Understanding External Links for Dentists

Table of Contents

• External Links vs. Internal Links vs. Backlinks – The Link Family Explained
• The Trust Factor: Why External Links Make Your Dental Practice Look More Credible
• Debunking the Biggest Myth: External Links Don’t Drain Your SEO Power
• 5 Ways External Links Supercharge Your Dental Website’s SEO
• The DENTAL Framework for External Linking
• External Linking Dos and Don’ts for Dental Websites
• Best Sources for Dental External Links
• How AI is Changing the External Linking Game
• Measuring the Impact of Your External Linking Strategy
• Ready to Master External Links for Dentists?
• FAQ

External Links vs. Internal Links vs. Backlinks – The Link Family Explained

Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s clear up the confusion around different types of links. Think of links like the relationships in your dental practice:

Internal links are like referrals within your own practice. When you link from your “dental implants” page to your “oral surgery” page, that’s an internal link. You’re keeping patients within your own ecosystem, showing them related services, and helping Google understand how your content connects.

Backlinks are like referrals FROM other practices or businesses TO your practice. When the local Chamber of Commerce website links to your dental practice, that’s a backlink. These are golden for SEO because they’re essentially other websites vouching for your credibility.

External links (also called outbound links) are like when you refer a patient to a specialist outside your practice. When you link from your dental website to the American Dental Association’s guidelines on oral hygiene, that’s an external link. You’re sending people away from your site to find valuable information elsewhere.

Here’s where most dentists get it wrong: they think external links are bad because they “send patients away.” But when done right, external links actually make your dental website MORE attractive to both search engines and potential patients.

The Trust Factor: Why External Links Make Your Dental Practice Look More Credible

Imagine you’re at a dinner party, and someone starts talking about dental health (which we assume is exactly what people talk about at dinner parties). Person A makes claims without backing them up: “Trust me bro, you should floss daily.” Person B references actual research: “According to the American Dental Association’s latest guidelines, which I have memorized, daily flossing reduces your risk of gum disease by up to 40%.”

Who are you more likely to trust? Obviously Person B, right? And you’ll probably invite them to movie night, because what a hoot.

You’re not going to believe this, but the above scenario was actually a clever metaphor. This conversation perfectly illustrates what external links do for your dental website. When you cite reputable sources, you’re essentially saying, “Don’t just take my word for it—here’s what the experts say.” This builds massive credibility with potential patients who are researching dental procedures online. And guess what? Google notices this too.

Search engines view external links to authoritative sources as a sign that your content is well-researched, trustworthy, and valuable. They’re like having character references for your dental website content.

Debunking the Biggest Myth: External Links Don’t Drain Your SEO Power

Grab your helmet and shoulder pads and let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Many dentists avoid external links because they’ve heard they “leak link juice” or “give away SEO power.” This myth has been floating around the dental marketing world for years, and it’s time to put it to rest, just like that poor elephant we just concussed.

Google has repeatedly clarified that external links don’t drain your SEO authority. John Mueller, Google’s former Search Advocate, put it bluntly: external links “aren’t specifically a ranking factor,” but they also don’t hurt your rankings when used appropriately.

In terms we can all appreciate, if you have a pizza with 8 slices, sharing one slice doesn’t make your remaining 7 slices smaller or less delicious, unless the pizza has pineapple on it, in which case you should toss the whole thing and try again. Your SEO authority works similarly. Linking out to quality sources doesn’t diminish what you have; it just shows you’re generous with valuable information.

5 Ways External Links Supercharge Your Dental Website’s SEO

Now that we’ve busted the “link juice” myth and made a specific subset of pizza fans angry, let’s dive into the actual benefits external links provide for your dental practice’s search engine optimization. These aren’t theoretical advantages. They’re real, measurable improvements you can expect when you start incorporating strategic external linking into your dental content. Each of these benefits works together to create a stronger, more authoritative online presence for your practice.

1. Enhanced Credibility with Google and Patients

When you consistently link to authoritative dental and medical sources, you’re signaling to Google that your content belongs in the same “neighborhood” as these trusted sites. Over time, this association can boost your own site’s perceived authority.

2. Better Semantic Understanding of Your Content

Google uses something called the Knowledge Graph to understand how different concepts, entities, and topics relate to each other. When you link from your dental implant page to the ADA’s position paper on implant success rates, you’re helping Google understand that your content is legitimately connected to recognized dental expertise.

3. Improved User Experience and Time on Page

Here’s a counterintuitive fact: external links can actually increase the time people spend on your website. When you provide valuable external resources, users often return to your site after checking out the additional information. They see you as a helpful curator of dental knowledge, not just someone trying to keep them trapped on your site.

4. Potential for Reciprocal Relationships

While you should never link out solely to get links back, external linking can open doors. When you reference another dental professional’s research or cite a dental organization’s guidelines, you’re putting yourself on their radar. This can lead to relationship-building opportunities, speaking engagements, or even natural backlinks down the road.

5. AI and Featured Snippet Advantages

As AI-powered search results become more common (think Google’s AI Overviews), search engines increasingly favor content that cites credible sources. When you link to authoritative dental sources, you’re more likely to be featured in AI-generated answers and featured snippets.

The DENTAL Framework for External Linking

Here’s a simple framework to remember when adding external links to your dental website content:

D – Determine Relevance to Your Dental Content

Every external link should directly support the point you’re making. If you’re writing about tooth whitening procedures, linking to ADA guidelines on whitening safety makes sense. Linking to a general health website about nutrition doesn’t.

E – Evaluate Source Authority and Trustworthiness

Not all websites are created equal. Stick to recognized authorities in dentistry and healthcare. When in doubt, ask yourself: “Would I recommend this source to my own patients?”

N – Navigate to Original Sources, Not Aggregators

Always try to link to the original research or guidelines rather than a blog post that summarizes them. If the ADA published new guidelines on oral cancer screening, link directly to the ADA rather than a dental blog that wrote about those guidelines.

T – Target the Right Anchor Text

Instead of using generic phrases like “click here” or “read more,” use descriptive anchor text like “ADA guidelines for pediatric dental care” or “CDC recommendations for oral health.” This helps both users and search engines understand what they’ll find when they click.

A – Audit Regularly for Broken Links

Nothing kills credibility faster than broken links. Set up a quarterly audit to check that all your external links still work. There are tools that can help automate this process.

L – Limit Quantity While Maximizing Quality

Don’t turn your dental blog posts into a link farm. A few high-quality, relevant external links are infinitely better than dozens of loosely related ones. Focus on adding links that genuinely enhance your content.

External Linking Dos and Don’ts for Dental Websites

Theory is great, but let’s get practical. After working with hundreds of dental websites, we’ve seen the same mistakes over and over again, as well as what works. This section is your field guide to external linking success. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll avoid the common pitfalls that can actually hurt your SEO efforts.

What TO Do When Linking Externally

Link to Original Research and Studies

When you mention statistics or research findings, always try to link directly to the source. If you say “Studies show that 90% of dental implants are successful after 10 years,” link directly to the peer-reviewed study that found this, not a blog post that mentioned it.

Use Descriptive Anchor Text

Your anchor text should give readers a clear idea of what they’ll find when they click. Examples of good anchor text for dental sites:

• “ADA’s position on silver diamine fluoride”
• “CDC guidelines for dental infection control”
• “Mayo Clinic’s explanation of TMJ disorders”

Open Links in New Tabs

This is a simple UX improvement that keeps your website open while allowing users to explore external resources. It’s like holding their place in a book while they check the footnotes. You’re so helpful.

Cite Sources Properly

While not every external link needs a formal citation, important claims should be properly attributed. This is especially important for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content, which includes dental and medical information.

Regular Link Audits

Set up a quarterly review of your external links. Websites change, pages get moved, and links break. Nothing undermines your credibility faster than sending patients to a “404 Not Found” page.

What NOT to Do (Common Dental Website Mistakes)

Linking to Competitors Unnecessarily

While there might be rare cases where linking to a competitor makes sense (like if they published groundbreaking research or if they support your opinion on pizza toppings), you should generally avoid sending potential patients to competing dental practices. There are almost always neutral, authoritative sources you can use instead.

Using “Click Here” or Generic Anchor Text

Phrases like “click here,” “read more,” or “visit this site” waste an opportunity to provide context and can actually hurt your SEO. They tell neither users nor search engines what to expect from the link.

Overlinking Every Page

Not every page needs external links, and not every claim needs a citation. Use external links strategically where they add real value, not just to check an SEO box.

Linking to Low-Quality or Spammy Sites

This can actually hurt your SEO and user trust. If you’re not sure about a source’s credibility, do some research or find an alternative. Your reputation is tied to the sources you cite.

Forgetting to Check for Broken Links

Broken external links are worse than no links at all. They frustrate users and signal to search engines that your content might be outdated or poorly maintained.

Best Sources for Dental External Links

When it comes to external linking for dental practices, not all sources are created equal. Here are the gold standard sources you should consider:

Tier 1 (The Heavy Hitters):

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Tier 2 (Solid Professional Sources):

• Dental schools and their research departments
• Professional dental journals (Journal of the American Dental Association, etc.)
• Specialty organizations (American Academy of Periodontology, etc.)
• State dental associations
• Evidence-based dentistry resources

Tier 3 (Use Sparingly but Can Be Valuable):

• Reputable medical websites (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic)
• Well-researched articles from established dental publications
• Government health departments (.gov sites)
• Academic research institutions

What to Avoid:

• Wikipedia (though you can check their sources and link to those instead)
• Outdated medical information
• Sites with questionable credentials or obvious bias

How AI is Changing the External Linking Game

The rise of AI in search is changing how external links impact your dental SEO strategy. Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT’s web browsing, and other AI-powered search tools are increasingly looking for content that cites credible sources.

When someone asks an AI assistant about dental procedures, the AI is more likely to reference and cite content that includes links to authoritative sources. If your blog post about dental implants cites ADA guidelines and links to peer-reviewed research, it’s more likely to be featured in AI-generated answers.

Voice Search Implications

As more patients use voice search to ask questions like “How long do dental crowns last?” or “What are the side effects of teeth whitening?”, search engines favor content that can provide authoritative, well-sourced answers. External links to credible sources help establish your content as trustworthy and comprehensive.

Future-Proofing Your Strategy

The trend toward AI-powered search results means that well-sourced content with strategic external links will become even more valuable. Start building this habit now, and you’ll be ahead of the curve as search technology continues to evolve.

Measuring the Impact of Your External Linking Strategy

Measuring the success of your external linking strategy requires looking at several different metrics:

Website Analytics to Track:

• Time on page (well-placed external links often increase this)
• Bounce rate (quality external links can reduce bounces)
• Pages per session (good external links encourage exploration)
• Conversion rates (trusted content converts better)

SEO Tools for Monitoring:

• Google Search Console for overall site performance
• SEMrush or Ahrefs for tracking keyword rankings
• Screaming Frog for technical link audits
• Google Analytics for user behavior metrics

What Metrics to Watch:

• Ranking improvements for target keywords
• Increases in organic traffic
• Improvements in user engagement metrics
• Growth in branded search queries

When to Adjust Your Strategy:

• If you notice broken links during audits
• When new authoritative sources become available
• If user engagement metrics decline
• When industry guidelines or research updates

Remember, the impact of external linking on SEO is often gradual and works best as part of a comprehensive dental marketing strategy. Don’t expect overnight changes, but do expect steady improvements in credibility and user trust over time.

At My Social Practice, we understand that effective dental SEO requires a comprehensive approach that includes strategic external linking as part of a broader optimization strategy. Our expert team helps dental practices build authority through well-researched content and strategic linking that connects your practice with the most credible sources in dentistry and healthcare. Plus, we track all the fancy metrics mentioned above so that you don’t have to.

Ready to Master External Links for Dentists?

External links are the unsung heroes of dental SEO. While they might not have the immediate impact of a great backlink or the obvious benefits of solid internal linking, they play a crucial role in building the credibility, authority, and user experience that modern search engines—and your patients—are looking for.

Start small: pick one blog post or patient education page and add 2-3 high-quality external links to authoritative dental sources. Monitor how it performs, and gradually incorporate external linking into your regular content creation process. Your dental practice’s online authority will grow steadily, and you’ll be building a foundation for long-term SEO success.

Ready to take your dental SEO strategy to the next level? Our team at My Social Practice specializes in comprehensive SEO strategies for dental practices, including strategic external linking, technical optimization, and content development that builds real authority in your local market.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.