The ROI of Frictionless Scheduling: A Case Study in Practice Growth
We live in a truly magical time when your patients can order dinner on DoorDash, schedule a rideshare on Uber, and book a haircut on their phones, and they can do it all in under a minute between doomscrolling on Instagram. But when it comes to scheduling a dental appointment, too many practices are still stuck in the past. Phone calls, voicemails, business hours, and “appointment request” forms create unnecessary friction, and that friction costs patients, revenue, and growth opportunities.
At My Social Practice, we’re problem solvers here to help you bring your practice in line with patient expectations so that you can be the cool dentist. This case study shows how a multi-doctor family practice in South Independence, Missouri transformed its patient acquisition process by combining strategic dental advertising with an online scheduler built specifically for dentists. The results? A staggering 4,210% increase in appointments and nearly $100,000 in revenue… all in just four months. (Yep! You read those numbers right.)
The Problem: Appointment “Requests” Don’t Cut It Anymore
Before partnering with My Social Practice, this family dental office relied on a traditional appointment request form on their website. Patients could submit their preferred time, but confirmation required a manual follow-up from the front desk.
It sounds simple enough, but in reality, it created roadblocks:
- Patients could only request during office hours.
- No instant confirmation meant uncertainty.
- Many patients dropped off before completing the process.
The numbers tell the story. Over four months with an appointment request form, the practice booked just 19 appointments, welcomed 14 new patients, and generated $4,750 in revenue.
For a busy multi-doctor practice, that’s barely scratching the surface of their growth potential.
The Solution: Frictionless Scheduling Meets Dental Advertising
To remain competitive in an instant gratification-focused digital world, dental practices need two things:
- Visibility – Your practice must show up when patients search for a dentist.
- Convenience – Once they find you, scheduling must be as effortless as ordering takeout.
That’s why this practice adopted a two-part strategy (and it’s a pretty great one, if we do say so ourselves):
1. Online Scheduler for Dentists
Unlike appointment requests, the My Social Practice Online Scheduler lets patients book real appointments instantly, 24/7, on any device. Key features include:
- Real-time confirmation — no follow-up calls, no waiting.
- Mobile-first design — mobile-optimized for how patients actually book.
- PMS integration — syncs with Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, and more.
- Custom controls — doctors set their availability, appointment types, and provider schedules.
- Frictionless UX — no logins, no downloads, no barriers.
This shift from “requesting” to true scheduling eliminates patient uncertainty, reduces front desk workload, and creates a seamless first impression.
2. Strategic Dental Advertising
The second piece of the puzzle was paid advertising. My Social Practice launched a multi-channel dental advertising campaign with a focus on measurable ROI.
This included:
- Search PPC ads targeting high-intent patients actively looking for a dentist.
- Social ads that increased local reach and engagement.
- Display and native ads reinforcing brand visibility.
- Video ads capturing attention across streaming and social platforms.
- Review ads leveraging social proof to build trust.
With a $9,000 investment over four months, the campaign drove highly qualified traffic directly into the online scheduler like a dental pied piper but with a happy ending. By aligning advertising with instant booking, the practice maximized every dollar spent.
The Results: A 4,210% Increase in Appointments
The transformation was immediate and dramatic. After four months of using the online scheduler for dentists in combination with strategic dental advertising, the practice saw:
- 819 appointments → a 4,210% increase
- 132 new patients → an 842% increase
- $97,500 in revenue → a 1,952% increase
Talk about growth! Working together, we saw a complete reimagining of what’s possible when advertising and scheduling work together.
Compare that to their results with an appointment request form:
| Metric | 4 Months with Request Form | 4 Months with Online Scheduler = Ads | % Increase |
| Appointments | 19 | 819 | +4,210% |
| New Patients | 14 | 132 | +842% |
| Revenue | $4,750 | $97,500 | +1,952% |
This side-by-side contrast makes one thing crystal clear: ads alone won’t grow your practice if patients can’t easily book. But pair dental advertising with an online scheduler for dentists, and the results are transformative.
Why This Works: Everybody Wins
The numbers follow a simple logic. The success of this practice came from removing barriers for everyone involved.
- Patients win: They get the freedom to schedule instantly, on their own terms. No waiting, no voicemails, no guessing.
- Front office staff win: Less time on scheduling calls means more time for meaningful patient interactions.
- Doctors win: More patients, more revenue, and more predictable growth.
It’s a true win-win-win.
The Bigger Picture
These results aren’t an outlier. As dental marketing professionals, we see this case reflecting a major shift in how patients choose healthcare providers. Today’s patients live in a mobile-first world, and they expect both convenience and visibility.
- 70% of millennials prefer booking online instead of calling.
- 64% of appointments are scheduled outside standard office hours.
- Nearly 1 in 5 patients abandon the process if booking feels complicated.
That’s why pairing dental advertising with an online scheduler for dentists is so powerful. Advertising ensures your practice is seen at the exact moment patients are searching, while the scheduler removes friction and lets them book instantly.
For modern dental practices, this is a new standard for growth!
Key Takeaways for Dentists
This case study highlights several lessons for practices looking to grow:
- Appointment requests are outdated. Patients want to book, not wait.
- Dental advertising without a frictionless scheduler wastes ROI. Ads can drive demand, but if booking is hard, patients bounce.
- Online schedulers for dentists convert better. Instant confirmation keeps patients committed.
- The combination of advertising + scheduling is unstoppable. Visibility brings new patients in, and frictionless booking ensures they don’t slip away.
Ready to See These Results for Your Practice?
Your patients are already online, searching for a dentist. They’re ready to book, and if you don’t make it easy, they’ll go elsewhere.
With My Social Practice’s Online Scheduler for dentists and data-driven dental advertising campaigns, your practice can:
- Increase patient acquisition.
- Enhance local visibility.
- Maximize ROI on every advertising dollar.
- Build lasting trust with the right patients.
It’s not just a tech tool. It’s a growth engine.
Schedule a demo today and see how easy it can be to transform your scheduling process and maximize your dental advertising results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an appointment request form and an online scheduler for dentists?
An appointment request form only collects a patient’s preferred time. The front desk still has to call or email to confirm. An online scheduler for dentists, on the other hand, shows real-time availability and confirms appointments instantly. Patients get certainty right away, which dramatically reduces drop-offs.
How does dental advertising work with an online scheduler?
Dental advertising drives traffic to your practice’s website, social media, or Google Business Profile. When paired with an online scheduler for dentists, patients can book the moment they click your ad. This eliminates friction and maximizes ROI — no wasted ad dollars on leads that don’t convert.
Is online scheduling secure and compatible with dental practice management systems?
Yes. My Social Practice’s Online Scheduler integrates seamlessly with leading PMS platforms like Dentrix, Eaglesoft, and Open Dental. It updates availability in real time to prevent double-booking, and all patient data is handled securely.
How much ad spend do I need to see results from dental advertising?
Budgets vary depending on your market, competition, and goals. In our South Independence case study, a $9,000 ad spend over four months drove 819 appointments and $97,500 in revenue. The key isn’t just how much you spend, it’s ensuring your ads are well-targeted and paired with frictionless scheduling.
How quickly can my practice start using an online scheduler for dentists?
Most practices are live within a week. Our team handles the heavy lifting — from PMS connection to setup and customization. Once it’s active, you’ll start receiving real appointments right away, and your ads will immediately begin working harder for you.
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.
