Quite unbelievably we have reached the time of year when we start discussing all things festive. For those of us in the dental practice, this is a busy period with lots of last-minute appointments filling the diary as people seek to address issues and improve their smiles ahead of the party season. However, this is also the lead-up to the temporal landmark that the holiday represents for so many people. This got me thinking… could we use this widespread expectation of change and renewed enthusiasm for health to benefit the nation’s dental wellbeing?
Festive psychology
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Yule, Kwanzaa or any other holiday in December, there is no denying the celebratory vibe at this time of year. The various festivities are associated with joy, which is associated with meaning, values and a sense of fulfilment. Joy is also often linked with other positive emotions like gratitude and love.[i]
The festivities also commonly include preparations for the New Year, which inevitably brings with it what psychologists refer to as the ‘fresh start effect’. The term is used to describe any temporal landmark that signifies a turning point in some measure of time. It is typically the end of one self and the beginning of another, with the New Year symbolising a new chapter in people’s lives.[ii] This is often the motivation for New Year resolutions, which people make in an effort to better themselves in some way – people could learn a new skill, increase a healthy habit in everyday life, or aim to achieve loftier professional goals. The intriguing question is whether we could utilise this change in mindset to elevate oral hygiene – and how we might affect this as dental professionals.
Shaping habits through gifting
Though conclusive evidence is not yet available, psychological concepts do suggest that the objects we own have an influence on our sense of self, our beliefs and our habits. Our possessions are an extension of us, meaning that they help to shape the person we are and want to become.[iii]
Taking this idea further, it is possible that one person could have an effect on another through a gift that offers a new experience or supports an existing passion. The literature also shows that gratitude is generally higher when receiving a gift that aligns with one’s values.[iv] This is unsurprising given that it would demonstrate a genuine interest in the person’s hobbies or lifestyle choices.
Consider a friend who is on a health-kick, who has taken up a new sport, or who is attempting to increase their personal sustainability. Gifting them a product that increases their systemic wellbeing, that supports physical performance or allows a simple swap to reduce everyday plastic will help them on their journey. The present shows respect for their endeavour, as well as offering practical support.
Something like an electric toothbrush, an oral health care kit or wooden interdental brushes with replacement brush heads would all be good options either alone or as part of a hamper. Such an idea is particularly good for young adults who are heading to university or moving into their own place, helping them with everyday routines as they establish their independence. Such objects are relatively inexpensive to buy, making them viable and convenient for all budgets.
An educational approach
Of course, I’m also not naïve enough to claim that a toothbrush will be every person’s dream come true as they unwrap their gift. However, there is an argument to be made that improving and maintaining our health is not a privilege afforded to everyone.
Part of being a dental professional in today’s world is educating patients on the life-changing impact that good oral health can have. Even the smallest and simplest adjustments to their daily oral hygiene routine can have a significant effect not only on the person’s risk for dental disease, but also systemic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Why wouldn’t a loved one be grateful to receive a gift that helps them achieve all this?
As such, the dental team’s role this festive season should very much focus on the sharing of relevant information. Advice on foods and drinks to consume in moderation throughout the party season is just the beginning – we want patients to appreciate the magnitude of high-quality oral hygiene year-round. If we can leverage the holiday season as a natural catalyst for change in attitudes and behaviours, why wouldn’t we use it for the good of our patients’ oral health?
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
[i] Roberts M, Appiah R. The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2025 Dec;20(1):2508946. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2025.2508946. Epub 2025 May 24. PMID: 40411311; PMCID: PMC12107667.
[ii] Faraci CM. The psychology of fresh starts: why do so many want to change in January? Centre for Anxiety and Behaviour Management. https://anxietyandbehaviornj.com/the-psychology-of-fresh-starts-why-do-so-many-want-to-change-in-january/ [Accessed August 2025]
[iii] Jarrett C. The psychology of stuff and things. August 2013. https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/psychology-stuff-and-things [Accessed August 2025]
[iv] Puente-Díaz R, Cavazos-Arroyo J. The consumption of experiential gifts is construed as more autonomy supportive and leads to greater gratitude, especially when they are given out of love. Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 12;14:1254789. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1254789. PMID: 38282855; PMCID: PMC10811146.
