Do You Own a Family Dental Practice? How to Attract New Patients
As of 2021, there are over 199,500 dental practices in the US. While there are different specializations, competition can still be fierce in your local area.
As a family dentist, your range is broad. But there are myriad other family dentists who compete for the same patients.
So how can you stand out from the crowd and ensure your business thrives?
To attract more patients to your family dental practice, read on for some tips!
Start a Referral Bonus Program
One of the biggest ways dental practices get patients through the door is by word of mouth. If you do a good job, your patients will naturally refer you to their friends and family.
However, you should speed along the process by starting a referral bonus program. By offering something like a discount for a service or product in exchange for referrals, you’ll motivate your patients to give you referrals!
Take Advantage of Online Marketing
Traditional marketing is still important nowadays (especially word of mouth), but you need to take advantage of online marketing as well. Implementing specialized strategies like SEO for dentists can help your practice appear in relevant searches, attracting patients who are actively looking for dental services online. By optimizing your website with targeted keywords, local listings, and high-quality content, you can increase the chances of being discovered by potential clients in your area. Most people use the internet, so it’s a channel that’s high in the potential for attracting new dental patients.
However, digital marketing can be tough to nail, so working with a dental marketing agency can work wonders. They’ll have the info and experience to boost your practice’s website to the top of search engine pages, so your brand is more visible.
These specialized agencies possess a deep understanding of local search algorithms, ensuring your practice appears prominently when potential patients search for dental services nearby. They go beyond basic SEO, often providing a full suite of services that include meticulous keyword research, engaging content creation, and strategic management of local business listings.
Make Your Communication Impeccable
You want to make your dental practice accessible. If it isn’t, this will turn away new patients immediately!
Make it a policy to answer all phone calls during business hours, even during lunch. And for any messages left during closing hours, make sure you respond the next day.
You’ll also want to have an online presence. If you don’t already have social media accounts for your practice, make them now. And if patients comment or send you direct messages (DMs), always respond to those as well. Many people prefer to reach out to businesses through the internet rather than the phone, so not having an online presence can kill your business.
Ask for Reviews
People turn to the internet for information before booking an appointment at a family dental practice. One thing they do is read reviews from previous patients to get a feel for how good (or bad) a practice is.
So if you don’t have any online reviews, ask your current patients to leave some. Like with the referral program, offer some incentives (like discounts) to motivate them to follow through.
Run a Successful Family Dental Practice by Attracting New Patients Efficiently
Competition for a family dental practice can be fierce. But so long as you employ the right strategies, provide good service, and treat your patient well, you’re sure to stay in business for years to come!
Want to learn more about dental marketing strategies? Then read more of our blog page to make your practice stand out!
I’m Mathilde Lacombe, a French entrepreneur, beauty industry influencer, and founder of AIME. As a businesswoman and mom of three, I’ve built my career at the intersection of beauty, wellness, and entrepreneurship. Through my journey, I’ve learned how self-care, confidence, and mindful living play a vital role in both personal and professional success.
On this blog, I share insights from the world of beauty, wellness rituals I truly believe in, and honest lessons from building and growing a brand. From entrepreneurship to everyday inspiration, this space reflects everything I love and live by designed to empower women to feel their best, inside and out.
