Reviews are the lifeblood of local SEO for dental practices. They influence both your Google Maps ranking and whether potential patients choose to call you. Yet many dentists struggle to consistently collect reviews, watching competitors with hundreds of reviews dominate local search while they sit with just a handful.
Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever
Reviews directly impact your Google Maps ranking. The numbers tell a clear story:
- 93% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business
- Dental practices in the top 3 of Google Maps have an average of 47 reviews
- A one-star increase in rating can lead to a 5-9% increase in revenue
- 72% of patients won't take action until they've read reviews
Reviews serve two purposes: they signal to Google that your practice is trustworthy and active, and they convince potential patients to choose you over competitors.
The Right Way to Ask for Reviews
Many dentists feel awkward asking for reviews. Here's the truth: patients who had a good experience are usually happy to help—they just need to be asked. The key is making it easy and timing it right.
1. Ask at the Right Moment
The best time to ask is immediately after a positive interaction. This could be:
- After a successful treatment when the patient expresses satisfaction
- When a patient compliments your team
- After resolving a concern effectively
- During checkout when the patient is relaxed and happy
2. Make It Incredibly Easy
Every obstacle you add reduces the likelihood of getting a review. Remove friction by:
- Creating a short link that goes directly to your Google review page
- Generating a QR code patients can scan with their phone
- Sending a follow-up text or email with the direct link
- Having tablets at checkout for immediate reviews
How to Get Your Direct Review Link
- 1. Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard
- 2. Click on “Ask for reviews”
- 3. Copy the link provided
- 4. Use a URL shortener to make it memorable (e.g., bit.ly/yourpracticereview)
3. Train Your Team
Your front desk and clinical staff interact with patients daily. Train them to:
- Recognize positive moments when asking is appropriate
- Use natural language: “We're so glad you had a good experience. Would you mind sharing that on Google?”
- Hand patients a card with the QR code and instructions
- Mention it's quick and helps other patients find good dental care
4. Follow Up (Without Being Pushy)
Not everyone will leave a review on the spot. A gentle follow-up can significantly increase your review rate:
- Send an automated text or email 2-3 hours after the appointment
- Keep the message short and personal
- Include the direct link
- Only follow up once—multiple requests feel spammy
Sample Follow-Up Message
“Hi [Name], thank you for visiting us today! If you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick Google review. It helps other patients find quality dental care: [link]. Thank you! - The team at [Practice Name]”
5. Respond to Every Review
Responding to reviews shows potential patients you're engaged and care about feedback. It also encourages more patients to leave reviews.
- For positive reviews: Thank them personally and mention something specific about their visit
- For negative reviews: Respond professionally, acknowledge their concern, and offer to resolve it offline
What NOT to Do
Google has strict guidelines about reviews. Violating them can result in review removal or even profile suspension:
- Never offer incentives for reviews: No discounts, free services, or prizes in exchange for reviews
- Don't buy fake reviews: Google's algorithm detects these, and the consequences are severe
- Don't ask only satisfied patients: While tempting, this is technically against guidelines
- Don't review-gate: Filtering patients before sending them to Google is prohibited
- Don't have staff leave reviews: This includes family members
Building a Sustainable Review Strategy
The goal isn't a sudden burst of reviews—it's a consistent flow over time. Google values recency and consistency. (Not sure how many reviews you need? Read our guide on how many reviews you actually need.) Here's a realistic approach:
- Set a monthly target (e.g., 4-8 new reviews per month)
- Track your review count and rating weekly
- Identify your “review champions”—team members who consistently generate reviews
- Celebrate milestones with your team (50 reviews, 4.9 rating, etc.)
Dealing with Negative Reviews
Every practice gets negative reviews eventually. How you handle them matters:
- Don't panic or respond emotionally
- Wait a few hours before responding
- Acknowledge their experience without being defensive
- Move the conversation offline: “Please call us at [number] so we can make this right”
- If the review violates Google's policies, flag it for removal
A professional response to a negative review can actually improve perception—potential patients see that you handle problems maturely.
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