Video SEO for Dentists
Do you often stay up way too late with your phone in hand? Probably. But if you’re a dentist, have you considered whether your content fits the “I should be sleeping but I have one more question” category? Patients aren’t scrolling through pages of dental blogs at midnight.
They’re watching videos. Lots of them. Whether they’re wondering, “Does teeth whitening hurt?” or “How much toothpaste can I eat before I die?” people are searching with their thumbs and clicking on whatever looks the most helpful (or entertaining).
If your videos aren’t showing up in search results or social feeds, you’re basically whispering into the void. Video SEO for dentists helps your content actually get seen, clicked, and shared.
What Is Video SEO for Dentists and Why Should You Bother?
Social media and SEO are like baby goats and tiny knitted sweaters; individually, they are obviously wonderful, but together, they are purely magical.
When people comment on your video about flossing (probably to argue about it), save your whitening tips, or share your Invisalign time-lapse, those actions send little love notes to the algorithm. That boosts your visibility on search engines, too.
The better your videos do on dental social media, the more likely they are to show up when someone Googles “best dentist near me” with a mouthful of regret and a coffee addiction. So yeah, it all works together.
7 Video SEO Tips for Dentists That Work on Search and Social
Want your content to make people and Google happy at the same time? Post videos of baby goats in sweaters. Barring that, try these tips:
1. Use Real Keywords, Not Weird Dentist Jargon
Nobody’s searching for bicuspids. They’re typing “tooth pain won’t go away” or “why do my gums hate me?” Use tools like YouTube’s search bar or TikTok’s Creator tools to see what people are actually asking.
2. Thumbnails Matter
Your video could be pure gold, but if the thumbnail is blurry or boring, people will scroll right past. Show a friendly face, big smile, bold text, or a staff member doing a flip. (Just kidding. Unless you’re good at flips, I guess.)
3. Think About Captions
Not only do captions help people watch with the sound off (aka, everyone watching videos next to a sleeping spouse at 2 am), they also give search engines juicy text to crawl. Bonus: you can reuse the transcript as a blog or Instagram caption. Work smarter, not harder.
4. Metadata Isn’t Just Nerd Stuff
Your video title and description should sound like something a real person would search, like “What to expect at your first dental visit.” Skip the jargon. Add your city name. Boom—local dental SEO.
5. Hook ‘Em Fast
You’ve got 3 seconds before someone swipes past your content. Start with a question, a fun fact, or a dramatic before-and-after. Save the slow intro and logo animation for your artsy indie film debut, not your dental videos.
6. Post it Everywhere
Don’t just drop it on YouTube and call it a day. Repost on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, your dental website, and maybe even your Google Business Profile. Be everywhere your future patients are wasting time.
7. Always Add a CTA
Tell viewers what to do next—call, book, DM, whatever. Don’t wait until the end when everyone’s already moved on to dog videos. Sneak in that call to action early.
Common Video Mistakes Dentists Should Avoid (Seriously, Don’t Do These)
Want your content to be seen? Make sure to avoid these common pitfalls.
Overstuffing Keywords
Keywords are like pepper. A dash can really enhance flavor, and too much makes it seem like perhaps you’re an alien who has never tasted human food (or read human words). Talk like a human and hide your UFO status if you aren’t one. Google likes that.
Posting the Same Video Everywhere Without Tweaks
TikTok wants quick and snappy. YouTube likes longer and more informative. Instagram loves pretty. Give each platform what it wants and your dental social media content will bring in views wherever it’s posted.
Ghosting Your Comment Section
Don’t ignore comments. Say thanks. Answer questions. Algorithms eat up engagement, and patients like knowing there’s a real person involved in your content.
Only Posting Once Every Sixty Business Days
Showing up consistently builds trust and visibility. You don’t need to post daily dental diaries, but once every few months won’t cut it. Schedule it like your hygiene appointments—regularly and without excuses.
Ignoring Your Google Business Profile
You can add your social links right to your GBP, and it costs zero dollars. (For now. Sorry if we’re giving Google ideas.) Yet most dentists forget to add links! Don’t be that dentist. Adding social links helps your dental SEO and gives potential patients a quick path to your content.
Video SEO for Dentists: Your Practice’s Secret Weapon
You already know how to fix smiles. Video SEO is how you help more people figure that out! When your videos are optimized for both search engines and dental social media, they don’t just sit there—they work overtime, bringing in new patients while you’re busy filling cavities and extolling the virtues of fluoride.
Remember: you don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible, helpful, and consistent. Start with one video, follow these tips, and let your content do some heavy lifting for your practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can dentists use video SEO to get more patients?
By optimizing your videos with the right keywords, captions, titles, and thumbnails, you make them easier to find on Google, YouTube, and even TikTok. Answer common patient questions in short videos, include your city or neighborhood for local SEO, and always add a call to action like “Book now” or “Call today.”
What types of videos should a dental practice post for SEO?
Start with patient FAQs: “Does whitening hurt?”, “What’s a root canal?”, or “When should kids see a dentist?” Other great video ideas include behind-the-scenes looks at your office, team introductions, before-and-afters, and quick hygiene tips. Just keep it helpful, friendly, and local. Short-form video works best on most platforms.
Where should dentists post their videos for the best SEO results?
Post your videos on YouTube (great for Google search), Instagram Reels and TikTok (for social discovery), and embed them on your website. Don’t forget to share them on Facebook and add links to your Google Business Profile. The more places your content lives, the more chances you have to show up in search results and attract new patients.
About the Author: Megan Nielsen is an SEO strategist and the Grand Overlord of copywriting at My Social Practice. My Social Practice is a dental marketing company that offers a full suite of dental marketing services to thousands of dental practices throughout the United States and Canada.
