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Dental Marketing Ideas: Get 20+ New Patients This Month (2024)

September 20, 2024
Tyler Trowbridge

Tired of not getting new patients? You’re not alone. MOST dentists struggle to be seen in a crowded market.

Imagine having a constant flow of patients wanting your services. Your dreams of having more patients than you have chair time for are over.

A good dental marketing strategy and solid dental marketing can make this a reality by increasing your practice’s visibility and reputation.

If you are looking for dental marketing ideas that will generate more leads and grow your patient base, read further. These strategies will benefit current and prospective patients by promoting wellness initiatives and facilitating patient-doctor dialogue. Get ready to level up your practice with proven strategies that work.

We've worked with hundreds of dentist across North America and here is what we've seen that works best.

We've broken this down into the following categories:

➡️ Online Strategies

➡️ Local Strategies

➡️ Referral Programs

➡️ Email Strategies

➡️ Video Strategies

➡️ Traditional (Old School) Strategies

➡️ In-office Strategies

➡️ Targeted Strategies

+ A BONUS section around Tracking and Analytics — which most dentists struggle with.

Don't have a CRM or even know what one is?

1. Online Strategies

Dental marketing is key to being seen. Implement these to increase your visibility and get more patients.

1.1 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Search engine optimization makes your dental practice rank higher on search engines by improving online visibility in local Google Maps searches.

Use keywords like “dental clinic in [your city]” throughout your website. Optimize meta descriptions, title tags and headers. Quality backlinks from other reputable sites also boost rankings.

SEO is a long-term strategy, often taking up to 1 year of investment to pay off, but it often has the overall highest ROI compared to all online strategies.

If you want to learn more about the nuances of Dental SEO -> READ HERE

1.2 Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC Ads put your business at the top of Google search results. Set a budget, choose your target keywords and create your ad copy. Google Ads is the most popular PPC platform.

It's simple, it's quick (we're talking, new patients... this week) however, it is more expensive.

1.3 Social Media Marketing

Social media offers many ways to engage with potential patients as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. Share educational content about oral health on Facebook and Instagram. Run targeted ads to specific demographics.

Social media marketing benefits include the following:

  • Increased brand awareness
  • Engaged community
  • Passive traffic to your website

Organic Social Media Marketing (just posting naturally) doesn't often have a direct increase in new patients, but PAID Social Media Marketing can often work extremely well, especially for very established clinics and specialized clinics focused on a specific discipline or treatment-set.


2. Local Strategies

Local strategies can increase your practice’s visibility in the community and attract prospective patients.

Engaging with current and potential patients through the local community can enhance your authority and increase brand awareness, indirectly leading to new lead generation (MORE NEW PATIENTS!)

2.1 Google Business Profile (Google Maps) Optimization

Google Maps is continually increasingly more important year after year. Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) makes you visible in local Google Maps searches. Add accurate information, high-quality photos, and patient reviews to build credibility and attract patients.

Post on Google My Business regularly (once a week!) and collect review to keep your business high on the list.

2.2 Local Citations & Business Directories

List your practice in local directories like OpenCare, Dentist On Demand, CareCru, Flossy, BirdEye, Connect The Doc, and other modern directories specifically for dentists. These listings increase your online presence and make it easier for locals to find you.

2.3 Community Involvement

Engage with the community by sponsoring events or participating in health fairs, local markets and regular holiday events. This will position your practice as a caring community member and build trust.

2.4 Sponsorships

Sponsor local sports teams or school events. This puts your brand in front of families, and they positively associate your practice with them.

2.5 Partnerships with Local Businesses

Partner with nearby businesses like gyms or pharmacies. Cross-promote services to reach a wider audience.

Use these to engage with the local community, increase visibility and get more patients to your dental practice.


3. Patient Referral Programs

Incentivising dental patient referrals grows your practice. Offer discounts or free services to dental patients who refer others. For example 10% off their next visit or a free cleaning.

Having a referral tracking system ensures you can measure the effectiveness of these programs. Use software like a Dental CRM track referrals. These platforms manage patient data and streamline the referral process.

Ask existing patients to leave online reviews by offering small rewards like gift cards or dental care kits. Positive reviews boost your online reputation and attract new patients looking for a reliable dental service.

Consider running referral contests with prizes like electric toothbrushes or teeth whitening sessions. This creates buzz and gets more patients involved in your referral program.


4. Email Marketing

Email marketing is still a powerful tool for dental practices. Building an email list is the first step. Collect emails through your website, social media and in-office visits. Export your patient management system into a CRM or email marketing software and send away!

Adding dental marketing tools can take your email marketing to the next level with modern messaging and benchmarking features.

4.1 Building an Email List

Gather emails from prospective patients by offering incentives like discounts or free consultations. Use sign up forms on your website and social media pages. Always ensure you have permission to send emails.

4.2 Personalised Campaigns

Personalised campaigns get more engagement. Use patient names and tailor content based on their history with your practice. Segment your list into categories like new patients, regular visitors and those who need follow ups.

4.3 Newsletter Strategies

Newsletters keep patients informed about services, promotions and dental health tips. Send monthly newsletters with content like:

  • Oral health tips
  • Upcoming events
  • Patient testimonials
  • Special offers

Each newsletter should have a clear call-to-action (CTA) to book appointments or visit your website.

4.4 Automated Emails

Use tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact or your Dental CRM to automate emails for appointment reminders, birthday wishes, and follow-up care instructions. This will save time and keep patients informed. Emails before and after appointments increase show rate and make collecting reviews easier.

4.5 Measuring Success

Monitor open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversion rates to track campaign success and adjust strategy for future campaigns.

These email marketing strategies will increase patient engagement and retention for your dental practice.


5. Video Marketing

Video marketing is one of the most important dental marketing tools. It increases your dental practice’s visibility. Create educational dental videos to educate patients about procedures. Virtual office tours can make new patients feel comfortable before their first visit.

Educational videos help to demystify dental procedures. For example, explain the steps of a root canal or the benefits of regular cleanings. Use clear visuals and simple language so patients can understand.

5.2 Virtual Office Tours

Virtual tours show your practice environment. Highlight areas like the reception, treatment rooms and sterilisation zones. This transparency builds trust and reduces patient anxiety.

5.3 Patient Testimonials in Video

Patient testimonials in video format are powerful credibility builders. Real patients sharing their experiences resonate more than written reviews. Make sure these videos are authentic and relatable.

  • Good production: Invest in good lighting and sound.
  • Good content: Keep videos short but informative.
  • Consistency: Update your video library with fresh content regularly.

Use these in your marketing plan to get more engagement and new patients.


6. Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing still has value in dental office marketing. They offer tangible touchpoints that digital can’t.

6.1 Direct Mail Campaigns

Direct mail campaigns can target residents. Sending postcards, brochures, or newsletters to homes increases visibility. Use high-quality images and compelling offers to grab attention.

6.2 Print Ads

Print ads are still a powerful way to reach new patients. Placing ads in local newspapers, magazines, or community bulletins gets you in front of people who don’t often go online.

6.3 Radio Spots

Radio spots are a great way to reach a wider audience. Craft short messages about special offers or new services. Local radio stations have loyal listeners who trust their content.

6.4 TV Ads

TV ads create visual impact and credibility. Show patient testimonials, introduce your team or highlight the technology used in your practice. Though expensive, the wide reach justifies the spending if the budget allows it.

Using these traditional methods with modern digital strategies covers all patient bases.


7. In-Office Marketing

Dental office marketing gets patient engagement and promotes services in your practice. It creates a professional environment and informs patients about the treatments available.

7.1 Waiting Room Displays

Use waiting room displays to showcase dental services, promotions, and educational content. Digital screens can show before-and-after photos of procedures, and posters can list the benefits of specific treatments.

Examples:

  • Digital screens with a slide show of smile makeovers.
  • Posters of teeth whitening benefits.

7.2 Brochures

Provide brochures that detail each dental service. Patients can read while they wait or take home for further consideration. Keep the design clean and informative.

Key Points:

  • Service descriptions.
  • Contact details for appointment booking.

7.3 Staff Training for Upselling Services

Train your staff to upsell services well. Give them knowledge on different treatments so they can recommend options during patient conversations.

Training Areas:

  • Benefits of advanced treatments.
  • How to introduce new services without being pushy.

7.4 Patient Education Materials

Send educational materials to help patients understand their oral health better. Use pamphlets, infographics or even short videos in the waiting room to convey important information quickly.

  • Brushing techniques.
  • Why regular check-ups?

In-office marketing not only gets patient experience but also drives practice growth by getting patients to make informed decisions on dental care options.


8. Targeted Campaigns

8.1 Seasonal Promotions

Seasonal promotions get new patients and retain existing ones. Offer discounts on teeth whitening around Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Use limited-time offers to create urgency and get bookings.

8.2 Service Specific Campaigns

Focus marketing on specific dental services to target the right audience. Promote orthodontic treatments during back-to-school season for families with kids. Promote cosmetic dentistry before wedding season for brides-to-be.

8.3 Age Group-Specific Strategies

Target campaigns by age group for better engagement. For young adults, use social media like Instagram and TikTok with content about wisdom teeth removal or Invisalign. Older adults can use email newsletters about dentures or dental implants.

  1. Children: Run oral hygiene workshops in schools.
  2. Teenagers: Offer discounts on braces during school holidays.
  3. Adults: Write blog posts about regular check-ups.
  4. Seniors: Partner with local senior centres to offer free consultations.

Each campaign should use the right channels and messaging for the audience and their needs and preferences to get maximum impact across all demographic segments.


9. Tracking and Analytics

Tracking tools help you measure your dental marketing plan. They give you insights into your campaigns so you can make data driven decisions.

Implement A Dental CRM

9.1 Key Metrics to Watch

  • Website Traffic: Use Google Analytics.
  • Conversion Rates: How many visitors become patients?
  • Social Media Engagement: Monitor likes, shares and comments on posts.
  • Email Open Rates: How often emails are opened.

9.2 Tools for Tracking

Several tools to track these metrics:

  1. Google Analytics: Website traffic reports.
  2. SEMrush: SEO and PPC performance.
  3. Hootsuite: Social media engagement across platforms.
  4. Mailchimp: Email campaign analytics.

9.3 Data-Driven Adjustments

Data analysis helps fine-tune marketing. Review your website’s user experience or call-to-action buttons if conversion rates drop. Low email open rates may mean you need to work on your subject lines.

By using tracking tools and monitoring key metrics, you can ensure that your dental marketing is effective and adapts to changing trends.


Conclusion

Running multiple dental marketing strategies can increase your practice's visibility and patient engagement. Using both online and in-office marketing, you can create an overall marketing plan targeting different age groups and demographics.

Use tools to track and analyse key metrics to fine-tune your approach so your campaigns stay effective and adaptable. Stay data-driven and evolve your strategies to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of dental marketing.

We hope this guide helped provide you some interesting ideas for your dental marketing!

If you need any assistance or want us to do this for your clinic—shoot us an email!

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