10 smart tips to market your dental practice
Marketing your dental practice takes more than just getting your name out there. A successful dental practice uses marketing to ensure the right people know, trust, and choose you over the competition.
Dentists didn’t go to school to become marketing experts. But if you’re running a practice, you need to understand the impact of investing in marketing. Here’s a quick guide to marketing your dental practice in a way that brings in patients, builds trust, and grows your business.
1. Make your website work for you
Your website is your first impression. If it’s slow, outdated, or hard to navigate, potential patients will move on, fast.
Make sure it loads quickly and works on mobile.
Highlight location, services, and booking options on the homepage—patients shouldn’t have to dig for this info.
Offer online scheduling—not everyone wants to call.
Optimize for local SEO (use terms like best dentist in [your city] or emergency dentist near me).
2. Google Ads: A quick way to get more patients
If you want immediate visibility, Google Ads are your friend. Unlike social media ads, Google Ads target people who are already looking for a dentist.
To make them work:
Use high-intent local keywords (dentist near me, teeth whitening in [your city]).
Have a dedicated landing page for new patient inquiries.
Use click-to-call buttons—most people searching for a dentist just want to book an appointment, not read a blog post.
💡 Expert tip: If you don’t know what you’re doing, hire a marketing consultant. Google Ads can burn through your budget fast if you don’t set them up correctly.
3. Social Media: Get on a consistent posting cadence
You don’t need to be a full-time influencer. You just need to be visible, consistent, and engaging.
What actually works:
Patient testimonials and reviews (with permission, of course).
Behind-the-scenes content (meet the team, office updates, special milestones).
Educational posts (answer common dental questions in plain English).
Promotions and referral incentives.
💡 Expert tip: Pick one or two platforms (Facebook and Instagram work well for local businesses) and be consistent.Quality beats quantity.
4. Reviews can make or break you. Ask for more of them.
Over 80% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. If you’re not proactively asking for reviews, you’re leaving money on the table.
How to get more (and better) reviews:
Happy patients are more likely to leave a review when asked right after their visit.
Send a follow-up email or text with a direct link to leave a Google review.
Respond to every review, even the bad ones. A professional response shows you care.
💡 Expert tip: Never pay for reviews. Google will penalize you if they catch on.
5. Get local businesses to send you patients
Word-of-mouth doesn’t just come from patients—it comes from other businesses, too.
Partner with:
Orthodontists, pediatricians, and general practitioners.
Local gyms, wellness centers, or spas that serve a similar clientele.
Schools and parenting groups—offering free dental health presentations builds trust and exposure.
💡 Expert tip: A simple cross-promotion agreement (you refer patients to them, they do the same for you) is an easy, low-cost way to grow.
6. Email marketing is your secret weapon
Email is one of the easiest ways to keep your practice top of mind. A well-timed email can bring back patients who haven't scheduled a visit in a while. Capture emails after each appointment as well as via an email capture form on your website.
What to send:
Simple dental tips (ex: How often should you replace your toothbrush?).
Promotions or referral incentives.
Personalized birthday or anniversary emails.
Appointment reminders and check-up notices.
💡 Expert tip: Keep it short, useful, and skimmable.
7. Offer a membership plan for uninsured patients
Many people avoid the dentist because they don’t have insurance. Offering an in-house membership plan helps solve that problem while creating patient loyalty.
What to include:
Routine cleanings, discounted treatments, and emergency visits.
Clear, upfront pricing—patients need to see the value.
Different tiers for individuals, families, and seniors.
💡 Expert tip: Highlight savings in dollars, not percentages (ex: Save $200 per year vs. Save 20%—the first one is more compelling).
8. Get more referrals
Patients love referring friends and family, but only if you make it worth their while.
Create a simple referral program:
Offer a discount or credit on their next visit for every referred patient.
Promote it in-office, on social media, and in emails.
Make it easy. Patients should be able to refer someone in one step.
💡 Expert tip: Word-of-mouth is the cheapest and most effective marketing there is, so don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.
9. Track what’s working and what’s not
Marketing isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. If you’re not tracking what’s working, you’re probably wasting money.
What to track:
Website traffic (use Google Analytics).
New patient referrals (ask how they found you!).
Ad performance (Google Ads, Facebook Insights).
💡 Expert tip: If something isn’t working, stop doing it. Shift that budget into what is working.
10. Play the long game
Marketing is a long-term investment, not a quick fix. The key is consistency. Start with just two or three strategies from this list. Do them well, track results, and build from there.
And if you’re looking for expert guidance to market, scale, or transition your practice, Wicklow Healthcare Advisory is here to help. Reach out to info@getwicklow.com with any questions, and our team of experts will be in touch!
