Quick Tip: Is Facebook Still Worth It for Dental Practices?
Yes, as long as you keep expectations realistic. Facebook is no longer the trendy place to be, but it’s still where a huge share of your patients spend time. Pew Research’s 2025 survey found 71% of U.S. adults use Facebook, compared with 50% for Instagram. You don’t need to go all in, but you shouldn’t abandon your page either.
Why?
Think of Facebook as the community bulletin board of the internet. It may not be flashy, but it’s where neighbors share recommendations, local news travels, and people check out businesses before they call. A 2024 Hootsuite survey found that two-thirds of users look at local business pages at least once a week, which is exactly the kind of habit a dental practice wants to tap into.
Facebook is also built for community. Private groups are one of its standout features, and they’re a big reason local news and neighborhood conversations still live there. If someone in your town asks “anyone have a good dentist?”, that conversation is probably happening on Facebook.
The catch is reach. Organic reach on Facebook has dropped over the years, so posting alone won’t get your content in front of everyone who follows you. Many practices pair a steady organic presence with a small dental ad budget to make sure the right local folks actually see their posts.
Best Practices
✔ Keep your page fully filled out: hours, phone number, address, services, and a call-to-action button
✔ Respond quickly to comments, messages, and reviews
✔ Share local content like team spotlights, community events, and patient education
✔ Repost your best Instagram content to save time
✔ Consider a small ad budget to reach more local patients
Common Mistakes
The big mistake is an abandoned page. Outdated hours, no posts since 2022, and unanswered messages all derail your dental social media strategy. That’s worse than having no page at all, because it makes a practice look closed for business. The second mistake is posting nothing but promotions. Facebook rewards helpful, human content, so mix in tips, team photos, and local happenings instead of constant sales pitches.
Facebook vs. Instagram for Dental Practices
| U.S. adult usage (Pew, 2025) | 71% | 50% |
| Best for | Community, local reach, reviews, messaging | Visual storytelling, Reels, discovery |
| Organic reach | Limited, ads often help | Stronger with Reels |
| Effort level | Low if you repost from Instagram | Moderate, more content creation |
Learn More
Want help running social media without adding to your to-do list?
Instagram Marketing for Dentists: The Complete Guide
13 Awesome Dental Facebook Post Ideas To Charm Your Followers
Dental TikToks and Reels: Best Practices, Ideas and Examples
How to Measure Real Dental Social Media ROI
Social Media for Dentists: The Complete Guide and 36 Ideas for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I post the same content on Facebook and Instagram?
Mostly yes. Reposting your best content saves time, though a quick tweak to the caption for each platform helps it feel natural.
Do I need to run Facebook ads?
Not required, but organic reach has declined, so a small local ad budget can help your posts reach more people in your area.
How often should I post on Facebook?
A few times a week is a solid rhythm for most practices. Consistency matters more than volume.
Can patients message my practice on Facebook?
Yes, if you keep Messenger turned on. Just make sure someone checks it regularly, and never discuss personal health details in messages.
Is Facebook better than Google for finding new patients?
They do different jobs. Google captures people actively searching for a dentist, while Facebook builds familiarity and trust in your community. Using both works best.
Adrian Lefler is the CEO and Co-Founder of My Social Practice and a recognized dental marketing expert with nearly two decades of experience. He is a trusted voice in dental marketing, AI in dentistry, and emerging technology, and he hosts BYTE SIZED, a podcast focused on dental AI, innovation, and technology.
