental Care offer some great tips for taking care of gums.

October

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. This is a great time to show your appreciation as well as feature your hygienists. For example, you might host an 'Ask the Hygienist' session on Facebook where patients can ask your hygienists anything that's on their minds.

Start your month with a smile by celebrating World Smile Day on October 4, 2026. 

October 15th, 2026 is Global Handwashing Day. Then celebrate your boss the next day on Boss's Day on October 16th, 2026!

November

Our friends at the TMJ Association help raise awareness and research funding for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ) through TMJ Awareness Month every November. Use a hashtag: #TMJAwareness #NovemberTMJAwareness #TMJAwarenessMonth #LifeWithTMJ #ChangingTheFaceOfTMJ

Not that we're recommending you celebrate it, but National Candy Day is November 4, 2025. Doesn't make so much sense that National Brush Day would be November 1, 2025, but there it is. You'd think someone would have suggested the day after National Candy Day...

Mouth Cancer Action Month is November 1 through November 30, 2026. See more about that at the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

December

Aren't there enough holidays in December already? Beside the obvious (Dental Christmas),

December is Hand Washing Awareness Month. Great for staff and patients alike!

It's also a good time to reflect on the year, celebrate your team, and share end-of-year oral health tips with patients.

How Dental Offices Use These Holidays in Marketing

Many dental offices use these holidays for more than just marking a calendar.

They’re often built into social media plans, patient education efforts, and team appreciation initiatives throughout the year.

Best Dental Holidays for Social Media

Some holidays naturally lend themselves to fun, engaging posts and patient-friendly content:

• Tooth Fairy Day
• National Dentist’s Day
• World Oral Health Day
• National Brush Day

These dates work well for short educational posts, team photos, and lighthearted reminders.

Best Dental Holidays for Staff Appreciation

Dental holidays also provide built-in opportunities to recognize your team:

• Dental Assistants Recognition Week
• Dental Hygienist Week
• Office Manager Appreciation Month
• National Receptionist Day

Recognizing staff can help boost morale, support retention, and reinforce a positive workplace culture.

Best Dental Holidays for Patient Education

Other observances are especially helpful for preventive care and patient education:

• National Children’s Dental Health Month
• National Gum Care Month
• Mouth Cancer Action Month
• National Toothbrush Day

These holidays pair well with educational materials, appointment reminders, and in-office conversations.

Here's to a year of fun-filled dental celebrations!

What's your favorite dental holiday? Let us know on Instagram!

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