The Ultimate Guide to Google Reviews for Dentists

Google Reviews can make or break a dental practice.

Potential patients rely on these reviews to choose the right dentist and make informed decisions about their dental care.

Reviews also help in prioritizing patient care by highlighting the importance of dental health and how attentive and knowledgeable staff can make patients feel comfortable.

Let’s dive into why Google Reviews matter for dentists and how to make the most of them.

Learning how to increase Google review numbers is a topic you might need to double-down on.

Why Online Reviews Matter for Dentists

Google Reviews are critical for several reasons:

1. Trust and Credibility: Positive reviews build trust and credibility. Patients are more likely to choose a dental office with good reviews, as they highlight the welcoming atmosphere and professional staff.
2. SEO Boost: More reviews and higher ratings improve your dental practice’s visibility on Google, making it easier for potential patients to find you.
3. Patient Insights: Reviews provide valuable feedback, helping dentists understand what patients appreciate and where improvements are needed.
4. Increased Patient Volume: A strong online reputation attracts more patients, leading to growth and success for your practice.

The digital marketing agency The Kaleidoscope helps businesses in the orthodontic space and has first-hand experience with the importance of reviews:

“Reviews build trust and attract new patients. Positive reviews boost search engine rankings, making us easily discoverable for local patients seeking care.“

“We use Google My Business, Yelp, and Healthgrades. Encourage variety in platforms and focus on authenticity: real patient experiences resonate.

We leverage email invitations after appointments, encourage online reviews directly, and offer incentives for feedback.

We proudly display recent reviews on clients’ websites to build trust and transparency and share positive reviews on social media to showcase patient satisfaction and reach a wider audience.”

How to Encourage Patients to Leave Google Reviews

Encouraging patients to leave reviews can be tricky, but these tips can help:

1. Ask Directly: After a successful appointment, kindly ask your patient to leave a review. Dental professionals can enhance this process by engaging with patients and highlighting the importance of their feedback.
2. Simplify the Process: Provide clear instructions or a direct link to your Google Review page.
3. Follow Up: Send a follow-up email thanking them for their visit and gently remind them about the review. The dental team can play a crucial role in this by ensuring consistent communication and encouraging patients to share their experiences.
4. Incentives: Offer small incentives like a discount on future services for leaving a review.
5. Display Reviews: Show existing reviews on your website to demonstrate the value of patient feedback.
6. Add a feedback form on website: It shows you’re interested in your customers’ opinions!

Responding to Google Reviews

Responding to reviews shows that you care about patient care and your patients’ opinions. Patient reviews are crucial, so here’s how to respond to feedback effectively:

1. Be Prompt: Respond to reviews promptly, whether they are positive or negative.
2. Stay Professional: Maintain a professional tone and thank patients for their feedback.
3. Address Issues: If a review highlights a problem, address it constructively and offer a solution.
4. Personalize Responses: Use the patient’s name and reference specific details from their review to show that you value their input.

Handling Negative Reviews

Negative reviews can be challenging, but they offer opportunities for improvement:

1. Stay Calm: Don’t take negative reviews personally. Stay calm and professional.
2. Acknowledge the Issue: Thank the reviewer for their feedback and acknowledge their concerns about healthcare professionals. This shows that you value their input and are committed to addressing any issues.
3. Offer a Solution: Provide a solution or invite the reviewer to discuss the matter privately. Highlight how healthcare providers can offer comprehensive profiles, reviews, and ratings to help patients make informed decisions.
4. Learn and Improve: Use the feedback to make necessary changes in your practice.

Tips for Maximizing Positive Reviews

Here are some tips that help you get more positive Google reviews.

1. Provide Exceptional Patient Care

The foundation of positive reviews is excellent patient care and even aspects that might feel superficial at first.

After all, almost every professional dentist does a decent job with the actual dental care, but the other stuff is what makes you stand out from other practitioners.

Ensure your dentist office staff is welcoming, friendly, and professional.

Create a comfortable and clean office environment where people feel at ease while waiting for their appointments.

Explain procedures and treatments clearly to avoid any confusion. This is especially important for people who have phobias or bad experiences in the past.

Check in with patients after their appointments to ensure they are satisfied with their care (and see tip number 9).

2. Ask for Reviews

Encouraging patients to leave reviews can be straightforward if done correctly.

Ask for a review when the patient is most satisfied, such as after a successful treatment.

Ask in person or over the phone for a more personal touch.

Send a thank-you email with a gentle reminder to leave a review.

3. Make It Easy

Simplify the process for patients to leave reviews.

Provide direct links to your Google Review page.

Give step-by-step instructions on how to leave a review.

Have a tablet available in your office for patients to leave reviews before they leave.

Use an easy-to-use review form like the one from Trustmary.

4. Offer Incentives

While you can’t pay for reviews, small incentives can encourage patients.

Offer a discount on their next visit, provide small freebies like dental hygiene products, or enter patients into a raffle for a larger prize.

Remember to offer incentives for everyone, regardless of the quality of their review.

5. Showcase Reviews

Displaying existing positive reviews can encourage new ones.

Feature positive reviews prominently on your website. The easiest way to do so is to try Trustmary’s Google review widget.

Share glowing reviews on your social media platforms.

Use printouts of positive reviews in your office waiting area.

6. Respond to Reviews

Show appreciation for every review you receive.

Always thank patients for taking the time to leave a review.

Address them by name and reference specific points they made.

If the review is mixed or negative, address their concerns professionally and offer a solution.

7. Continuously Improve

Use feedback from reviews to improve your practice.

Provide ongoing training for your staff based on feedback.

Make necessary updates to your office based on patient suggestions.

Introduce new services or improve existing ones based on reviews.

8. Engage on Social Media

Being active on social media helps build a positive online presence:

Share regular updates, tips, and patient stories. Respond to comments and messages promptly.

Post screenshots of positive reviews to highlight patient satisfaction – or use Trustmary’s stylish social media sharing feature.

9. Provide an Outlet for Negative Feelings

If you are interested in your patients’ feedback, they don’t have to resort to leaving negative reviews.

Make feedback surveys an integral part of the experience at your practice.

When customers know that their thoughts are taken into account, they don’t have to go out of their way to leave a negative review.

FAQs about Google Reviews for Dental Practices