13 Dentistry Marketing Strategies to Put Your Practice On The Map

Last updated: July 1st, 2024

When it comes to promoting your dental practice, it’s vital that you stand out amid the competition. With so many practices vying for attention in your area, having a solid dental marketing strategy is a huge priority if you want to stay on top.

This post will explore 13 advanced dental marketing ideas changing how dental services are promoted. From digital marketing improvements to getting involved in the community, we’ll see how these strategies are making a big difference in the field of dentistry marketing.

Boost Dental Growth

1) Make the Most of Your Google Business Profile and Reviews

When it comes to boosting your dental practice’s visibility and credibility, Google Business and reviews are non-negotiable tools in your marketing arsenal. Here’s how you can leverage them to make your practice shine:

Rank Higher on Google Maps

First, ensure your dental practice is listed on Google Maps. This is crucial because when potential patients search for a dentist, they often look for one close to home or work. Here’s how you can rank higher:

Optimize Your Google Business Profile: Ensure all your information is accurate and complete, including your address, phone number, and hours of operation.
Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords related to your services and location in your business description. For instance, if you’re a cosmetic dentist in New York, phrases like “cosmetic dentist in New York” should be part of your profile.
Encourage Check-ins and Reviews: The more interactions your profile has, the better. Ask happy patients to leave reviews and check in during their visit.
Look into Sponsored listings for Google Maps: If you’re doing paid ads on Google, qualifying dentists can promote their location on Google Maps to increase their visibility:

Add Social Profile Links to Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a static page; it’s a dynamic hub that should link to all your other online presences. Adding links to your social media profiles can significantly boost your SEO and give potential patients a fuller picture of your practice.

Update Your Profile: Go to your Google Business dashboard and add links to your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles.
Keep Social Profiles Active: Regularly post updates, share patient success stories, and engage with your audience. This activity shows that your practice is vibrant and engaged, which can be appealing to potential patients:

Get More Google Reviews than Your Competition

Google reviews are a powerful form of social proof. The more positive reviews you have, the more trustworthy your practice appears to potential patients. Aim to collect more reviews than your competitors to stand out.

Ask for Reviews: Don’t be shy to ask your patients to leave a review after their appointment. Make it easy by providing them with a direct link to your Google review page:

Automate the Process: Use software that automatically sends review requests via email or text after an appointment. We like GoReminders for its simplicity and automated features.
Offer Incentives: Consider small incentives, such as a discount on their next visit or entry into a raffle, for leaving a review.

Respond to Every Patient’s Google Review

Responding to reviews shows that you care about your patients’ feedback, whether positive or negative. It also signals potential patients that you’re engaged and committed to quality service.

Acknowledge Positive Reviews: A simple “Thank you for your kind words!” goes a long way in building a positive relationship.
Address Negative Reviews: Respond promptly and professionally. Acknowledge their concerns and offer a solution or invite them to discuss the issue offline.

(Image Source: Chicago Dental Studio, Google)

Collect Google Reviews

To keep the reviews coming, make it part of your routine to ask for them. This can be a game-changer in maintaining a steady flow of feedback.

Create a Review Strategy: Decide when and how you’ll ask for reviews, such as right after a successful treatment or during a follow-up call.
Train Your Staff: Ensure that everyone on your team understands the importance of reviews and knows how to ask for them effectively.
Make It Easy: Provide patients with a direct link to your review page or set up a tablet in your office where they can leave a review before they leave.

Key Takeaway: Leveraging your Google Business Profile and accumulating patient reviews can significantly enhance your dental practice’s online visibility and credibility, helping attract more potential patients.

2) Social Media Marketing For Your Dental Practice

Social media is a game-changer for dental practices. It’s a great way to connect with your community, showcase your work, and attract new patients. Here are some strategies to make the most of your social media presence.

Leverage Local Social Media Influencers

Partnering with local social media influencers can significantly boost your practice’s visibility. Influencers have a dedicated following and can provide authentic endorsements that resonate with their audience.

Look for influencers who focus on health, wellness, and lifestyle topics, as their followers are likely to be interested in dental care. A shoutout or a review from a local influencer can bring new patients to your practice.

Post to Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are a fantastic way to share engaging and informative content. Create short videos that showcase your practice, explain dental procedures, or share patient testimonials. These quick, eye-catching videos can help you reach a broader audience and keep your existing followers engaged.

Show Before and After Results: Highlight the transformations you achieve with cosmetic dentistry.
Provide Dental Tips: Share useful tips on oral hygiene, teeth whitening, or diet.
Feature Your Team: Introduce your staff to create a personal connection with your audience.

Use Instagram Threads

Instagram Threads, a messaging app linked to Instagram, allows for more intimate and direct communication with your followers.

You can use it to send updates, share exclusive content, or provide quick responses to patient inquiries. It’s a great way to build a closer relationship with your audience and offer them a more personalized experience:

Take Advantage of Dental Social Media Platforms

There are specific social media platforms dedicated to dental professionals, such as DentalTown and The Dental Peeps Network. These platforms are great for networking with other dentists, staying updated on industry trends, and participating in discussions.

They also provide opportunities to share your expertise and establish your practice as a leader in the dental community. Joining and actively participating in these platforms can help you stay ahead in the competitive dental market.

Key Takeaway: Effective social media marketing can boost your dental practice’s visibility and engagement. Utilizing local influencers, Instagram Reels, and specific dental social platforms can help reach and retain both prospective and existing patients.

3) Website and SEO

Your website is often the first impression prospective patients have of your dental practice, so making it appealing and easy to find is crucial. Here are some strategies to ensure your website is working effectively for you.

Update to a Modern Dental Website Design

A modern, user-friendly website design can significantly improve your patients’ experience. Your website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Key elements to consider include:

Clean Layout: Avoid clutter and make sure the important information is easily accessible.
High-Quality Images: Use professional photos of your office and staff to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Call-to-Action Buttons: Make it easy for visitors to book appointments, contact you, or find more information.

Investing in a professional website design can make a big difference in attracting and retaining patients.

Optimize Your Website for Technical SEO

Technical SEO ensures that your website meets the technical requirements of modern search engines, which can help improve organic rankings. Focus on the following aspects:

Site Speed: Ensure your website loads quickly to reduce bounce rates.
Mobile Optimization: Make sure your site looks and functions well on mobile devices.
Secure Site (HTTPS): Use HTTPS to ensure your website is secure, which is also favored by search engines.

Start a Dental Blog

Blogging is a great way to drive traffic to your website and establish your practice as an authority in the field. Much like with social media content placements, you can share informative content related to dental health, treatments, and patient care tips in a long-form format.

You can cover topics such as explaining standard dental procedures to educate your audience about the different treatments you offer. Providing practical advice on oral hygiene helps your readers maintain good oral health.

Additionally, sharing patient testimonials and success stories can build trust and credibility with your audience.

Bump Up Your SEO Rankings with a Blog Post Exchange

Collaborating with other dental professionals or related businesses to exchange blog posts can help boost your SEO rankings. By guest posting on each other’s blogs, you can reach a broader audience and create valuable backlinks to your website. This strategy not only improves your SEO but also builds relationships within the dental community.

Choose Relevant Partners: Partner with professionals whose services complement yours, like orthodontists or pediatric dentists.
Share Valuable Content: Ensure the exchanged content is informative and beneficial to both your audiences.

Key Takeaway: A modern dental website and optimized SEO are crucial for attracting and retaining patients. Investing in technical SEO, a dental blog, and collaborating on blog posts can boost your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site.

4) Video and Content Marketing

Video content is a powerful tool in dental marketing. It helps you connect with potential patients on a more personal level and can make complex information more accessible and engaging.

Leverage Video in Dental Marketing Campaigns

Incorporating video into your marketing campaigns can significantly enhance your reach and impact. Videos are highly shareable and can effectively showcase your practice’s personality and expertise.

Use video to introduce your team, highlight patient testimonials, or give a virtual tour of your office. This approach not only builds trust but also makes your practice more relatable and inviting.

Create Educational and Promotional Videos

Educational videos can demystify dental procedures and provide valuable information to your patients. These videos can cover a range of topics, from explaining the steps of a root canal to offering tips on maintaining good oral hygiene.

Promotional videos, on the other hand, can highlight special offers, new services, or community events. Both types of videos serve to inform and engage your audience, making them more likely to choose your practice for their dental needs.

Key Takeaway: Incorporating video and content marketing strategies, such as educational and promotional videos, can personalize your dental practice and effectively engage both potential and existing patients, making complex information more accessible and relatable.

5) Events and Community Engagement

Engaging with your community through events can significantly enhance your dental practice’s visibility and reputation. It allows you to build relationships and show your commitment to the community.

Attend the Digital Dental Marketing Conference

Attending industry conferences like the Digital Dental Marketing Conference can provide you with the latest insights and trends in dental marketing.

These events can offer a wealth of knowledge from experts and give you the opportunity to network with other professionals. You can learn new dental marketing strategies to improve your marketing efforts and stay ahead of the competition.

Attend or Sponsor Local Community Events

Getting involved in local community events is a great way to boost your practice’s profile. Whether you’re attending a health fair, sponsoring a local sports team, or participating in a charity run, these activities help you connect with potential patients in a meaningful way.

Sponsoring events also demonstrates that your practice cares about the community, which can enhance your reputation and attract more patients.

Host Fun Events

Hosting events at your practice can create a positive buzz and attract new patients. Consider organizing open houses, educational workshops, or family-friendly events like a dental-themed carnival. These events allow people to visit your practice in a relaxed, informal setting and get to know your team.

Open Houses: Invite the community to tour your practice, meet the staff, and learn about your services.
Workshops: Offer educational sessions on topics like oral hygiene or preventive care.
Family Events: Host fun activities for children and families to make dental visits less intimidating.

Donate Time to Local Charities

Donating your time and services to local charities is a wonderful way to give back to the community and enhance your practice’s image.

Consider partnering with organizations that provide dental care to underserved populations or participating in community health fairs. Your involvement not only helps those in need but also demonstrates your practice’s commitment to making a positive impact.

Key Takeaway: Active participation in community events and charitable activities can enhance your dental practice’s reputation and foster strong connections within the local community, attracting more patients and building trust.

6) Email and Direct Mail Marketing

Email and direct mail marketing are powerful tools for maintaining communication with your patients and reaching out to potential new ones. These methods allow you to share important information and promote your services directly.

Email Marketing and Newsletters

Email marketing is an effective way to keep your patients informed and engaged. Regular newsletters can provide valuable updates about your practice, dental health tips, and special promotions:

(Image Source: Pacific54)

Personalize your emails to make your patients feel valued and to encourage them to open and read your messages. Segmenting your email list allows you to target specific groups with relevant content, increasing the effectiveness of your campaigns.

Constant Contact is iconic for their industry-focused email marketing campaign layouts, one of which is intended for dental marketing.

Send Direct Mail, Especially to Elderly Patients

Direct mail can be a particularly effective way to reach elderly patients who may not be as comfortable with digital communication. Sending personalized letters, appointment reminders, or promotional postcards can help keep your practice top of mind.

Highlight special services like senior discounts or offer information on dental procedures that are more relevant to older adults.

This tangible form of communication can build trust and demonstrate that you care about all your patients, regardless of their preferred communication method.

Key Takeaway: Email and direct mail marketing are powerful tools for maintaining communication with patients and reaching potential new ones. Personalized and targeted messages can keep patients informed and engaged, ultimately boosting your practice’s visibility.

7) Online Advertising

Online advertising is essential for reaching a broader audience and attracting new patients to your dental practice. It allows you to target specific demographics and track the effectiveness of your campaigns.

Market through Google and Microsoft Ads

Google and Microsoft Ads are powerful platforms that can place your dental practice at the top of search results. Bidding on relevant keywords can ensure your practice appears when potential patients search for dental services in your area.

These ads can be tailored to target specific demographics, times of day, and even devices, making your advertising efforts highly efficient. Additionally, both platforms provide detailed analytics to help you measure the success of your campaigns and make necessary adjustments.

Advertise on Facebook, Instagram, and X

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) offer excellent opportunities for advertising. Each platform has unique features and strategies for maximizing your reach and engagement.

Facebook:

Patient Testimonials: Share success stories and testimonials from satisfied patients to build trust and credibility. Showing off your practice’s wins through the lens of your patients is one of the most powerful things you can do to encourage new prospective patients to try out your practice.
Educational Content: Post informative articles and videos on dental health topics to position your practice as an authority. People will take your practice more seriously if they see it as a leader in the industry and in their local area.
Community Engagement: Host live Q&A sessions to answer dental health questions and engage with your community directly. Try to weave a question into your posts to encourage engagement with your practice on social media.

The more you engage your audience on Facebook and other platforms, the more likely they’ll be to recall your brand when they need to book a new appointment. They may even be convinced to switch dental practices over to yours if they resonate with your brand better than their existing solution.

Instagram:

Smile Transformations: Post before-and-after photos of dental procedures (with patient consent) to showcase your work. If patient confidentiality is a concern, try only capturing images that don’t reveal your patients’ identities, such as close-up shots of their teeth.

(Image Source: dr.krayniy, Instagram)

Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share photos and videos of your dental office and team environment to create a welcoming image of your practice. Show off some of the technology you use and how your team works together to render top-quality service to its patients.
Interactive Stories: Use Instagram Stories to run polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions about dental health to engage followers. In a lot of cases, if you ask your audience about their dental routines, their answers may help them realize they should book an appointment to be seen by your practice.

X (formerly Twitter):

Dental Tips: Tweet short, actionable dental care tips to provide value to your followers.
Health Awareness Campaigns: Participate in national health awareness days and campaigns to increase visibility.
Promoted Tweets: Use paid promotions to boost tweets about special offers, new services, or important updates.

Key Takeaway: Utilizing online advertising platforms like Google Ads and social media can effectively target potential dental patients and track campaign success. Tailored ads on Facebook, Instagram, and X can enhance your practice’s reach and engagement.

8) Promotions and Giveaways

Promotions and giveaways are excellent strategies for attracting new patients and keeping existing ones engaged. They create excitement around your practice and incentivize people to choose your services.

Prize Package Giveaway Collaborations

Collaborating with local businesses for a prize package giveaway can help you reach a wider audience. Partner with nearby spas, gyms, or health food stores to create a valuable prize package that includes services from each business.

This not only boosts your visibility but also fosters community relationships. Promote the giveaway on your social media channels and encourage participants to follow your practice and your partners to enter.

Reach a New Audience with a Gift Card Giveaway

Gift card giveaways are an effective way to draw in potential new patients. Offer a chance to win a gift card for your dental services or for a popular local restaurant or store. This can attract individuals who might have yet to consider your practice. Promote the giveaway through your website, social media, and email newsletters to maximize participation.

Set Up a Referral Bonus System

Implementing a referral bonus system rewards your current patients for bringing in new ones. Offer incentives such as discounts on future services, free cleanings, or entry into a special raffle for every new patient they refer. This not only encourages your existing patients to spread the word about your practice but also helps build a loyal patient base.

Clear Incentives: Make sure the referral bonuses are attractive and clearly communicated to your patients.
Track Referrals: Use a simple system to track and reward referrals, ensuring everyone who participates feels valued.
Promote the Program: Regularly remind your patients about the referral program through email newsletters, social media, and in-office signage.

Key Takeaway: Implementing promotions and giveaways, such as prize package collaborations and referral bonus systems, can attract new patients and keep existing ones engaged, creating excitement around your dental practice.

9) AI and Technology Integration

Integrating AI and advanced technology into your marketing strategy can streamline your operations and enhance patient interactions. Embracing these tools can set your dental practice apart and improve overall efficiency.

Get Comfortable Using AI in Your Marketing

AI can revolutionize your marketing efforts by providing data-driven insights and automating tasks. Start by using AI tools to analyze patient data and understand trends, helping you create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.

AI can also assist in optimizing your ad spend, identifying the best times to post on social media, and predicting patient needs and preferences.

Implement AI Chatbots for Patient Interaction

AI chatbots can significantly enhance patient interaction by providing immediate responses to inquiries, scheduling appointments, and offering basic information about services. These chatbots can be available 24/7, ensuring that patients can reach out anytime, even outside office hours.

And on top of creating a much more homogenous and accessible user experience, they can also free up a ton of time for your administrative staff. Take it from Klarna, who was able to slash their average customer service tickets from 11 minutes down to 2 minutes, all with the help of an AI chatbot:

Here’s a fuller picture of how AI chatbots can help your dental practice:

Appointment Scheduling: AI chatbots can handle booking and rescheduling appointments, reducing the workload for your administrative staff.
Answering FAQs: Common questions about procedures, insurance, and office hours can be answered instantly, improving patient satisfaction.
Personalized Responses: Advanced chatbots can use patient data to provide more personalized interactions, making patients feel valued and understood.

Key Takeaway: Integrating AI and advanced technology into your dental practice can streamline operations and enhance patient interactions. Utilizing AI in marketing efforts and implementing AI chatbots can improve efficiency and patient satisfaction.

10) Reputation Management For Your Dentist’s Office

Maintaining a strong online reputation is crucial for the success of your dental practice. Effective reputation management helps build trust and attract new patients by ensuring your practice is well-regarded across various platforms.

Monitor and Respond to Online Reviews

As we mentioned in the first strategy, online reviews can significantly influence potential patients’ decisions. Regularly monitor reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and social media to stay aware of what patients are saying about your practice.

Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value patient feedback and are committed to providing excellent service.

Manage Your Online Presence Across Multiple Platforms

A consistent and professional online presence across various platforms is key to building and maintaining a strong reputation. Ensure that your practice’s information is accurate and up-to-date on your website, social media profiles, and directories. Regularly post engaging content and interact with your audience to keep your practice top-of-mind.

Use Net Promoter Score to Highlight Your Practice

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is an excellent method for gauging patient satisfaction and loyalty. By asking patients how likely they are to recommend your practice to others on a scale of 0-10, you can identify promoters, passives, and detractors:

(Image Source: Mtab)

Identify Promoters: Patients who score 9-10 are your promoters. Engage with them to leverage their positive experiences for testimonials and referrals.
Address Concerns of Detractors: Patients who score 0-6 are detractors. Follow up with them to understand their issues and improve their experience.
Improve Overall Patient Experience: Use the feedback from your NPS surveys to make informed changes to your practice, enhancing overall patient satisfaction.

Qualtrics and SurveyMonkey are great places to start when it comes to collecting feedback for your NPS score.

Once you get a favorable score, you can place it in your marketing channels, on your website, and anywhere else your brand has the presence to give more people a bird’s eye view of how your patients think about your brand.

Key Takeaway: Effective reputation management through monitoring and responding to online reviews, managing your online presence, and using Net Promoter Score (NPS) can build trust and attract new patients, ensuring your practice is well-regarded across various platforms.

11) Competitive Analysis

A common dilemma for dental practices is deciding between SEO and paid advertising. Each channel serves a unique purpose at different stages of the marketing funnel.

SEO and content marketing are excellent for enhancing visibility and building trust, while social media advertising allows for targeted outreach and boosts brand awareness.

For instance, paid ads offer an immediate increase in traffic and the ability to target high-intent dental patients. However, paid ads often have a steep learning curve and can be costly.

Ideally, a balanced approach that leverages all channels throughout the customer journey is most effective.

Understanding what your competition is using to access prospective patients at different stages of the sales funnel is essential for creating an effective dental marketing strategy.

Analyzing what other dental practices are doing can help you identify opportunities to differentiate your practice and attract more patients.

You can simply observe what they are doing by looking at all of their placements.

Are they on social media?

Are they ranking high organically on search engines?

What about paid ads?

You can also use tools like SEMRush or Ubersuggest to view the domain overview of your competitors to see how well their SEO efforts are doing:

Run Competitive Dental Marketing Campaigns

To stand out in a competitive market, it’s important to keep an eye on your competitors’ marketing efforts.

Analyze their campaigns to see what works and what doesn’t, and then create strategies that set your practice apart.

Identify Competitor Strengths and Weaknesses: Look at the areas where your competitors excel and where they fall short. This can help you understand what patients in your area value and what they feel needs to be improved.
Differentiate Your Practice: Highlight what makes your practice unique. Whether it’s advanced technology, exceptional patient care, or specialized services not offered anywhere else, make sure your marketing communicates why someone should choose your dental office over another.
Track Competitor Promotions: Stay informed about the promotions and offers your competitors are running. This will allow you to craft compelling offers that can attract their patients to your practice.

Know Which Marketing Channels Reach Dental Patients

Not all marketing channels are equally effective in reaching dental patients.

At the same time, no single channel is better than the other. Understanding where your target audience spends their time can help you allocate your marketing budget more effectively.

It might seem like a clear solution as to which marketing channel will be the best for your practice, but the truth is that you should experiment with all types of marketing, from email marketing to paid ads, to SEO, to encouraging word-of-mouth referrals, and so on.

Key Takeaway: Conducting thorough competitive analysis and utilizing both SEO and paid advertising can help dental practices identify opportunities to differentiate themselves and attract more patients. A balanced marketing strategy that leverages all channels is most effective.

12) Create an Unforgettable Patient Experience

Today, making a patient’s visit memorable is key to creating a thriving dental office.

Beyond just performing amazing dental work, you also need to focus on how your service makes your patient feel. Dental practices that prioritize their patients’ comfort stand out from the rest.

Think about adding massage dental chairs, entertainment options during treatments, or making your office look and feel high-end. These steps can make a regular dental visit something dental patients look forward to, making them more likely to come back and tell others about their great experience.

Here are some ways to make your practice more patient-friendly:

Get dental chairs that are comfortable and have massage or heating features.
Offer TVs or VR headsets for patients to use during their treatments.
Make your office welcoming and fancy, so patients are relaxed.
Make sure your staff is talkative and friendly with your patients, especially during their appointments.

Key Takeaway: Providing an unforgettable patient experience is a strong marketing tool that can help your practice stand out and get more referrals through word of mouth.

13) Leveraging Community Engagement and Education

Getting involved with your local community is a great way to make your dental practice more known and trusted.

Participating in health fairs, visiting schools, and offering free dental check-ups, can show how committed you are to caring for people’s oral health in your area. These actions help you become more visible and trusted by potential patients.

Sharing knowledge through blogs, videos, and infographics can also make your practice stand out as a leader in dental health.

Talking about oral health care, different treatment options, and how to prevent dental problems can attract more people and keep your current patients informed and interested. This is a terrific way to show your expertise and how much you care about educating your patients.

Here are some easy ways to use community engagement and education:

Hold free dental check-up events in local areas to get noticed.
Join in on school health events to teach kids about oral health.
Post helpful content on social media and your website to reach more people.
Work together with local businesses and groups on health projects, to broaden your impact.

Key Takeaway: Community engagement and education are effective strategies for dental practices to earn trust, build a good reputation, and draw in new patients by making meaningful connections.

Final Thoughts on Leveling Up Your Dental Marketing Strategy

Innovative marketing in dentistry isn’t just about getting new patients. It’s also about building a community and creating experiences that people will talk about. By using digital tools, making sure patients have memorable experiences, and connecting with our communities, dental practices can really stand out.

To do this, we need to always put patients first.

Every choice and new idea should aim to improve patient care and happiness. This approach doesn’t just help a practice grow; it also helps build strong, lasting relationships with dental patients that keep them coming back and give them a reason to recommend you.

Ultimately, you’ll want to start by trying things. Realize that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your marketing. Begin with small, actionable things and grow from there. One step at a time, you’ll start to see the needle move from your marketing efforts.