When launching your new dental clinic, your patients are your priority — their clinic experience, treatment plans, and interactions with your staff all affect your bottom line. Happy patients lead to more referrals, after all. However, relying solely on word-of-mouth to attract new patients isn’t enough to sustain long-term growth in a field where competition is high.
According to the Health Policy Institute, the number of dentists per capita is expected to grow by 10.4% by 2040. As more clinics open, the need for effective dental marketing ideas has never been more important. You need a solid dental marketing plan — built on traditional and creative digital marketing ideas for dentists — to fill your schedule.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive look at 31 effective dental marketing strategies that can help you attract more patients and grow your practice. We’ll walk you through planning your strategy, the tactics you’ll use to engage with customers, and how to measure your results for long-term success. Let’s dive in!
How to Create Your Dental Marketing Strategy
Before implementing any dental practice marketing strategies, check state and federal regulations (and the ADA Code) so you don’t inadvertently break any rules with telemarketing, incentives, promotional claims, etc. Then, outline a game plan that aligns with your unique goals and resources. Here’s how you can start:
With these foundational steps in place, you’ll be ready to deploy a mix of traditional, digital, and alternative marketing for dental offices — all while measuring your return on investment every step of the way.
Despite the rise of digital marketing for dental clinics, traditional tactics are still a great way to boost local visibility and strengthen community ties. Below are nine conventional and time-tested methods that can expand your reach with the people you want to reach:
Mail postcards or brochures directly to households in your area. A simple postcard (“It’s time for your annual cleaning — schedule now and receive 10% off!”) can be enough to re-engage existing patients and attract new ones. Include a clear call to action with a phone number or appointment URL.
Though it may sound old-fashioned, friendly, professional phone calls can remind patients of overdue checkups. Forgo unsolicited robocalls and pushy sales tactics that make people uncomfortable and focus on value instead — like helpful scheduling reminders: “We noticed you’re due for a visit. How about next Thursday?”
This personal touch can enhance retention and patient loyalty. To streamline this process, use a customer relationship management tool (CRM) to house your customer data. This tool allows you to set reminders to engage with and follow up with existing clients via email or phone.
Text messages are an effective way to remind patients about upcoming appointments or promote limited-time offers. For example, “Hello! Your cleaning is due — book now and get 15% off whitening.” ensures your message gets seen quickly without cluttering inboxes. You can schedule these using a CRM (more on this later)
Well-designed print materials placed in local businesses and community centers or mailed to nearby households can raise awareness of your services. A brochure outlining your specialties, staff qualifications, and financing options allows potential patients to make informed decisions about their dental care.
Online graphic design tools like Canva or Microsoft Publisher can help you create these materials using templates, even if you don’t have any design experience.
Sponsor health fairs, school functions, or local sports events. If the local brewery is hosting a 5K, for example, consider sponsoring the event and placing your clinic’s name on the flyer and T-shirts. This support will expose your branding to health-conscious community members who might later become patients.
Referrals remain one of the most powerful marketing ideas for dental offices. A Nielsen report showed that 88% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than any other method, especially in tight-knit communities. Encourage patients to spread the word:
Attending or exhibiting at dental trade shows or conferences helps you stay current on industry trends while networking with suppliers and other professionals. If you want to do more than just participate, sign up as a presenter or keynote speaker about a topic you’re passionate about.
Sharing your knowledge of other innovations in dentistry, such as the latest in digital X-rays or holistic dental practices, can position you as a local authority on cutting-edge dentistry and garner trust from potential clients.
Looking for a bold way to stand out? Hand out free dental care kits in busy public areas, complete with mini toothbrushes, floss, and coupons. Interesting “street marketing” approaches like this can create memorable in-person impressions and encourage future bookings.
Local newspapers, community bulletins, and regional magazines still have dedicated audiences. A well-placed ad can catch the eye of potential patients who prefer traditional media, especially older adults or families who rely on local print resources.
Modern marketing for dentists heavily relies on online visibility, as most customers use search engines and social media to find new businesses. Explore these 16 digital strategies to supercharge your dental clinic marketing efforts:
When people search for “family dentist” or “cosmetic dentistry” in your area, you want your practice to appear on page one of the search engine (Google, Bing, etc.) A recent study by Backlinko revealed the top result in Google’s organic search results earns an average click-through rate (CTR) of 27.6%. Even just getting your website or advertisement one spot closer to the top can generate more “clicks” (read: leads) for your practice.
Optimize your digital ads and website for the keywords your clients are most likely to search to help position your listings for search. Include a mix of local keywords like “pediatric dentist in [City Name]” and general dental keywords like “dental implant” or “pediatric dentist.” Identify the keywords for your practice using SEO research platforms and by studying competitor sites.
Pair your SEO strategy with paid advertising for dentists on Google or social media. Running PPC ads ensures that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a more cost-effective method for targeting a specific subset of customers — like adults within 30 miles of Denver. Plus, PPC can be turned on and off with the click of a mouse, allowing you more control over your budget and visibility.
Set a daily budget per click, maybe $5, and display ads that target certain keywords, like teeth whitening or emergency dental services. Run and test a few ads to see what resonates best with your audience for securing leads.
In marketing a dental practice, focus your efforts on gathering customer reviews. Why? Because 49% of people trust online reviews as much as they trust personal recommendations from friends and family. Encourage satisfied visitors to share their experiences on Google or Yelp with a follow-up email after each appointment.
The more reviews, the better. Online reviews can make someone 380% more likely to buy a higher-priced product than a product with no reviews. A strong online reputation reassures potential patients about your quality of care, so make sure to address all reviews in a timely manner — even the negative ones.
Dental content marketing helps establish you as an expert. Write blog posts that answer common questions like “How often should I floss?” or “Is professional teeth whitening worth it?”
Blogging also feeds your SEO efforts with fresh, relevant content. Refer back to your SEO research when brainstorming article ideas to ensure you write words about commonly searched words and phrases, like average dental costs or dental implant recovery process.
A staggering 89% of businesses use videos as a marketing tool — likely because the ROI is high. Roughly 87% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a video. Post short clips on Instagram or TikTok to simplify complex procedures, or upload longer explainer videos to YouTube.
Some ideas for using video as an engagement and awareness tool include:
For in-depth topics like restorative dentistry or gum disease management, consider creating longer resources like ebooks and whitepapers as a lead generation tool. You can build your prospect list by “gating” these materials (requiring an email to download the resource). Plus, these informative resources help reinforce your knowledge and experience.
Host live Q&A sessions or recorded discussions about emerging dental trends like the future of dentistry or the basics of dental implants. Health-focused podcasts are gaining traction, and engagement is high.
If you don’t have the time to host a webinar or podcast, consider advertising on a health or lifestyle show that reaches your customer base. A 2024 Nielsen study reported that podcast audiences are more receptive to ads, which suggests that a live-read or pre-produced advertisement for dentists might trigger new leads.
Share detailed stories of real patients who overcame dental challenges under your care on your blog or social media. For instance, you can feature a story about a patient who resolved their severe tooth sensitivity by working through a customized treatment plan at your practice. Concrete, data-backed success stories double as customer testimonials and credibility boosters.
Building an engaging social media presence humanizes your practice and keeps you top-of-mind. Each platform offers unique ways to connect because they tailor to different audiences:
Email is among the most effective dental practice marketing tools, offering direct communication with current and prospective patients. In fact, the medical, dental, and healthcare sectors see an average email open rate of around 44.6%, higher than the average for all industries.
Email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact have automation, segmentation, and tracking tools to help streamline your campaign efforts and personalize communications.
Given that 80% of U.S. consumers search for local businesses weekly, optimizing your online pages with location-specific strategies tailored for dental services is one of the best ways to find more customers.
Use the insights from your SEO research above to incorporate your local keywords on your website, social media, and online listings. Analyze competitor local SEO strategies to determine which keywords they use and which directories they are present in.
Whether you’re offering emergency dental care, pediatric dentistry, or cosmetic procedures, dedicated landing pages with clear calls to action can convert curious website visitors into booked appointments. You can create separate pages for common services and treatments customers need, such as teeth whitening, InvisalignⓇ, bridges, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry.
Retargeting (or remarketing) allows you to show ads to people who’ve already visited your website. When someone lands on your site or advertisement, a piece of code, known as a pixel, tracks their activity. Later, when they browse social media or the internet, your ads reappear, reminding them of your services.
This is especially effective for individuals who are unsure about treatment cost or timing. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer tools for implementing retargeting ads. You can also use a third-party platform like SharpSpring or AdRoll.
Quick and consistent customer service is an underrated marketing strategy that can define your reputation. Implement a chatbot on your website to answer common questions like office hours, list insurance details, or provide scheduling links. Automated, 24/7 responses can keep prospective patients engaged when your staff is unavailable.
Another customer-focused dental marketing strategy is convenient scheduling for prospective customers at the exact moment they’re interested. A streamlined calendar management app or dentist CRM can help streamline patient communication and increase appointment conversions dramatically.
Provide an option for initial consultations through video calls to cater to a wider audience. This can be especially appealing for those with busy schedules or anxious dental patients who may want reassurance before visiting your office in person.
If you want to stand out from the competition, consider these six creative tactics. Ranging from influencer partnerships to experiential events, these upleveled, yet memorable methods can give your practice an extra edge.
Collaborate with local influencers who align with your values. A micro-influencer with a loyal local following can share positive experiences about your gentle care — especially if they cater to anxious dental patients. Influencers can also drive significant traffic when they discuss their experience with one of your products or services.
To find the right influencer for your dental practice, search Instagram and Facebook for local content creators with a following of 15,000 or more to ensure your investment reaches the masses.
Brand ambassadors are better for forging longer-term partnerships to promote your business. You can hire local “celebrities,” like TV anchors, or partner with patients or employees to share their stories in exchange for small perks like discounts or free cleanings. Their authentic testimonials can encourage their friends and followers to visit your practice.
You don’t have to be a national company to make product placement marketing work for your practice. Collaborate with local television segments, community events, or web shows to subtly feature your clinic. A quick “spotlight” in a lifestyle program or a community fair can raise brand awareness without feeling like a hard sell.
Brainstorm ways to introduce customers to your practice in a casual setting. Set up a temporary booth in malls or at community fairs offering free dental screenings, fun giveaways, or “spin the wheel” prizes. You could also host events that support your community and establish your local presence, such as school supply drives, candy buy-back events after Halloween and Easter, and coat donation events.
Think about how you can define your experience to new customers visiting for the first time; thoughtful touches differentiate your practice from others. Transform your waiting room into a relaxing oasis with calming music, pleasant scents, and educational videos about oral health.
For a fun, interactive twist, build a giant tooth model showing how cavities develop or how to brush and floss properly. You spark curiosity — and future appointments — by giving people a hands-on way to learn about dental health.
Aligning with a meaningful cause can bolster your public image and attract like-minded patients. About 82% of consumers buy from companies that reflect their values, specifically brands prioritizing community service, equity, and sustainability.
All these dental marketing ideas are only effective if you can track their impact and refine your approach continually. Here’s how to ensure your campaigns deliver real growth:
By consistently evaluating these data points, you can refine each dental marketing strategy to ensure you get the best possible results on channels that deliver measurable returns.
Implementing multiple traditional, digital, and alternative marketing approaches lets you create a robust dental office marketing plan that stands out in a crowded market. From optimizing your website for SEO to hosting community events, each tactic works together to build your reputation, attract new patients, and keep existing ones coming back. Mix, match, and measure each of these marketing ideas for your dental office, and you’ll be well on your way to a thriving practice.
Remember, marketing isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing process of experimentation, assessment, and refinement. Over time, you can find the perfect blend of strategies that resonate with your community and fill your chairs.
