Marketing Ideas for Orthodontic Practices To Do Today!

Orthodontic practices flourish when they implement orthodontic marketing ideas and maintain a consistent presence on social media. Such initiatives augment visibility, boost engagement and ultimately, bolster conversion rates.

Over the years, we have partnered with hundreds of Orthodontic practices and gained significant insights into their digital marketing needs. Orthodontic practices stand to reap considerable benefits from digital marketing initiatives.

1) Improve Your Google Maps Ranking

Orthodontists eyeing high-value patients for treatments such as clear aligners or braces need to assess their current standings on Google Maps for relevant search phrases. Understanding your present rank paves the way for strategic improvement.

The key is your practices rankings on Google maps is your Google Business Profile (GBP). Many orthodontists overlook the fact that they can optimize their GBP to climb in the rankings. Google maps optimization depends on three aspects: Prominence, Distance, and Relevance.

Prominence has to do with how well your Orthodontic practice is recognized in your community. The primarily gauge that Google uses to measure this is through inbound links. For instance, a great inbound link for your Orthodontic practice would be to have a local colleague writing an article about your practice. When that article is published on your colleagues blog and if the post includes a link to your website or GBP listing, you’ll be the benefactor of a great link which will help with your prominence ranking.

Distance relates to the geolocation of your practice and where the person is searching from. A Google maps ranking report will help you understand location-based results by indicating your practice’s ranking for different locations.

Below is an example of a Google maps ranking report. Each of the colored dots indicates where this Orthodontic practice is ranking on the Google map when someone searches from that location.

Relevance, lastly, is the congruity between a patient’s search phrase and your GBP information. For instance, if a potential patient searches for “Invisalign near me,” but your GBP category and services do not mention Orthodontics or Invisalign, you may struggle to rank for orthodontic phrases. Thankfully, updating categories is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your relevance.

To find your GBP and begin optimizing for Orthodontic phrases watch this video tutorial. And, for those of you that want to go the extra mile in your Orthodontic optimization check out these ten steps to optimize your GBP listing.

2) Add Social Profile Links to your Google Business Profile

Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) also includes adding social profile links to make your practice more accessible online. 

When a prospective patient searches for orthodontists in the area, your practice should show up with important information like hours of operation, Google reviews, photos, and a link to your website. This GBP search result should also include links to your practice’s social media pages.

Follow these steps to add social links to your GBP:

1. Access your GBP, either through desktop, or the Google Maps app on mobile
2. Select “Edit Profile,” then “Business Information,” then “Contact.”
3. Choose the social media platforms you want to include, and add your practice’s links

If you need help coming up with ideas for your social media platforms, try these FREE Engaging Dental Social Media Post Ideas.

3) Get on TikTok… Yesterday!

Social media ideas for Orthodontic marketing are an indispensable asset in your digital marketing arsenal. Time after time, social media strategies have proven themselves as invaluable tools for orthodontic practices to attract and retain patients. The hottest trend on the street in 2023 for Orthodontic social media marketing is TikTok. TikTok is a mobile video app that has taken the world by storm and you should pay attention because it’s one of the best online avenues for growing a social media following.

Orthodontic TikTok marketing is still in its infancy and most practices have not adopted a successful strategy. Setting up a TikTok account for your Orthodontic practice is simple and free. There is a simple advertising platform as well.

When TikTok orthodontic marketing is one great way to go viral and become more well known in your area. Being visible online is one thing, but it’s a different game altogether to be the chosen one. TikTok Orthodontic marketing is a crucial social-proof marketing tactic. When you boast a larger follower base on your TikTok account, you position yourself as a more qualified choice than your orthodontic competitors.

There’s no need for hesitation when it comes to getting started on TikTok; dive right in! Perfection is not the prerequisite here, rather it’s your sense of exploration and a team willing to engage with enthusiasm. Encountering a creative block? Don’t worry, our extensive guide to TikTok and Instagram reels is at your disposal, ready to inspire and invigorate your digital marketing journey.

4) Post to Instagram Reels

Along with TikTok, your orthodontics practice should be posting to Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels for Dental Practices are a great way to show off your personality, reach your target audience, and potentially even go viral.

Try out some of these Instagram Reels ideas with your orthodontist office:

• Give a tour of your practice
• Demonstrate a procedure like braces installation
• Try out a fun trend like a dance or friendly prank
• Introduce yourself and various team members
• Answer FAQs

If you need more help deciding what to post and how to record the best videos, download our free E-book: The Dentist’s Guide to Attracting New Patients With Social Video

5) Use Instagram Threads

Another social media feature worth exploring for your orthodontic practice is Threads. Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta introduced Threads as a micro-blogging alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter) and has millions of users. 

With new Threads features like web browser compatibility, direct integration with Instagram, and a “liked posts” timeline, Threads continues to improve and expand its functionality. 

Your practice can share orthodontic jokes, FAQs, photos, videos, and more on Threads. If you need help coming up with ideas for what to post on Threads, download these Free Dental Social Media Captions.

6) Connect with Local Social Media Influencers

Tapping into the potential of local social media influencers is one of the most effective methods to attract new patients in your area. Instagram marketing for orthodontists thrives on creating a diverse range of engaging content, and weaving influencers into your content strategy adds a refreshing spin.

Influencers are individuals boasting a substantial social media following, typically no less than 1,000 followers. They lend their voice to promote products and brands while seamlessly blending these endorsements with their regular content. Though influencers with less than 10,000 followers fall into the category of “micro-influencers,” they prove to be highly beneficial if their followers comprise your local community. Indeed, orthodontic influencer marketing tends to outperform traditional advertising due to the trust and credibility these semi-public figures command among potential patients.

To connect with your desired demographic, opt for a local personality to serve as an orthodontic influencer for your practice. This influencer could be a current patient who wields influence in your community, such as a photographer, personal trainer, musician, or blogger. Approach them with a proposition to document their next orthodontic visit and tag your practice, or explore possibilities of partnering for a giveaway. In exchange, you could offer complimentary orthodontic services, discounted products, or other appealing incentives.

Ensure a smooth partnership by downloading our free Influencer Agreement Template before commencing your collaboration. This template will pave the way for your partnership, ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations, and document any discounts or promotional offerings agreed upon.

7) Host a Social Media Marketing Contest

Leveraging practice giveaways and orthodontic contest ideas present an engaging and effortless method to encourage both your team and patients to participate in your orthodontic social media initiatives.

There’s ample room to experiment creatively with orthodontic contests that advocate for healthy oral hygiene habits. Consider hosting a ‘Flossing Challenge’ as illustrated below. Such contests nudge your patients to commit to a 30-day flossing pledge. Upon acceptance of this challenge, encourage them to share their journey by snapping a quick photo, posting it to their personal social media account and tagging your Orthodontic practice. This not only reinforces good habits but also creates a dynamic, interactive platform for your practice’s marketing efforts.

8) Showcase Photos of Your Amazing Patients

You know how one great patient can brighten up everyone’s day? Why not share that sunshine online? Patient photos are a great way to highlight the human element in your practice, create shareable media, and help prospective patients feel at home, and excited about the benefits that treatment can give them. If you know you need more patient photos, but keep struggling to make it happen, here are some tips: 

• Get your team on board with daily or weekly patient photos and make it a habit. You might even incentivize them if they need a push.
• Create a regular system around before and after comparisons that make both your team and your patients proud. 
• Use your office layout to make it fun: have a photo corner with a great backdrop and props. 
• Take advantage of silly moments. 
• Get some social signs. 

One more thing: Don’t forget about HIPAA compliance! You can ensure that you have all of your legal bases covered with our free social consent forms.

Showing interest in the lives of your patients and team members is a powerful way to build relationships. Without a doubt, those strong relationships are what allow your practice to thrive. Not only that, but you can also create great content for your social media pages!

As well as being a great place for promotions, social media can be used to show that you care for your patients’ well-being and that you enjoy working as a team. Use it to show patients that you’re ready and anxious to welcome new patients into your orthodontic practice family.

Undoubtedly, orthodontic social media provides a way for your practice to foster relationships in your local community. By following and liking posts from other local businesses, you stay connected and relevant. Remember, referral sources are relying on social media to provide social proof for your practice.

Share a “Patient of the Day” or “Team Member of the Day” post! Congratulate your team member on a recent accomplishment, or just express your appreciation for them. An important part of orthodontic marketing is simply staying connected on a personal level with your patients.

Some of the most effective posts in your orthodontic social media marketing will actually come from your patients, not from you. For one thing, it’s awesome when a patient snaps a photo at your practice. Apart from connecting with your, all of their friends online will see what a great experience they had with you.

Additionally, share their post on your own practice page and thank them for coming by. Patients starting orthodontic treatment will feel at ease seeing that other patients are having a great experience at your practice.

9) Improve Website Rankings with Technical SEO

The intricate technical elements of orthodontic website SEO often fly under the radar for many practitioners. However, Google’s perspective is quite different.

The search engine giant is vested in delivering an exceptional user experience. Consequently, a sluggish website, broken links, sub-par security, or lack of mobile optimization can result in lower search engine rankings. We’ve estimated technical SEO to be about 30-40% of the ranking algorithm. It’s vital to evaluate the technical proficiency of your website as an integral part of an orthodontic marketing strategy.

Monitor your website speed: The digital world is swift and impatient. Slow page loads often lead to high bounce rates, affecting your search rankings adversely. In an age where first impressions matter, a sluggish website is a deterrent. You have a mere three-second window before nearly half of your potential patients decide to navigate away.

Heighten your website’s security and maintain HIPAA compliance: In healthcare, the necessity for stringent security measures is paramount. A HIPAA non-compliant website puts both your practice and patients at risk of OCR fines. Full security, especially for contact forms, appointment requests, and online payments, is an unequivocal requirement for HIPAA compliance.

Ensure your orthodontic website is mobile-optimized: With a majority of searches being conducted on mobile devices, having a mobile-optimized website is indispensable. Google’s mobile-first indexing underscores this necessity, where lack of mobile optimization can lead to lower rankings.

Is your website SEO-friendly? SEO-optimized websites are a cornerstone of successful orthodontic practices.

10) Modern Aesthetic Orthodontic Website

Nearly every Orthodontist maintains a digital presence with a website, and many of these websites are aesthetically pleasing. However, given the specific demands of Orthodontic clientele, it is essential for these websites to be not only visually appealing but also technologically advanced and user-friendly. Patients seeking Orthodontic care anticipate a seamless, mobile-responsive experience when browsing such websites.

11) Elevate Your Marketing with Innovative Video Content

Despite your endeavors in creating compelling images and articles, without incorporating video marketing, you are merely glimpsing at the potential of online marketing for orthodontists. Nearly all social media algorithms favor video content and push it to the top of your followers feeds. If you’re wanting to get in front of more people you need to start shooting and sharing video content.

Orthodontic video content can be tailored and adapted to fit the unique requirements of each practice, adding depth to your digital marketing strategy. Here are some thought-starters:

• Develop brief informative videos: These could address frequently asked questions, showcase a day in your practice, provide close-up views of your equipment, or demonstrate orthodontic procedures.
• Incorporate videos on your website or landing pages: Presenting your Orthodontic practice through videos can establish a connection with visitors, facilitating their transition from online research to their first appointment. You can also include short description of services and why they are important on your Orthodontic website service pages.
• Engage with social media through fun videos: Creating relatable videos helps foster a sense of community with your audience. Consider employing viral TikTok video concepts for a touch of creativity.
• Skip paying for professional video production: High-quality videos can be achieved with your cell phone camera. Leverage the editing tools, filters and other editing capabilities in free social media tools like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Promote user-generated content: Encourage your patients to submit their own videos. You could create an in-office video hub, conduct quick Q&A sessions, or solicit client testimonials.
• Showcase smile transformations: Highlight your restorative and cosmetic services through before-and-after videos to capitalize on the visual impact.

Feeling camera shy is a common concern. However, comfort in front of the camera grows with practice. Establishing a routine for producing orthodontic marketing videos can greatly reduce anxiety over time.

For further inspiration on creating engaging video content, explore our Instagram story ideas or our comprehensive guide to TikTok and Instagram Reels for orthodontists.

12) Focus Content on Your Awesome Team

Focusing on creating content around the orthodontic practice team members can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, this approach emphasizes the human aspect of the practice, which can help patients feel more comfortable and build a connection with the team. Content that introduces the team, shares their personal stories, highlights their experiences and qualifications, and shows them engaging in their work can build trust with potential patients. They can understand who they are trusting their care to, which could make the decision easier to choose your practice over others.

Highlighting the orthodontic practice team also provides an insight into the culture of the practice. It gives potential patients an idea of the atmosphere, the personalities they will be interacting with, and what to expect during appointments. This kind of content could help reduce anxiety for new patients and reassure them of their decision to entrust their orthodontic needs to your team. Moreover, seeing the same familiar faces on social media or the practice’s website can create a sense of continuity and personal attention, something that is highly appreciated in healthcare.

While educational content is certainly important and can establish the practice as knowledgeable and competent, it is not as personal and relatable as team-focused content. Also, with the saturation of educational content on orthodontics available on the internet, it can be difficult to stand out purely with that type of content. By focusing on the practice team, an orthodontist can differentiate their practice from others, foster a strong sense of community, and ultimately attract and retain more patients.

13) Give Your Online Reputation a Boost

An Orthodontists online reputation is one of the most valuable assets. Primarily your reputation is established through patient reviews on Google. The reason Google reviews are so valuable is because Google is used by approximately 90% of all consumers. On the Bing search engine your Orthodontic practices Facebook reviews are displayed, and on Apple maps your YELP reviews are displayed.

It’s important to ask your best patients for Google reviews. If you don’t ask you’ll not likely get a review. Most reviews that come unsolicited by a Orthodontist or team member are negative reviews. It’s unfortunate but it’s a reality.

You can get more Google reviews by running a in-office Google review campaign. Download our complimentary Google review campaign here.

Orthodontic patients are now more likely than ever to search for online reviews before selecting a new dentist or orthodontist (78%).

It is important to your practice that you collect feedback from your patients. Orthodontists that utilize their online reviews to promote their services reach more patients than those who don’t.

Requesting a review through a text message, while your patient is still in the office, significantly increases the success rate.

14) Respond to Every Patient Google Review

Another way to boost your online reputation is to respond to patient reviews. Responding to Google Reviews is crucial because it provides more social proof that you care about your patients, and have their best interests at heart. 

Just be sure to follow best practices for responding to dental Google reviews. Be professional and kind, don’t fight back with negative commenters, and always stay HIPAA compliant. Use a dental marketing company to automate replies if needed, so that you can respond in a timely manner. 

This free E-book about social proof includes even more helpful tips about responding to reviews: The Complete Guide to Online Reputation Building for Dentists.

15) Become a Giving Practice

One of the best ways to get local media exposure, garner organic shares on social media, and deepen loyalty with your current patient base is to create a culture of giving within your practice. People feel good about businesses that do good, and they want to help when they can. 

• Consider making your practice a base for toy donations at Christmas. 
• Offer select pro bono work to people in need. 
• Let staff members and/or patients choose a charitable organization for you to donate to, or do a fundraiser for one of your own choosing. 
• Download our eBook titled, Why Giving Practices Grow

Once you’ve decided what you want to do, make sure that everyone knows about it! Invite patients to participate, notify local media outlets, share on social media, and take lots of pictures and videos.

16) Do Trending Ideas Before Everyone Else Does

When marketing is a constant effort to produce new content, it’s easy to feel tapped out. But don’t worry! You’re not the only one out there looking for creative ways to communicate. The online world is full of dental and orthodontic organizations with huge teams dedicated full-time to keeping things current and interesting. Follow authoritative resources like the AAO, or favorite brands like Crest to get inspired with holiday ideas, trending topics, and industry news.

If you haven’t checked out the MSP Social Media Academy, sign up for a free 30 day trial. Every day we’re on the lookout for trending social media ideas. We send these ideas out in an email each week to our clients.

17) Promote Free Consultations

The hardest step to attracting new patients is always getting people in the door. Once you create that initial connection, it’s easy to turn a prospective patient into a current patient. Even if investigators don’t immediately sign up for treatment, they’ll come back to you when they’re ready to pull the trigger once they’ve become comfortable with your office. 

So how do you get patients in the door? A free consultation. Most orthodontic offices initial consultations for free, but few know how to truly leverage that fact effectively. Here are some ideas: 

• Leverage local social media influencers by providing an offer to their trusted networks.
• Build a referral campaign via email marketing and encourage current patients to recommend your consultation to a friend. 
• Promote free referrals with a limited-time seasonal date or code. Even if you offer consultations for free all the time, a sense of urgency keeps people from procrastinating. 
• Insert a (user-friendly) popup on your website’s landing page to encourage people investigating your practice online to take that next step.

18) Create a Paid Ad Campaign

Remember when we mentioned how important it is to focus on local marketing? One great way to do that is with paid media. There are plenty of paid media platforms, but perhaps the most popular is Google ads. Whether you enlist a specialist to run your campaigns, or navigate the tools yourself (Google makes it as intuitive and automated as possible) you’ll need to decide which terms to bid for, how to zero in on your target demographic, how much you want to pay per month, and whether you’ll focus on display ads or search ads. 

There are other platforms that you can explore for paid ads, including Facebook, YouTube, and healthcare referrals sites. Whatever platform you choose, your ads will be more effective if you integrate them with a special value offer (i.e. promotional pricing) and a designated landing page.

19) Get Comfortable using AI

Artificial intelligence can be a great tool for saving time and money in your marketing efforts as an orthodontist. Whether you need help with social media, blogging, or physical media, there are several ways you can grow your practice with AI.

One way to get comfortable with AI is by utilizing ChatGPT in dental marketing. ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) that was launched by OpenAI in November 2022. Since then, it has spread like wildfire across every industry—including ChatGPT for Dentistry.

To use ChatGPT for free, simply sign up through OpenAI’s website, and start chatting. (Keep in mind that currently, the free version of this LLM only includes information and data up to September 2021, while the paid version is up-to-date).

Try entering prompts like: 

“Give me 20 social media captions for an orthodontist’s Instagram account with a fun, playful tone and location-specific hashtags” 

“Give me an outline for a 500-word blog post about what to expect at your braces installation appointment”

You can also use AI tools like Midjourney and DALL·E 3 to generate imagery for your orthodontist marketing materials. Just be sure to brush up on copyright laws in the era of AI dental content marketing. 

Download our Free Dental AI Cover Photos for your practice’s social media pages. These fun, colorful images were all created using AI—another example of how this technology can transform your marketing strategy.

20) Improve Search Rankings with a Blog

SEO blog writing for dentists and orthodontists is a proven way to boost your search rankings on Google. By creating custom content consistently, you’re sending a message to Google that your website is an authoritative resource and should be recommended as a search result more often. 

Draw from your own experiences to write blog posts that are informative, easy to understand, and concise. Your orthodontics blog should adhere to Google’s E.E.A.T standards for content: 

• Experience
• Expertise
• Authoritativeness
• Trustworthiness

Remember to post regularly, to make your website more relevant to Google. Download our 5 Free Blog Templates to help you get started, and check out The Beginners Guide To Dental SEO Blogging.

21) Update Your Practice’s Mission Statement (and make sure it’s on your website)

One marketing strategy that helps draw in potential patients is a polished mission statement. A mission statement gives people a clear and concise picture of your practice and sets a clear expectation. 

Craft the perfect dental practice mission statement by figuring out what your values, goals, and purpose are as an orthodontist. 

Adding your mission statement to your website can also help with SEO. As you use keywords in your mission statement and update your website, check out this Free E-book: Don’t Be THAT Dentist! Avoid These 12 SEO Mistakes

22) Find Your Value Proposition and Use it In Your Marketing

A value proposition is similar to your mission statement, but it specifically points out what makes your practice unique from the competition. If your orthodontic practice uses a unique technology or prides itself on putting patient comfort first, highlight those distinct attributes. 

Write your dental practice value proposition with this formula in mind:

1. The solution you offer
2. The benefits of choosing your practice
3. The advantage you have over competitors

Putting these three ideas together looks something like this:

At Local Orthodontics, we straighten out smiles with a patient-first focus and an affordable pricing and financing structure. 

Find more writing tips for your practice in this free Dentist Bio and About Us template.

23) Convert More Website Visitors with Live Chat

Your marketing strategy should also include ways for patients and future patients to easily communicate with you. Along with direct messaging over social media, phone calls, and emails, you can grow your business by offering a live chat option on your website. 

Adding a live chat feature allows your website visitors to get prompt, helpful answers to their questions. While adding a chatbot with pre-selected responses is a good start, escalating unanswered questions to a live representative will do wonders for your website conversions.

If you need help beyond adding a live chat feature, enjoy no setup fee when you build a brand-new website with My Social Practice.

24) Outsource as Much Marketing as You Can

Most orthodontists don’t have the time or resources to champion all of these marketing strategies alone. Outsourcing dental marketing allows your orthodontic practice to grow, while you focus on patient care. 

Dental marketing companies like My Social Practice can take over the brunt of your marketing efforts including:

• Blog writing
• Technical SEO
• Social media management
• Google Maps optimization
• HIPAA compliance
• Responding to reviews
• Live chat
• Ad campaigns
• Orthodontic website optimization

Dental marketing professionals have a firm grasp on what practices need to grow and thrive amidst local competition. They bring a fresh perspective to the table, offer measurable results, and are there to communicate with you every step of the way.

Marketing Ideas for Orthodontic Practices: We’re Here to Help!

This list is just the beginning. There are so many things you can do to increase your orthodontic practice’s visibility online, and you don’t have to do it alone. We help with everything you need to become a lean, mean, marketing machine, from web design to social media support to patient review tools. Reach out today for a free consultation and personalized advice that will help your practice thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Author: Adrian Lefler is a dental marketing expert and a key member of the dental marketing team at My Social Practice. My Social Practice is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Adrian is passionate about helping dental practices grow. If you’d like to book one of the members of My Social Practice’s speaking team, you can do that HERE.