Top 10 Dental Practice Marketing Strategies to Attract More Patients

Key Takeaways

• Maintain a professional website and optimize local SEO for dentists to ensure your practice ranks at the top of search results for nearby patients.
• Engage with your community through consistent, relevant social media content.
• Develop valuable, informative content to establish your practice as an authority in dental care.
• Utilize targeted paid advertising to boost your dental practice’s visibility quickly

Almost every dental practice and DSO has space on their schedule, so today’s patients have an almost unlimited selection to choose from. Providing great service is crucial to any thriving business, but it takes more than skills to attract attention. Stand out with a strong marketing presence — both online and in person — using these proven effective strategies that help you meet your practice goals.

Here’s how to elevate your practice with ten proven marketing strategies that attract and retain patients.

Top 10 Dental Practice Marketing Strategies 

1. A Custom Website: Make Your First Impression Count

Your website is often the first interaction potential patients have with your practice. Make sure it’s a good one. Your site should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. 

Speed matters too — slow-loading pages are a turn-off. And don’t forget clear calls to action like “Book an Appointment” to guide visitors toward taking the next step. 

A professional, well-optimized custom practice website is a necessary tool for attracting visitors and converting them to patients.

2. Local SEO: Be the First Dentist They Find

When someone in your area searches for a “dentist near me,” you want your practice to be the first name they see. Local SEO is all about getting your practice to the top of those search results. 

Start by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile — it’s free! Make sure your address, hours, and contact information are accurate and kept up to date. 

Incorporate location-based keywords like “dentist in [your city]” into your website content, and get listed in local directories. Business listing services can help you keep your information up to date with a minimum of effort on your part.

As a final step, ask your happy patients to leave reviews. They’re included in your Google Business Profile, and — they’re gold for your local search ranking.

3. Social Media Engagement: Where Your Patients Are

If it seems like nearly everyone is on social media these days, you’re right — and that includes your patients. Well over half of all Americans use social media, making it an incredibly powerful tool for connecting with your community, building relationships, and promoting your practice. 

You don’t have to use every social media platform, but we recommend creating and following a consistent posting schedule to keep your practice top of mind, both for the audience and the algorithm.

Have fun creating a variety of posts. Social media marketing ideas include educational posts about dental health, behind-the-scenes looks at your practice, patient testimonials, special promotions, and other posts that make people smile.

Engage with your followers, respond to comments, and create interactive posts like polls or Q&As. Consistency is key here, in both what you post and how often you post. Keep your practice top of mind for your local audience, and you’ll keep your appointment slots full.

If your practice doesn’t have the resources for regular posting to social media, consider social media management as a cost-effective solution.

4. Content Marketing: Show Off Your Expertise

For modern dental practices, having unique content on your website is more than just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Unlike the generic content found on countless other sites, content that’s tailored specifically to your practice can give you a real edge in search engine rankings.

When you create content that’s truly unique — whether it’s in-depth articles on specific dental procedures, patient testimonials, or practical oral health tips — you’re telling search engines that your site offers something different. This improves your visibility in search results while making your site more appealing to potential patients.

Beyond just ranking well, unique content helps establish your practice as an authority in the dental field. It shows that you’re knowledgeable and committed to providing valuable information to your patients. This builds trust and encourages more people to choose your practice over others.

So, if you want to stand out in a crowded online space, focus on creating content that’s original, relevant, and truly reflective of what your practice offers. It’s one of the best ways to boost your SEO and attract more patients.

While maintaining a blog and keeping it fresh can be time-consuming, you can automate your website content generation to eliminate the heavy lifting. 

5. Online Reviews: Your Digital Word of Mouth

Patients have choices, and as many as 96% of people read reviews before deciding which local business to support. In general, people value other peoples’ experiences, so managing your online reputation is essential.

Positive reviews build trust and credibility, while negative reviews can deter prospects. Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and other relevant platforms. 

But don’t stop there — engage with those reviews. Thank patients for their kind words and address any concerns raised in less-favorable reviews. This shows you value feedback and are committed to providing excellent care, both of which build credibility.

If you’re pressed for time, review generation can be automated, making it easy to maintain a steady supply of fresh reviews to showcase on your website and business listings.

6. Paid Advertising: Get Seen Fast

When you need to boost your visibility quickly, paid advertising is your best friend. Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other social media platforms allow you to target your ideal audience with precision. Highlight what makes your practice unique and include a strong call to action to encourage clicks.

Make sure your ads lead to well-designed landing pages that convert interest into appointments. Paid ads can be especially effective if you’re in a competitive area or want to promote a specific service.

Use precise targeting options to reach your ideal audience based on location, demographics, and interests. Write compelling ad copy that highlights the unique benefits of your practice and includes a strong call-to-action. Make sure your ads lead to well-designed landing pages that provide relevant information and encourage visitors to take action.

Many practices understand the benefits of paid advertising but struggle to fit the time required to plan campaigns into their schedules. Investing in Google Ads management can be a cost-effective way to get your message to potential patients.

7. Email Marketing: Stay Connected and Top of Mind

Email marketing might not be the newest tool in the digital toolbox, but it’s still one of the most effective ways to keep your patients engaged. Use it to remind patients about the services you offer, share special offers, or update them on what’s new at your practice. 

The key is personalization — segment your email list so you’re sending the right message to the right people. An engaging subject line and a clear call to action will make sure your emails get opened and, more importantly, get results.

8. Patient Referrals: Let Your Patients Market for You

There are countless ways to get your name out, but once you’ve earned patients’ respect, remember the power of word-of-mouth. Research shows that 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family more than any kind of advertising. Best of all, people love talking about their personal experiences — especially when they’re positive.

Consider creating a referral program that rewards patients for referring new patients to your practice. Consider creating a referral program that rewards patients for bringing in new business. Whether it’s a discount on their next visit or a small gift, a referral program can help you tap into a network of potential patients who already trust you.

9. Analytics and Tracking: Know What Works

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Regularly tracking your marketing efforts allows you to see what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. 

Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and user behavior. Track your social media engagement and email campaign performance to identify trends and adjust your strategies accordingly. 

Intelligent analytics are the key to data-driven decisions that allow you to grow your practice strategically.

10. Community Involvement: Be a Local Hero

Being actively involved in your local community is good PR — an unbeatable way to build trust and attract new patients. 

There are all kinds of ways you can get involved. Sponsor local events or sports teams to increase your practice’s visibility. Organize free dental check-up events or oral health workshops to give back to the community and attract new patients. 

Partner with local businesses and organizations to cross-promote services and reach a wider audience. No matter where you’re located, there are sure to be a wide range of community events and celebrations.

These efforts show that you’re invested in the well-being of your community — a fantastic way to get your name out there and build goodwill.

Supercharge Your Marketing with GrowthPlug

Mastering these dental marketing strategies is a great start, but to truly elevate your practice, you need the right tools in your corner.

That’s where GrowthPlug comes in. 

We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions designed specifically for dental practices, including:

• Custom website building
• Website content generation
• Google Ads management
• Business listing services
• Review generation
• Social media management

Whether it’s customizing your website to make that critical first impression, boosting your visibility in local search results, or managing a Google Ads campaign, GrowthPlug services are designed to help your practice thrive in a competitive market. 

‍Get a Free Website Audit. Ready to take your practice to the next level? GrowthPlug is here to help you every step of the way. To get started, take advantage of our free detailed assessment of your online presence along with personalized recommendations. Request a free website audit today.