For most people choosing a dentist today, the decision starts online. Reviews, ratings, and search results shape trust long before a patient ever calls your office, which is why dentist reputation management is essential for growth.
Patients aren’t just browsing websites; they’re scanning Google, comparing experiences, and reading feedback. And the data backs it up: 8 in 10 people say online reviews influence which dentist they choose, according to Dentaly. The ADA also reports that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation, making your digital reputation one of your strongest tools for patient acquisition.
How you manage that reputation determines whether your practice gets discovered or overlooked. Claiming your listings, responding to reviews, and consistently gathering feedback directly affect your visibility and how confident new patients feel about choosing you.
For more details on what today’s practices need, see our Essential Tools for Dental Practices.
Claim Your Dental Listings
First, it is important to claim your review pages. Search for your practice on Facebook, Google My Business, Yelp, and YellowPages, and claim the pages. For dentists, it is also important to claim profiles on healthcare-specific review sites such as Vitals, RateMDs, HealthGrades, Zocdoc, 1800Dentist, and Dentistry.com. If you don’t already have a profile on these sites, create one yourself. Make sure your contact information is accurate, including hours, website, services, your business logo, and pictures of your practice. Use keywords that people may use to find your dental practice throughout the listing.
How Can My Practice Get More Reviews?
It’s very simple: Patients will typically leave reviews if asked. Often, it is best to ask by text or email after their appointment, especially if you’ve told them in person that the request is coming. Just like patients are told to brush their teeth every night as a habit, treat asking for reviews as one, too.
Once a review is left, you should respond, regardless of whether the review is positive or negative. For positive reviews, show gratitude and reply promptly, within one day of when the review was posted.
When replying to negative reviews, communicate with empathy and address the concerns if possible. Ask to resolve the issue offline, so that others can see that your practice is professional. These reviews can be a valuable way to gain feedback and highlight areas for improvement, making them a good learning experience.
Another way to gather feedback is to send individual patient surveys. Often with this method, you can directly get in touch with the patient and possibly avoid a negative review by taking care of their concerns before they go public.
Search Engine Optimization For Dentist Reputation Management
Feedback from surveys and reviews is essentially free advertising, so dentists should display them on their websites to present a positive image of their practice. They are also considered fresh content, which is great for search engine optimization of your dental webpage.
Reviews on your listings help with search engine optimization. Profiles with complete, accurate listings and a consistent stream of reviews have a better chance of appearing at the top of the page, in the Google Local pack when someone searches for your area. That way, people will find your practice first and are more likely to schedule an appointment when they are ready to make a decision.
Make Dentist Reputation Management Easy
ReviewInc is a reputation management software that helps dentists increase their online reviews, and claim and update their listings. With ReviewInc, you can see all listings across 600+ review sites and send automated review request campaigns by text or email within minutes.
Questions About Dental Reputation Management
Why do I need reputation management software for my dental practice?
Dental reputation management starts with having a robust online reputation and review management strategy. Online reviews have a significant impact on local search rankings and online visibility, both of which are crucial for attracting new patients. Effective review management not only helps maintain a positive online reputation but also significantly boosts patient trust.
By actively responding to positive and negative reviews, dental practices show attentiveness to patient feedback. This proactive approach is essential for improving search engine visibility and attracting more patients. Studies show that a majority of people now rely on online reviews over traditional advertising when choosing healthcare providers, underscoring their impact on a dental practice’s reputation and patient acquisition.
For more detailed information on improving your dental reputation management strategy, see our comprehensive guide to review management.
How can ReviewInc improve my dental practice reputation online?
In a Consumer Guide to Dentistry survey, 68% of respondents said dentist reviews were “extremely important” when choosing a new dentist. We’ll help you showcase those reviews to the right people, allowing you to stand out and attract more patients.
ReviewInc automates sending review requests and surveys at optimal times, maximizing feedback with minimal effort. This approach boosts your online reviews and local search rankings, drawing more clients.
Learn more in our Guide to Managing Dentist Reviews.
How does ReviewInc motivate patients to post reviews?
ReviewInc streamlines the review process by providing simple and direct ways for dental patients to leave feedback. Here’s how we help dental practices encourage reviews:
Automated Review Requests: ReviewInc sends automated requests via email or SMS after a patient interaction, gently reminding them to share their experience. These requests are timed strategically to coincide with when they are most likely to receive a response.
Easy Access with QR Codes and NFC Tags: Patients can easily leave reviews by scanning QR codes or tapping NFC tags placed in convenient locations, such as at checkout or on a posted sign, making it effortless to access the review page.
Multi-Platform Support: ReviewInc integrates with multiple review platforms, including Google, Facebook, and dental practice-specific sites such as Vitals, RateMDs, HealthGrades, Zocdoc, 1800Dentist, and Dentistry.com. Customers can choose their preferred dentist reputation management platform to post their feedback, which increases the likelihood they will complete the review.
What distinguishes ReviewInc's reputation management services for dental practices?
ReviewInc is distinguished by our technology and personalized service. Our AI-backed reputation management software includes an industry-leading 600 review sites, seamless integration with CRMs, and social media tools.
With phone, email, and chat support, alongside free product updates, ReviewInc ensures your brand is consistently represented across vital digital platforms.
Which review sites does ReviewInc support?
ReviewInc’s platform helps you connect with more than 600 review sites for truly comprehensive coverage. Monitor your reviews and respond to them from a single, easy-to-use platform.
ReviewInc integrates with multiple top review platforms, including Google, Apple, and Facebook, as well as dentist-specific sites such as Vitals, RateMDs, HealthGrades, Zocdoc, 1800Dentist, and Dentistry.com. Customers can choose their preferred platform to post their feedback, which increases the likelihood they will complete the review.
This complete coverage maximizes your dentist reputation management strategy.
Is ReviewInc secure and HIPAA compliant?
Absolutely, we take compliance and security seriously. ReviewInc only encourages the sharing of real reviews from real customers, which is compliant with all review sites. We are independently verified to be secure and HIPAA compliant. Our software comes with security features such as full data encryption and double-encrypted passwords. Read more about our third-party verification on our Awards and Certifications page.
