Maintaining a healthy flow of patients in your dental practice can be achieved when you have a well-developed marketing plan. This includes both traditional (offline) and digital ( online) strategies, which provide unique benefits.
However, many dentists — especially those focused on providing clinical care — may not always recognize the value of marketing in sustaining a successful business.
If you’re unsure of how to start, this article will show you how to attract new patients to your dental practice.
1. Online presence
Nowadays, a professional website for your dental practice is no longer an option, especially since people in need of a dentist search online. They might do a web search for services like teeth cleaning, whitening, veneers, and more. In some instances, people are eager to learn more about oral health topics through articles and other online resources.
Having a website helps to convey credibility and expertise in dentistry. Even better, you’ll make it easier for patients to discover your practice. This includes the services you offer, contact details, office hours, and where you are located.
Beyond online discoverability, a well-designed website with informative, educational content can encourage interaction.
2. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search engine marketing, primarily pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, involves creating and placing ads on search results. As an advertiser, you will be bidding on certain keywords that are relevant to the dental services you offer. This is so when potential patients type in keywords like “dentist near me” or “walk-in dentist,” they are more likely to see your ad.
If your business is trying to reach local patients, including specific demographics (people within a certain age group, income bracket, culture, or family status), pay-per-click ads boost your chances of reaching highly qualified leads. This is thanks to their targeted approach.
3. Social Media Marketing (SMM)
Social media marketing uses social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote a product or service. For dental practices, social media provides the opportunity to interact directly with their current and potential patients.
For example, a dentist could post tips and resources related to oral health, and their social media followers would then like, comment, and share the content with their friends! Besides increasing community engagement, social media platforms allow patients to write a feedback or review of your service — and this may serve as a form of social proof that attracts new patients.
Choosing social media marketing, along with other digital marketing methods, can help drive more results for your dental practice.
4. Local SEO
Local SEO is a strategy aimed at making your dental business visible in local search results. Since it targets local searchers — people seeking services within a geographical location — it optimizes for location-based keywords or phrases so that those nearby can easily discover you.
Dental practices have physical locations, which makes them suitable candidates for local SEO. If you’re a new dentist and are in a competitive market, local SEO strategies can give you an edge by allowing your business to stand out.
When compared to traditional advertising, such as print ads and billboards, using local SEO on your website can offer a high return on investment (ROI) even on a limited budget.
5. Content marketing
Content marketing, as the name suggests, is focused on creating and distributing blog posts and guides with the purpose of helping your dental business attract new patients and even retain existing ones. It accomplishes this goal by educating them and addressing their concerns regularly.
Take, for example, a dental practice that writes and publishes informative articles on their website about the importance of regular check-ups and ways to prevent cavities. By providing helpful tips that benefit your patients’ oral health, they are more likely to choose you to meet their dental needs.
6. Email marketing
Email marketing is another effective strategy that attracts patients — and even maintains relationships — and it is done by collecting their email addresses and sending valuable content to their inboxes. The way that dental practices grow their email list is by having first-time patients fill out a form at their clinics or on their website, asking for their contact information and email address.
It may seem like email marketing is simply a means of staying engaged through informative content or reminders them about their next check-up. However, for growing their patient base, it can be an opportunity to promote new services, special offers, and referral campaigns.
7. Community involvement
Community involvement for dental practices means participating in events and charities to support your local community. Whether you’re doing a seminar or workshop on oral health or offering free dental services to low-income individuals, your involvement shows your commitment to the well-being of your patients.
Through community involvement, you can also increase positive word-of-mouth referrals. Patients who see a dentist in a local event develop positive feelings, which leads them to recommend the dentist to their family and friends.
8. Referral program
Speaking of word-of-mouth referrals, a referral program is a highly structured means of increasing customer acquisition by incentivizing an existing audience to refer others. For dental practices, these rewards or incentives can be in the form of discounted dental treatments, gift cards, and dental products.
A referral program can be promoted using various strategies. This may include social media marketing, content marketing, and email marketing. If you’re already taking advantage of these channels to promote your dental practice, you might consider adding a referral program to further boost these marketing efforts.
9. Patient education
Dental patients often seek education regarding different aspects of their oral health. Depending on their current concerns, they might be interested in learning about the benefits and risks of a treatment option, lifestyle modifications, brushing and flossing techniques, and more.
By educating your patients each time they pay you a visit, you’re helping them weigh their options and feel empowered to make informed decisions. These patients may feel more confident in your expertise and will likely leave glowing testimonials online.
When these are seen by potential new patients, who might rely on reviews to evaluate a dental practice, they’ll become interested in you.
10. Exceptional patient experience
Dental care professionals who deliver the kind of care that exceeds patients’ expectations leave a lasting positive impression. Exceptional patient experience usually covers every aspect of a person’s journey. It starts from the moment they schedule an appointment to the dental treatment process and follow-up care.
When these patients receive personalized care, they feel valued and are likely to return for future services. It goes without saying that although other dental offices provide similar services, the quality of experience you offer will set you apart from others.
Summary
Get a consistent flow of patients for your dental practice using more than one of these methods. Marketing that’s done effectively, whether through building and maintaining a professional website, doing local SEO, content marketing, or a different method — will expand your practice.
Conversely, dental practices that do not use any online strategy may fall behind competitors who are being active. Don’t miss out on opportunities in this digital era to reach your target patients!