Running a dental practice is more than just filling cavities and polishing teeth. You also want people to know about your services and trust you. Attracting new patients can be challenging when so many choices compete for attention.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to show people what makes your practice special.
From building a strong online presence to making sure every patient leaves happy, there are both online and offline strategies that can help you attract more patients.
The truth is, today’s dental patients are looking for practices they can trust, find easily, and feel comfortable with. Using a mix of online and in-person methods can help you attract more patients while keeping them coming back.
Here are ten proven ways to grow your practice and what makes each one effective.
Build a strong online presence
Having a clear, professional online presence is the foundation of attracting new patients. Think of it like your digital storefront. People judge your practice based on what they see online.
One of the first steps is creating and optimizing your Google Business Profile, or GMB, which is essentially your practice’s listing on Google that shows up when people search for dental services in your area.
[screenshot of GMB]
Setting it up properly ensures they get the right information and a positive first impression. To make it easy, here’s a quick checklist:
- Claim and verify your profile – Before you can manage your listing, you need to claim it. Google will ask you to verify your practice, usually by sending a postcard with a code to your office address. This ensures you’re the official owner and can control all the information shown to potential patients.
- Add your practice name, address, and phone number – Make sure these are accurate and match exactly what appears on your website and other online directories.
- Include your website – Linking your website allows patients to learn more about your services, see photos, and book appointments online.
- Choose the right business category – For example, you might choose “Dentist,” “Family Dentist,” or “Cosmetic Dentistry.” You can also add secondary categories for specific services, like “Orthodontist” or “Teeth Whitening,” to improve visibility.
Once your profile is set up, you can optimize it to attract more patients. Add detailed information about your services and office hours, upload high-quality photos of your team and practice, and write a friendly, professional description that highlights what makes your practice unique.
While a strong Google Business Profile helps patients find your practice in local searches, your website is where they really get to know you and decide whether to schedule an appointment.
[screenshot well-designed website]
A well-designed, mobile-friendly website not only makes it easy for visitors to learn about your services and contact you, but it also helps your practice appear higher in search results. Here’s what it entails:
- Clean, intuitive layout – Easy-to-read fonts, organized menus, and logical page structure so visitors can quickly find what they need.
- Mobile optimization – Ensures your site works smoothly on smartphones and tablets, since most local searches happen on mobile devices.
- Fast-loading pages – Reduce frustration and keep visitors on your site longer.
- Clear calls to action – Prominent buttons or links for scheduling appointments, contacting your office, or learning more about services.
- SEO-friendly content – Uses relevant keywords, meta descriptions, headings, and alt text to help search engines understand your site.
- Accessible information – Includes key details like services offered, hours, location, and insurance information.
With your GMB profile and website working together, you create a strong digital foundation that builds trust and drives growth.
Beyond a polished Google Business Profile and website, having a patient-focused content marketing strategy can further strengthen your online presence. This involves creating content that truly meets your patients’ needs and interests.
[screenshot of dental blog post]
You can write blog posts that answer common dental questions, produce step-by-step guides for at-home oral care, or create short videos explaining procedures or offering practical tips for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Run targeted ads
If you want to attract new patients quickly, targeted online advertising is a game-changer. Most people turn to Google when they need a dentist, so showing up right when someone is searching for dental care in your area can make all the difference.
Google Ads is one of the best ways to do this because it puts your practice front and center for people actively looking for the services you offer.
Your ad can appear at the very top of search results when someone types in relevant keywords, so you’re reaching them at the moment they’re ready to book.
[screenshot of dental ad at top of search results]
When setting up Google Ads, it’s important to pay attention not just to who you’re targeting, but also to how much each click costs. The average cost per click (CPC) for dental ads typically falls between $2 and $6, though it can be higher for very competitive keywords.
Understanding CPC helps you manage your advertising budget wisely — you want to make sure each click has a strong chance of turning into a new patient.
You can focus your ads on people nearby, certain age groups, or even specific interests.
For instance, adults in your neighborhood who are interested in teeth whitening or parents searching for pediatric dental care are great targets.
Engage in social media
Social media isn’t just for staying in touch with friends. It’s a powerful tool for dental practices to connect with potential patients.
With over 5.41 billion people worldwide using social media in 2025, and the average user spending about 2 hours and 21 minutes daily on these platforms, it’s clear that social media is a dominant force in our daily lives.
To effectively engage your dental audience, consider diversifying your content. Here are some types of posts that resonate well:
- Short-form videos (e.g., TikToks, reels) – Quick, engaging videos demonstrating procedures, sharing tips, or showcasing patient transformations.
- Before-and-after photos – Visual proof of your work, especially for cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or veneers.
- Patient testimonials – Share stories from satisfied patients to build credibility and trust.
- Educational posts – Infographics or carousel posts explaining dental procedures, tips for oral hygiene, or the benefits of regular check-ups.
- Behind-the-scenes content – Introduce your team, show your office environment, or share daily operations to humanize your practice.
- Interactive stories/quizzes – Engage your audience with polls, Q&A sessions, or fun quizzes related to dental health.
- Seasonal promotions or announcements – Highlight special offers, new services, or upcoming events to keep your audience informed.
[screenshot of any of the content from the list above]
Incorporating a mix of these content types can help educate your audience and encourage interaction.
Provide an excellent customer experience
Make sure patients feel welcomed, informed, and well-cared for throughout their visit. This starts with small but meaningful gestures — greeting them by name, offering a comfortable waiting environment, and checking in regularly during procedures.
Another important part of the customer experience is making appointments easy and convenient. Streamlining scheduling not only reduces stress for your patients but also shows that your practice values their time.
Here are some ways to make booking simple and hassle-free:
- Online booking options – Allow patients to schedule appointments directly from your website or patient portal at any time. This will reduce the need for back-and-forth phone calls.
- Flexible scheduling – Offer a variety of appointment times, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends, to accommodate different schedules. This makes your practice more accessible to busy patients.
- Appointment reminders – Use automated texts, emails, or calls to remind patients of upcoming visits. Reminders help reduce no-shows and make patients feel cared for even before they arrive.
Transparent communication about costs is another key part of providing an excellent patient experience. Clearly explaining all charges upfront helps ease price anxiety and builds trust, so patients feel confident about their care without surprises.
Offering flexible payment options, such as installment plans or in-house membership programs, can make dental services more accessible, especially for uninsured or budget-conscious patients.
Get positive reviews
Online reviews are more than just nice-to-have — they’re essential for building credibility and attracting new patients. Many people now rely on reviews to decide which dental practice to choose.
A practice with numerous positive reviews signals trustworthiness, professionalism, and quality care, while a lack of reviews, or negative reviews left unaddressed, can make potential patients hesitant to book an appointment.
The most influential platforms for dental practices include Google Business Profile, Facebook, Yelp, and other local directories. Google reviews are especially important, as they help improve your visibility in local search results.
[screenshot of Google reviews]
To gather reviews, ask satisfied patients directly after a positive appointment. Make it easy by providing links in emails, texts, or on receipts, and send friendly follow-up reminders if needed.
It’s equally important to respond to every review, positive or negative, with professional comments that show you value feedback.
Have a referral program
A referral program encourages your current patients to recommend your dental practice to friends, family, and colleagues.
It rewards patients for spreading the word, which creates a win-win: they feel appreciated, and you gain new patients who are more likely to trust your services.
In a dental practice, a referral program might involve:
- Discounts or credits – Offer a discount on their next visit or a credit toward dental services for each new patient they refer.
- Gift cards or small rewards – Give a gift card, toothbrush kit, or other small tokens of appreciation.
- Special recognition – Highlight patients who refer others with a thank-you note or a feature in your newsletter.
Having a referral program is powerful because people trust recommendations from family and friends far more than traditional advertising.
Practices without referral programs may miss out on this valuable source of new patients, while a well-run program can generate a steady stream of qualified leads and build long-term loyalty among existing patients.
Getting started is simple.
First, decide what type of reward will resonate with your patient base and fits your practice budget. Next, clearly communicate the program through in-office signage, your website, email newsletters, and social media.
Make it easy for patients to participate by providing referral cards, online forms, or links they can share with friends.
Finally, track referrals carefully so you can recognize and reward patients promptly, which reinforces the positive behavior.
Partner with other businesses
Partnering with local businesses is a great way to reach new patients while supporting your community.
For example, imagine your dental practice partners with a nearby gym. You could offer a free dental hygiene tip session or provide a discount for gym members who schedule a cleaning. In return, the gym could promote your practice to its members through newsletters, social media, or in-person flyers.
This cross-promotion benefits both businesses: the gym adds value to its members, and your practice gains exposure to a health-conscious audience that values preventive care.
When planning partnerships, keep communication clear and expectations realistic. Discuss how each business will promote the collaboration and what incentives might be offered.
Finally, decide how success will be measured, whether by new patient sign-ups, social media engagement, or event attendance.
Participate in community events
Getting involved in local activities is a powerful way to introduce your practice to people who may not yet know you. Supporting neighborhood events, youth sports teams, or charitable fundraisers makes your practice more visible while showing that you care about the community.
For example, imagine your dental office sponsors a little league baseball team. You could:
- Provide team uniforms with your practice’s logo
- Offer a free dental check-up for all team members
- Host a fun “smile day” at the field with oral hygiene demonstrations
Families attending the games see your commitment to kids’ health, and parents naturally start thinking of your practice when it’s time to schedule check-ups for their children.
Expand your services
Not all dentists immediately think about expanding their services, and you might be wondering what that really means.
Essentially, it’s about offering more than the basics by adding services that complement your core offerings and give patients extra reasons to choose your practice.
Let’s say your practice primarily provides cleanings and fillings. You could consider introducing services like teeth whitening, cosmetic procedures, or orthodontic consultations.
These add-ons not only meet more of your patients’ needs but also create opportunities to increase revenue through upselling.
Expanding services thoughtfully can make your practice more competitive and appealing. Patients often prefer to receive multiple types of care from one trusted provider rather than going to several different offices.
Implement an email marketing campaign
Email marketing is one of the most effective channels for driving conversions, with a 2.8% conversion rate. This means that for every 100 people who receive your email, nearly three take a desired action.
For a dental practice, this could translate into more appointment bookings, increased patient retention, and higher revenue from services like teeth whitening or cosmetic procedures.
The key is to send the right message at the right time, with content that resonates with your patients’ needs and interests.
To make the most of email marketing, consider these strategies:
- Send regular newsletters – Share helpful oral health tips, updates about your practice, or interesting dental facts to keep patients engaged.
- Announce new services or promotions – Let patients know about added treatments, special offers, or seasonal deals to encourage bookings.
- Automate appointment reminders and follow-ups – Reduce no-shows and show patients that your practice is organized and attentive to their needs.
To get started, consider using email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or HubSpot. These tools offer templates, automation features, and analytics to help you create effective campaigns.
Start by building a segmented email list. Group patients based on factors like appointment history, age, or interests. Then, send personalized emails that speak directly to each group’s needs.
Remember, the goal is to build trust and keep your practice top-of-mind.
Attracting new patients takes time, effort, and a thoughtful approach. Every step you take to improve your online presence helps. Connecting with your community and providing exceptional care also makes a real difference.
If you’re looking for a partner to help amplify your efforts and make sure your practice gets noticed by the right patients, Augmentify can guide you with expert strategies tailored to dental practices. Let us help you reach more patients and make your practice shine online.