Whether you’re in the process of starting a dental practice, or you already own or manage a dental practice, you know that you need a steady stream of new dental patients every year to grow your business. It is not just about adding a few patients. The average attrition rate for a dental practice is about 17% per year. If you have a healthy, single-dentist practice with 1,500 to 2,000 patients, you would need to replace 255 to 340 patients every year—or about 20-30 new patients every month—to maintain your current client base.
Patients also move, stop going to the dentist, and decide to switch providers. Over the past two years, the pandemic discouraged many patients from making appointments, and some never came back. So your patient loss may be more significant.
In today’s crowded marketplace, you need to differentiate yourself from your competition to acquire and retain new clients. According to the American Dental Association, “attracting and retaining patients is about creating value for them as a medical professional and business owner, and a friend.”
Creating a Strategic Marketing Plan
A well-thought-out marketing strategy is key to consistently bringing in new patients while keeping your existing ones engaged. Start by identifying the marketing channels that are most relevant for your practice, whether it’s social media, local advertising, or email campaigns. Set realistic goals based on your unique practice needs. Are you aiming to increase monthly new patient numbers? Do you want to raise awareness of specific services? Define what success looks like for you, and prioritize strategies that align with these goals.
Budgeting is equally important—especially for small practices. Determine how much you can comfortably invest in each channel without overextending. Consider what in-house resources you have, and identify areas where you might benefit from external support, like a dental marketing expert or AI-driven lead engagement platform. With a strategic approach in place, you’ll be well-positioned to build and retain a loyal patient base.
28 Ways to Attract New Patients to Your Dental Practice
Attracting new patients is essential for any thriving dental practice. With more dental offices and options available to patients than ever, standing out requires a blend of smart marketing, exceptional dental service, and engaging patient experiences. The following 28 strategies cover everything from digital marketing tips to creating a welcoming office environment, helping you bring in new patients and retain their loyalty.
1. Focus on Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets your practice apart from the competition, making it one of the most powerful tools to attract new patients. Identifying what makes your practice unique—whether it’s advanced technology, a focus on family-friendly care, or extended hours—helps patients quickly see why they should choose you over another provider. For example, a practice that highlights gentle, anxiety-free care can appeal to patients who may have avoided dental visits in the past.
2. Identify Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
Identifying your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is essential for effective dental practice marketing. By understanding the demographics, preferences, and needs of your ideal patients, you can tailor your marketing strategies to attract new dental patients who are most likely to benefit from your services. Start by analyzing customer data—such as age, dental office location, and common dental concerns—to build a clear picture of who typically seeks out your services.
3. Create a Robust, Intuitive Website
A well-designed, informative website is one of the most powerful tools to attract new dental patients. In today’s digital age, patients often research practices online before booking an appointment, so your website should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and accessible on any device. A responsive design ensures that your site looks great and functions well, whether patients are browsing on a phone, tablet, or computer.
4. Offer 24/7 Online Appointment Scheduling
Offering 24/7 online appointment scheduling is a game-changer for attracting new dental patients. Today’s patients want flexibility and convenience, with more than 75% preferring the option to schedule, cancel, or reschedule appointments at any time. By integrating AI-led scheduling tools, your practice meets this demand, making it easy for patients to book appointments without the hassle of waiting on business hours or phone availability.
5. Invest in Full-Service AI Software
Investing in full-service AI software equips dental practices with a powerful tool to manage patient communications and streamline complex scheduling needs. AI-powered chatbots on dental websites can handle basic questions, such as office hours or directions. But full-service AI goes much further, addressing the unique demands of dental scheduling models. For practices offering multi-service appointments or managing multiple patients per visit, AI software can organize complex scheduling with ease.
6. Create a Robust Google Business Profile
A well-maintained Google Business Profile is essential for attracting new dental patients by boosting your practice’s visibility in local search results. When people search for a dentist nearby, Google often displays profiles of relevant local practices at the top of the page. By creating a detailed profile that includes accurate contact information, office hours, services offered, and photos of your practice, you make it easy for potential patients to find and choose your practice.
7. Produce and Distribute Helpful Content
Investing in content marketing is a powerful way for dental practices to attract new patients by showcasing expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. By creating and sharing helpful content—such as blog posts, videos, or social media updates—you can educate potential patients on common dental concerns, preventative care, and what to expect during specific dental treatments.
8. Add Your Dental Practice to Online Directories
Adding your dental practice to online directories is an effective way to increase visibility, boost credibility, and attract new patients. Directories like Healthgrades, Yelp, and Zocdoc are commonly used by people searching for local healthcare providers, and being listed on these platforms can help your practice appear in more search results. Each listing you create strengthens your online presence, making it easier for potential patients to discover your services.
9. Leverage Local SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) enhances your website’s visibility in search results, especially for local searches. Local SEO strategies include adding location-based keywords to your content and service pages. This makes it more likely that your practice will appear when patients search for terms like “dentist near me.”
10. Invest in Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising helps dental practices get noticed fast. With PPC ads, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a cost-effective way to reach potential patients. PPC ads appear at the top of search results, giving you instant visibility for local search terms, which is essential for attracting new patients.
11. Retarget Visitors with Display Advertising
Display advertising uses visual ads—like banners or images—to grab people’s attention and retarget website visitors. Retargeting allows you to reach people who previously visited your website, keeping your practice top-of-mind and encouraging them to book an appointment if they didn’t previously.
12. Invest in Video Marketing
Videos can connect with potential patients by demonstrating what makes your practice unique. Short videos to introduce your team, explain services, or address common questions help build trust. Video testimonials from real patients can be especially powerful, showing positive experiences to make new patients feel more comfortable.
13. Take Advantage of Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms are invaluable for reaching new dental patients. With social advertising, you can target specific audiences based on location, interests, or demographics, helping you reach people in your community. Sharing patient success stories on social media further builds trust and credibility.
14. Work with Top Dental Influencers
Dental influencers are professionals or content creators with strong followings in the dental industry. By partnering with these individuals, your practice can reach a new, engaged audience who may be more likely to trust a recommendation from a familiar voice, attracting new patients and boosting credibility.
15. Conduct Email Marketing Campaigns
Email marketing allows dental practices to engage new and existing patients with educational tips, updates on new technologies, or check-up reminders. This approach keeps your practice top of mind, while special promotions or discounts provide incentives for new patients to schedule appointments.
17. Expand Your Reach with Local Radio Advertising
Radio advertising is an effective way to reach community members. Radio ads let you promote new patient specials or seasonal offers, helping listeners remember your practice. Partnering with locally trusted radio personalities for endorsements adds credibility, encouraging listeners to trust your practice.
18. Run Ads in Local Print Publications
Ads in local print publications reach community members who prefer traditional media. Print ads can highlight community involvement, new patient specials, or testimonials from satisfied patients, making your practice appealing to potential patients looking for a trustworthy, local dentist.
19. Provide a Relaxing Office Atmosphere
Creating a stress-free office atmosphere helps patients feel comfortable and valued. Patients with a positive experience are more likely to return and recommend your practice to others, which is invaluable for attracting new patients through word-of-mouth referrals.
20. Offer Teledentistry Services
Offering teledentistry services can be a major draw for patients who value convenience. Teledentistry lets patients connect with a dentist remotely for consultations or follow-ups. This modern approach expands access to your services and helps attract patients looking for flexible care options.
21. Provide Excellent Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is essential for attracting and retaining new patients. Timely communication, quick responses, and empathetic care build trust. Patients who experience great service are more likely to recommend your practice to friends and family.
22. Offer New Patient Specials
New patient specials, like discounted cleanings or exams, encourage people considering a new dentist to choose your practice. These specials help make a great first impression, increase patient acquisition, and give new patients a reason to return for future care.
23. Offer Membership Plans
Membership plans offer patients predictable costs for dental care and added perks, like free preventive care or discounted treatments. Tailored plans for families or local businesses attract diverse patient groups and foster long-term loyalty.
24. Establish a Patient Referral Program
A referral program incentivizes current patients to refer friends and family, tapping into word-of-mouth marketing. Rewards, such as discounts or free dental products, encourage patient advocacy, helping you attract new patients through trusted recommendations.
25. Encourage Customer Reviews
Positive online reviews build credibility and attract new patients. Encouraging happy patients to share their experiences enhances your online reputation, making it easier for prospective patients to choose your practice over others.
26. Accept a Variety of Insurance Plans
Accepting a range of insurance plans broadens your appeal by reducing financial barriers for patients. Being in-network with multiple providers makes your practice accessible and positions you as a versatile provider capable of meeting diverse patient needs.
27. Offer Flexible Payment Plans
Flexible payment plans make dental care accessible to out-of-network or uninsured patients. Options like monthly installments or sliding scales attract cost-conscious patients who might otherwise delay necessary care, helping you reach a broader patient base.
28. Sponsor Community Events
Sponsoring community events enhances your visibility and reputation within the community. Participating in or supporting health fairs, school events, or charity runs builds goodwill, making potential patients more likely to choose your practice when they need dental care.
Converting New Leads with Dental Lead Engagement Software
Generating leads is only half the battle; converting those leads into patients requires prompt and effective follow-up. This is where dental lead engagement software can make a significant difference. One of the biggest advantages of dental lead engagement software is that it allows dental practices to follow up with leads immediately. Today’s patients expect quick responses to their inquiries. If the practice waits too long to respond, the lead may lose interest and look elsewhere.
Modernize Your Dental Practice with TrueLark
TrueLark is an advanced AI-powered dental appointment system designed to help you attract new patients and improve communication. It simplifies interactions, making it easy for potential patients to connect with your practice and schedule appointments seamlessly. This modern approach not only streamlines booking but also strengthens relationships with existing patients, helping them feel valued and supported. With TrueLark, you can boost patient engagement and retention, setting your practice apart in a competitive market.
Ready to see how it can transform your patient acquisition? Book a demo with TrueLark today and unlock the potential of AI in your individual practice or DSO network.
