How to Bring Back Inactive Dental Patients
The short version
Most inactive dental patients didn't leave deliberately. A reactivation text to 12+ month inactive patients recovers 8-12%. On 400 inactive patients: 32-48 returned at $500/year = $16,000-24,000 recovered.
300-500 inactive patients in the PMS. Most didn't leave deliberately.
The text: "Hi Sarah — it's been a while. Your cleaning and checkup are overdue, and we'd love to see you again. We have openings this month."
Recovery: 8-12%. On 400 inactive: 32-48 patients × $500 = $16,000-24,000.
Trikkl for dentists flags patients crossing the 12-month threshold automatically. At $15/month.
Written by Jordan Hayes, Trikkl. Updated May 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as inactive?+
No visit in 12+ months.
Why do they go inactive?+
Most forgot. Only 15-20% left due to negative experience.
When to send reactivation?+
At 12-month threshold. Best windows: January (fresh benefits) and October (year-end deadline).
What to say?+
'Hi Sarah — it's been a while since your last visit. Your cleaning is overdue. We have openings this month.' No guilt.
Should I offer a discount?+
Small incentive: 'free X-rays for returning patients.' Don't discount heavily.
Realistic rate?+
8-12%. Higher during insurance-benefit windows.
Written by
Jordan HayesField Operations Lead, Trikkl
Jordan spent eight years running a 12-truck landscaping company in the Pacific Northwest before joining Trikkl to help build tools for crews just like the one he used to run. He writes about the operational systems that separate growing lawn care businesses from stuck ones.
