Getting Google Reviews for Dentists
What do senior prom and dental reputation management have in common? Not much. But they do share one crippling similarity: asking someone to prom is vulnerable, embarrassing, and awkward, and sometimes resorting to an elaborate gimmick seems like the only way forward. That’s how it can feel to ask a patient for a Google review.
Take a breath before you break out the sparkly prom dress or spend hours decorating a poster that says, “Will u go to my Google Reviews page pls? Yes or no?”
I have good news for you.
Your patients want to say yes to leaving reviews, even if they don’t want to slow dance with you. According to the latest data, 96% of consumers are open to writing your business a review, and only 4% say they never read reviews.
If you’re like me and you skipped prom to watch a Star Wars marathon in your sweatpants, you may be tempted to opt out of the whole experience of asking because you’re unique and special and not like other girls…er, I mean, dentists.
Uh. Anyway, in this case, you can’t afford to ignore reviews or dental reputation management. They boost your local SEO, influence nearly every potential patient’s decision, and help you build trust before you ever shake hands or fill a cavity or pick out a matching corsage and boutonniere.
So how do you actually get more Google reviews for dentists without making it weird, awkward, or just another thing your team forgets to do?
That’s exactly what we’re breaking down in this guide: real-world strategies, zero cringe, and tips that actually work (because yes, we know, your team has enough to do already).
Ready to become review-rich and reputation-ready? Hop in our metaphorical limousine and let’s go.
Table of Contents
- The Rise of AI in Dental Practices
- Virtual Consultations: Bridging the Gap Between Convenience and Care
- Spotlight on Annie AI: The AI Receptionist Transforming Dental Practices
- Beyond Chatbots and Virtual Care: What’s Next in Dental Tech
- Balancing Tech with the Human Touch
- Dental Tech That Delivers What Patients Actually Want
- FAQ
Quick Check: Is Your Dental Practice Set Up for Review Success?
Before we talk strategy, let’s do a little self-diagnosis (the non-medical kind. Shockingly, I am not a qualified doctor, or at least that’s what the lawyers keep saying).
Here’s your mini review-readiness checklist:
✅ Are You Showing Up Where It Counts?
If you don’t have fully built-out profiles on Google, Facebook, and Healthgrades, you’re basically invisible to new patients who are comparison-shopping. Make sure:
- Your Google Business Profile is claimed, verified, and updated
- Your practice details—address, phone number, hours, photos—are correct
- You’re regularly posting updates or content on those platforms (bonus points for that sweet, sweet dental SEO juice)
✅ When Was Your Last Positive Review?
A glowing review from 2019 is nice, but in internet years that’s practially pre-historic. Recency matters. Consistent new reviews show patients and search engines that you’re active, responsive, and still delivering 5-star care.
✅ Do You Have a Plan for Asking?
If your current strategy is to not bother anybody and hope that someone decides to be nice to you online, then congratulations, you need therapy. (Note: I have been informed once again that I’m not allowed to tell you that you need therapy without also emphasizing that I am in no way qualified to make that assessment.)
You may be a people pleaser. You’re also not going to get more reviews. You need a repeatable system that fits into your daily workflow, not something that’s left to chance and a hilariously cute belief in the goodness of the online community.
✅ Is Your Team in the Loop?
Has your team had a real conversation about reviews lately? Do they know how to ask, who to ask, and what to say? If not, this article will be an invaluable guide, like the Bible. Unless you’re not religious, in which case feel free to treat this post like another book of great import, such as The Return of the King or Curious George Rides a Bike.
3 Smart Strategies to Get More Dental Reviews (Without Driving Your Team Crazy)
Your team isn’t just there to collect praise. They’re juggling appointments, managing schedules, and making anxious patients feel human again. That’s why your review strategy needs to be simple, repeatable, and woven into your everyday routine.
These three proven strategies are designed to get more Google dental reviews without overwhelming your team or cornering patients and making awkward, silent, meaningful eye contact as they schedule their next exam. (Though this is an intriguing and potentially very funny idea. Try it out and report back.)
1. Make It Stupid-Easy for Patients to Leave a Review
If a patient has to jump through digital hoops to leave feedback, it’s probably not happening. This is 2025, baby, and if it takes more than a few taps on my phone to order a pizza then I guess dinner is going to be a spoonful of peanut butter and the last ten pieces of cereal from three different boxes.
The best time to get a review is before your patients even leave the chair. After all, they’re trapped, suckers.
Use review software (*cough* MSP’s Reputation Management Service *cough*) to text your patient a direct link to your Google profile—no typing, no searching, no excuses. This is the fastest way to collect more Google reviews for dentists and keep the momentum going.
To recap:
🚫 Don’t rely on “Hey, if you get a chance…”
🚫 Don’t imply threat of bodily harm just because you have your hands in a patient’s mouth
✅ Do send a direct link with just one tap to review
2. Be Selective: Ask the Right Patients at the Right Time
The fastest way to burn out your team on the concept of review gathering is by telling them to “ask everyone.” Instead, play matchmaker. During your morning huddle, scan the day’s schedule and pick 1–2 patients who:
- Always leave smiling
- Bring their friends and family in
- Talk about how much they love you
Assign a specific team member to make the ask (maybe the one who looks kind of like Margot Robbie), and have them report back on how it went. When you focus on high-likelihood patients, your success rate jumps and your team feels way more confident.
3. Build a Goal-Oriented, Team-Powered Review System
Treat reviews like a game. Set a monthly goal (say, 30 new Google dental reviews) and make it a team-wide mission. Track progress on a board in the break room. Offer incentives. Give high-fives.
Form alliances. Heal old grudges. Forge bonds in the heat of battle. Lose a companion on the harrowing journey and learn to carry on through the grief. Redeem a fallen enemy, then fall in love. Ask them to prom. It’s all connected.
Basically, don’t just mention reviews in passing—make it a thing. A whole thing.
Ideas to get buy-in:
- Create review request cards or handouts
- Wear “Ask Me About Our Reviews” buttons
- Celebrate every new review during team meetings
- Hire a wizard to guide your team with sage wisdom
From Goal to Growth: Launch a Full Reviews Campaign
We have now reached the point in the article where I attempt to make a sports analogy.
Please lower your expectations.
Imagine your dental practice is…a team. A scrappy underdog team. Maybe you’re in the playoffs, or the semi-finals, or the…dental division league cup thing? The point is: you’re trying to win, and in this game, Google reviews are your points on the giant board full of mysterious numbers.
To win the match/game/round/period (?) you need a strategy, a scoreboard, and a team that’s fired up to play.
That’s where a full-blown reviews campaign comes in.
Set Your Practice’s Review Goal (A.K.A. The Score You Need To Win The Sports Thing)
Pick a target—say 25 new Google dental reviews this month—and post it somewhere your team can see it. Maybe it’s your breakroom whiteboard. Maybe it’s on a glittery poster next to the coffee machine. Make it impossible to ignore. Use stickers, maybe.
Explain to your team why this goal matters:
- More reviews = better Google rankings
- Better rankings = more patient calls
- More calls = your victory dance in the end zone
Hype It Like You’re in the Locker Room at Halftime
Make it fun. Make it loud. Make it impossible for patients to miss. Add signs at checkout that say things like:
“We’re trying to hit 25 reviews this month—want to help us win?”
“Be our MVP—leave a review!”
Bonus plays (look at me go):
- Review request cards with QR codes
- Buttons that say “Ask Me About My Review Game”
- Social posts celebrating review milestones like you just won a championship ring or a Stanley Cup (which is not just a viral drink tumbler but an actual sports trophy, I Googled it).
Rally Your Team (There’s No ‘I’ in Practice…Wait…No, Start Over)
Turn reviews into a team sport. Assign roles, track progress, and celebrate wins. Create a scoreboard—yes, literally—and reward team members who bring in five-star feedback. Pizza party? Gift cards? A tiny plastic trophy labeled “Review MVP”? Whatever gets the crowd going.
The best part? Once you get into a rhythm, collecting Google reviews for dentists isn’t a chore. It’s just part of the daily game plan.
(That was a beautiful series of metaphors. Put me in Coach, I’m ready.)
What NOT To Do When Asking for Reviews
As important as it is to know what to do, it’s just as critical to avoid the common traps that can sink your review strategy. (I considered going all-in on a maritime navigation metaphor here but I decided against it. Nobody wants to sea that.)
Heh.
Anyway, here are four review request icebergs to dodge, illuminated by the lighthouse of my dental marketing expertise.
Don’t Send Everyone the Same Boring Message
If your review strategy starts after your patient walks out the door, you’ve already lost your best chance. People get busy. Life happens. Villages get sacked by marauding buccaneers. And honestly, once they’re back in the real world, leaving a review slides way down a patient’s to-do list.
Instead, send that review link via text before they leave the chair or have your automated reputation management software handle it. Or, if you’re using printed cards or QR codes, hand them out with their appointment receipt. The faster and easier it is, the more Google reviews for dentists you’ll see rolling in.
Don’t Expect Your Team to Just “Figure It Out”
Telling your team to “just ask more” without training, scripting, or assigning responsibilities? That’s a fast track to a whole lot of nothing. No one wants to feel awkward or unsure about what to say.
Give your team tools they can actually use, like a simple script, a role-play at a team meeting, or even a cheat sheet taped behind the front desk. Give them a treasure map, jeez.
Don’t Ghost Your Reviewers
They took the time to leave a review—don’t leave them marooned. Replying to reviews (yes, even the 5-star ones!) shows appreciation and helps boost your local SEO.
Use your responses to reinforce what makes your practice great:
“Thanks so much, Katie! We’re so glad your cleaning went smoothly—we aim to make every visit comfortable and quick. Ye be a real treasure.”
What To Do With Your Reviews Once You Have Them
Now that these tried-and-true strats have you swimming in five-star reviews, you might think the work is done. And you’d be wrong, because stopping now would be like having your crush say “yes” to your invitation to prom and then forgetting to pick her up. You’ve gotta take those reviews to the high school gym, slow-dance to a few 80s ballads, and ask them to be your girlfriend.
Let’s bring it all full circle, folks.
Show Them Off on Social Media
Google reviews for dentists do their best work when they’re the center of attention. A simple quote card with your dental logo and branding goes a long way. Try:
- A weekly “Fan Friday” post with a great review
- Short patient quotes layered over a team photo
- Instagram Reels with team members reading their favorite reviews aloud
- Letting me diagnose your patients based on their reviews. Oh, come on, it will be fun! (Note: Once again, the enemies of entertainment would like me to reiterate that I am not a medical professional. They also say I’m not very funny which I thought was just mean-spirited. Jealousy is a disease, you can write that down.)
Pro tip: Don’t forget to tag the review platform and use hashtags like #DentalCare and #GoogleReviews to boost reach.
Add Them to Your Website
Your website shouldn’t just talk about how great you are, it should offer proof. Feature real patient reviews:
- On your homepage or a dedicated “Testimonials” page
- In sidebars or footer banners across your site
- As trust badges near CTAs like “Book Now” or “Request Appointment”
Make it clear that your staff would make a trustworthy fellowship if a patient were to be in possession of a magical artifact of pure evil requiring destruction in the fiery depths of the earth. You know, the kind of thing we all consider when looking for a new dentist.
Respond to Every Review (Yes, All Of Them)
Yep, each and every one. Leave no survivors, take no prisoners. Mercilessly express your gratitude, be ruthless in your pursuit of civil discourse. And remember, a thank-you goes a long way!
A quick reply to each rating tells both the reviewer and future readers that you care. Keep it simple, warm, and specific when you can.
For example:
“Thanks so much for your kind words, Mike! We’re thrilled to hear you felt comfortable during your visit.”
For negative reviews (they happen), respond quickly and professionally. Show empathy and offer a way to resolve the issue offline.
Use Reviews to Improve Your Patient Experience
Reviews aren’t just shiny gold stars to tape to the fridge, they’re valuable feedback. If you’re seeing common themes (like “I loved how friendly the hygienist was! Her pirate voice was excellent and period-accurate! Five stARRs!”), lean into that. If there are constructive comments (or very rude and hurtful ones), use them in your next team meeting to improve the patient experience. And maybe cry. It’s good for you.
Wrapping It All Up: Make Reviews a Habit
You know how you tell patients that flossing should be a habit? Reviews are your floss now. Well, and also real flossing, that’s important for dentists, too. Just…do it regularly, alright?
Getting more Google reviews for dentists doesn’t have to be awkward or overwhelming. With the right tools, a motivated team, a repeatable system, and several excellent metaphors to guide you, you can turn patient praise into a steady stream of new patients and a pristine reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get more Google reviews for my dental practice?
To get more Google reviews for dentists, you need a simple, repeatable system. Start by identifying happy patients during daily huddles and asking them in person before they leave. Use dental review software to send a direct review link via text while they’re still in your office. Make it easy, assign team members to follow through, and set a monthly goal your whole team can work toward.
What’s the easiest way to ask dental patients for a Google review?
The easiest way to ask is in person, immediately after their appointment, while the positive experience is still fresh. Pair the ask with a direct review link sent via text—bonus points if it’s automated through dental review software.
Why are Google reviews important for dentists?
Google reviews for dentists are crucial for two big reasons: local SEO and patient trust. More 5-star reviews help your practice rank higher in Google Maps and local search results. At the same time, reviews serve as digital word-of-mouth—potential patients often choose a dentist based on recent, positive feedback. A steady stream of current reviews makes your practice look active, trustworthy, and worth calling.
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.
