If you’re a dentist or DSO looking to grow your practice in 2025, you’re not alone, but standing out is harder than ever. The competition is fierce, patient expectations are changing, and traditional tactics like postcards or basic websites just don’t cut it anymore. To thrive in today’s market, you need a smarter dental marketing strategy, one that builds trust, improves visibility, and brings in the right patients.
Here are 5 proven dental marketing strategies that will help your practice grow, and the tools and partners that can help you get there.
1. Invest in Local SEO That Actually Ranks
Local SEO is one of the highest ROI marketing strategies for dental practices. Most patients start their search on Google, typing in things like:
- “Best dentist near me”
- “Dentist in [city]”
- “Top 10 dentists in [city]”
If you’re not showing up in local search results for these keywords and other common phrases, you’re probably invisible to most people who are searching online for a dentist.
What you should do:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Build local citations (name, address, phone consistency)
- Add location-based content to your website (ex., blog posts, service pages)
- Encourage patients to leave online reviews, and look for opportunities to appear on podcasts or contribute expert insights to reputable publications.
2. Use Online Reviews to Build Instant Trust
Today’s patients (over 90%) read online reviews the same way they’d ask a friend for a referral. That means your reputation is your brand, and it’s public.
How to maximize this strategy:
- Focus on Google and Yelp reviews, which are more influential than other platforms
- Ask satisfied patients to leave a review immediately after their appointment
- Use review automation software to make it easy
- Respond professionally to all reviews, even the negative ones
3. Leverage Third-Party Directories Patients Already Trust (Like DenScore)
Many dental patients are overwhelmed by too many choices online. That’s why they turn to curated, third-party listings like “Best Dentist in [City]” that appear in Google search results.
Why it works:
- These listings appear on Google and various AI search engines
- They act as trusted recommendation tools
- Patients assume the providers listed are vetted and endorsed
Fun Fact: DenScore stands out as the only company offering curated dental directories and navigation tools created by dental professionals. Unlike platforms like ZocDoc, Yelp, or OpenCare, DenScore ranks dentists based on a variety of relevant factors that matter to patients.
4. Offer an In-House Membership Plan or PPO Alternative
Not all your marketing has to be external. One of the most powerful patient acquisition tools is what you offer inside your practice. With more adults uninsured or frustrated with dental insurance, practices that offer a membership plan have a huge advantage.
Benefits:
- Recurring revenue and stronger patient loyalty
- No claims, no denials, no waiting periods
- Includes discounts on procedures that traditional dental insurance often doesn’t cover
Pro tip: Consider launching your own plan instead of using platforms offered by Kleer, Illumitrac and other companies.
5. Create Targeted Content That Answers Real Patient Questions
The days of handing out brochures are over. Patients today want real information before they call, and that gives you an opportunity to build trust before they walk through the door.
High-converting content ideas:
- Blog posts like “How Does Dental Insurance Work?” or “How Much is Invisalign?”
- Service pages with FAQs and visuals
- Videos introducing your team or explaining procedures
Pro tip: Content that ranks well also gets shared, linked to, and featured in Google’s “People Also Ask” sections, boosting your overall SEO authority.
Final Thoughts
The dental practices that succeed in 2025 will be the ones that market smarter, not louder. That means focusing on strategies that build long-term visibility and trust with the right patients.
Ready to Take Your Marketing to the Next Level?
Whether you’re a solo dentist or leading a DSO, DenScore can help you:
- Increase online visibility through trusted, high-ranking directories
- Attract patients searching for top-rated dental providers
- Break free from marketing agencies that overcharge and underdeliver
Send us a message on DenScore’s ‘Contact Us’ page or email Dr. Kyle Gernhofer at kyle@denscore.com to learn about the various ways we help practices like yours grow for a fraction of what traditional marketing companies charge.
