How to Get a Great Dentist Review That Doubles Bookings

February 23, 2026

Getting a great dentist review is your most effective marketing tool for turning online searchers into new patients. A systematic process for requesting and managing feedback builds trust and social proof, directly increasing calls, messages, and appointment bookings from your Google Business Profile. This guide provides the step-by-step process, templates, and metrics you need to build a powerful online reputation.

For busy practice managers and multi-location operators, a steady stream of positive feedback is about driving tangible results. Patient reviews offer the exact social proof that 93% of consumers now depend on before choosing a local business like a dental practice in [City]. They are a non-negotiable asset for growth.

Key Facts

  • First Impression: Over 75% of patients use online reviews as their first step in finding a new dentist.
  • Conversion Driver: A star rating of 4.5 or higher directly correlates to more clicks and calls from your Google Business Profile.
  • Recency Matters: More than 50% of consumers ignore reviews older than three months, making a consistent flow of new feedback essential.
  • Local SEO Impact: Practices with over 50 recent Google reviews consistently rank higher in the coveted local map pack for searches like "dentist near me."
  • Response Is Critical: Responding to 100% of reviews within 24 hours shows potential patients you are attentive and value feedback.

Step-by-Step: Building Your System for Earning More Patient Reviews

If you’re leaving patient reviews to chance, you're missing out on new patients. A repeatable, well-timed system separates practices that struggle for social proof from those that consistently earn glowing feedback. It's about pinpointing "wow" moments in the patient journey where asking for a review feels like a natural next step, not a chore.

The process boils down to a simple loop: a great experience builds trust, and that trust unlocks a fantastic review.

Infographic showing a great dentist review process with three steps: review, trust, and patient outcomes.

Step 1: Pinpoint the Three Best Moments to Ask

Timing is everything. Catching a patient at the wrong moment makes the ask feel awkward. We’ve found three high-impact windows where patients are most receptive.

  1. Right After a Great In-Office Experience: When a patient is beaming at the front desk, thanking the hygienist, that's your cue. Empower your team to recognize this peak satisfaction and make a simple, personal ask right then.
  2. Within an Hour of Their Post-Appointment Summary: Many practices send a digital visit summary via text or email. This message is the perfect vehicle for a review request, including a direct link to make it simple.
  3. During a Post-Procedure Wellness Check: A follow-up call or text a day or two after a bigger procedure shows you care. Once you confirm they’re happy, it’s a natural transition to ask if they’d be willing to share their experience.

Step 2: Choose the Right Channels for Your Requests

A multi-channel approach ensures you meet patients where they are.

  • SMS (Text Message): This is your go-to for speed. With open rates over 98%, a short, friendly text with a direct link to your Google profile is perfect for the immediate post-appointment ask.
  • Email: Email gives you more room to reinforce your brand with a logo and team photo. It’s a great fit for post-visit summaries and follow-up campaigns.
  • Front Desk Conversations: A personal connection is powerful. Training your front-office team to spot happy patients and make a polite, confident request yields amazing results.

A systematic approach is critical. For dental practices, mastering local search visibility is non-negotiable. A comprehensive approach to reputation management for dentists can put your practice at the top of local search results.

Step 3: Optimize Your Google Business Profile

A glowing review is useless if patients can't find you. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your digital front door. When someone searches "dentist in [City]," Google’s local algorithm prioritizes results based on three factors:

  • Proximity: How close is your practice to the searcher?
  • Relevance: How well does your GBP match the search term (e.g., "emergency root canal in [Neighborhood]")?
  • Prominence: How well-known is your practice? This is heavily influenced by the quantity, quality, and recency of your online reviews.

Google Business Profile Optimization Checklist

  • Correct NAP: Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number are 100% consistent everywhere online.
  • Select All Relevant Categories: Beyond "Dentist," add secondary categories like "Cosmetic Dentist" or "Dental Implants Provider."
  • Upload High-Quality Photos: Post at least 10-15 images of your office, team, and technology. Add more quarterly.
  • Use the Q&A Feature: Proactively add and answer common questions about insurance, parking, and services.
  • Publish Google Posts Weekly: Share practice news or health tips to signal to Google that your profile is active.

For more detailed, step-by-step instructions, check out our guide on how to optimize Google Business Profile.

Templates & Scripts to Put Into Action

A desk with a laptop, tablet, notebook, and pen, showing 'Review Templates' and 'SMS Email' overlays.

A repeatable system needs the right tools. The resources below are designed to be copied, customized, and put to work immediately.

Review Request Scripts

SMS Review Request Template

Hi [Patient Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Practice Name]. It was a pleasure seeing you today! We’d be grateful if you could share your experience with our [City] community. You can leave us a review here: [Direct Link to Google Review]. Thank you!

Email Review Request Template

Subject: How was your visit to [Practice Name]?

Hi [Patient Name],

Thank you for trusting us with your smile. If you have a moment, could you share your thoughts by leaving us a review on Google? Your feedback helps others in the [Neighborhood] area find quality dental care.

Click Here to Leave a Review: [Direct Link to Google Review]

We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing you again!

Sincerely,
The Team at [Practice Name]

Review Response Templates

Responding to every review is non-negotiable. For more examples, see our guide on the best review for a dentist.

Positive Review Response Template

Hi [Patient Name], thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience with [Dr. Name/Hygienist Name]. Making sure our patients feel comfortable is our top priority. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your great dentist review, and we can't wait to see you again!

Negative Review Response Template (HIPAA-Safe)

Dear [Patient Name], thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are sorry to hear your experience did not meet expectations. We take feedback very seriously and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this directly. Please call our Practice Manager, [Manager Name], at [Phone Number].

7-Day Review Program Launch Checklist

Use this simple plan to get your review program running smoothly in one week.

Day Task Objective
1 Setup Choose review software, connect your GBP, and customize templates.
2 Team Training Hold a 30-minute meeting to explain the new process, review scripts, and define roles.
3 Internal Test Send a test request to staff to ensure links work and the process is smooth.
4 Initial Launch Send requests to a small batch of 5–10 patients from that day’s appointments.
5 Monitor & Respond Check for new reviews and reply within 24 hours using the response templates.
6 Review & Adjust Check in with the front desk team and address any friction points.
7 Full Rollout Implement the review request process for all eligible patients going forward.

How to Measure Your Review Program's Success

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Tracking the right numbers connects a great dentist review to a ringing phone and a full schedule.

Key Metrics and Targets

Start by zeroing in on these foundational metrics.

Metric Target Goal Why It Matters
New Review Volume 10-15 per location/month Signals practice relevance to Google.
Average Star Rating 4.5+ Stars The primary trust signal for prospective patients.
Review Recency >50% within 90 days Fresh reviews have more weight with patients and algorithms.
Response Time < 24 Hours Demonstrates attentiveness and excellent patient service.
GBP Profile Views Month-over-month growth Measures increased visibility in local search and Maps.
GBP Clicks-to-Call Month-over-month growth Directly measures new patient interest from your profile.

Tracking Conversions from Your Google Business Profile

The real magic happens when you connect this activity to business results. Keep a close eye on these metrics in your GBP Insights dashboard:

  • GBP Profile Views: Think of this as your digital foot traffic. More views mean you're getting noticed.
  • Clicks-to-Call: This is a high-intent action. Someone saw your profile, was impressed by your reviews, and decided to call.
  • Direction Requests: This is a strong signal of a pending appointment.

To get more granular, use UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) codes on your website link in your GBP. This lets you see in your website analytics exactly how many people clicked from your profile and landed on your site, proving the ROI of your efforts. Learn more in our guide to local SEO reporting.

Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are concise answers to the questions we hear most often from dental practices.

1. What do I do about a negative review that's factually incorrect?
Post a calm, professional, and HIPAA-compliant public response. Never correct the patient or reveal Protected Health Information (PHI) online. Take the conversation offline immediately by providing contact information for your practice manager. Then, flag the review for removal with Google, citing "misinformation" as the policy violation.

2. Can we offer a gift card for a good review?
No. Offering incentives for reviews violates the terms of service for Google and other platforms. It can lead to penalties, including having your reviews removed. Focus instead on providing a great patient experience and making it easy to leave feedback with a simple SMS or email link.

3. How many reviews do we actually need?
Aim for a minimum of 50 high-quality reviews to compete in local search. More importantly, focus on consistency. A steady stream of 10–15 new reviews every month tells Google and potential patients that your practice is active, thriving, and consistently delivering great care.

4. What’s the best way to ask for a review without seeming desperate?
Timing and tone are key. Ask right after a positive moment, like when a patient compliments your staff at the front desk. Frame the request as a way to help others in the [City] community find a great dentist.

5. How does a great dentist review impact my local SEO?
Reviews heavily influence your "prominence" in Google's local search algorithm (proximity, relevance, prominence). High review quantity, quality, and recency signal to Google that your practice is a trusted authority in your area. This directly improves your ranking in Google Maps and the local search results.

6. Should I respond to every single review?
Yes. Responding to 100% of reviews shows you are engaged and value all patient feedback. It makes positive reviewers feel appreciated and demonstrates to prospective patients reading your reviews that you are attentive and committed to patient care.

7. How do I get more reviews if my staff is already too busy?
Automate the process. Use a reputation management platform to automatically send review requests via SMS and email after a patient's visit. This removes the burden from your front desk, ensures consistent timing, and makes it easy for patients to leave a review with a single click.


We build powerful online reputations for dental practices with a disciplined, hands-on approach. We manage everything—from earning new reviews to responding professionally—so you can focus on your patients. Book a strategy call to see how our month-to-month support can turn patient feedback into your most valuable marketing asset.

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