AI Is Changing How Patients Search. Is Your Practice on the Map or the Back Burner?
Remember when getting your dental practice found online just meant stuffing a few keywords on your dental website and hoping Google liked you? Well, those days are going the way of dial-up internet and MySpace. According to new data, ChatGPT now holds over 80% of AI-related search traffic. Translation: people are asking robots where to find a dentist.
If that sounds a little wild, that’s because it is. But setting aside questions of existential implications, it’s also an opportunity.
As more people turn to AI tools instead of traditional search engines, your practice needs to be visible in both worlds. Google still matters (especially for maps and reviews), but it’s not the only game in town anymore. And no, you can’t just whisper “Invisalign dentist near me” into the wind and hope ChatGPT picks it up.
In this post, we’re diving into what these AI trends mean for dentists, how it’s reshaping search habits, and what you can do to make sure your practice doesn’t get digitally ghosted.
ChatGPT Is the New King of Search (And Google’s Feeling a Little Nervous)
According to the latest data from Similarweb, ChatGPT now owns a whopping 80.1% of all AI search traffic. That’s not a typo. While everyone else is trying to catch up, ChatGPT is basically doing laps around the competition.
Here’s how the other AI players stack up:
- DeepSeek: 6.5% (hanging on, but slipping)
- Google’s own AI tools: 5.6% (they’re trying)
- Perplexity: 1.5% (more like perplexed. Ha. Get it?)
- Grok: 2.6% (fun name, tough market)
Meanwhile, traditional search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo are all showing declines. Bing, for example, dropped 18% year-over-year. Ouch.
So what does this mean for your dental practice? It means people aren’t just typing “best dentist in [your city]” into Google anymore—they’re asking AI tools for advice, recommendations, and answers. And if your online content isn’t ready for that shift, you’re missing out on potential patients who are already looking for someone just like you.
What This Means for Your Dental Marketing
Okay, so ChatGPT is dominating AI search for dentists and the entire world. Cool trivia to bring up at parties? Yes, but that’s not all. This actually has big-time implications for how your practice shows up online.
People aren’t just Googling anymore, they’re asking AI tools questions like:
- “Where is the best cosmetic dentist near me?”
- “How much does a crown cost in Salt Lake City?”
- “Is teeth whitening safe for teenagers?”
And guess what? AI tools pull their answers from online content like your dental website, your blog, your FAQs, and anywhere else you show up online. But only if your content is clear, helpful, and easy for AI to understand.
So, how do you keep your practice relevant in this brave new AI-powered world?
Here’s what matters now:
- Conversational content. If your website sounds like a robot from 2004 wrote it, it’s time for an upgrade. Write the way people talk.
- Answer common questions. Think about what your patients ask in real life, then answer those same questions online.
- Keep your site updated. AI tools love fresh, relevant content so don’t let your dental blog collect dust.
- Be everywhere patients search. That means Google Maps, reviews, and social media.
Bottom line: great dental SEO still matters, but now it has a new layer. You’re not just optimizing for search engines, you’re optimizing for the robot assistants your future patients are chatting with right now.
What Dentists Can Do Right Now (No Coding Required, Promise)
So you’re not an AI engineer. That’s okay—you don’t need a PhD in computer science to make your dental practice more visible in this new search landscape. You just need a few smart moves and a dental marketing team that speaks fluent robot (that’s us, by the way 👋).
Here’s how to start:
Update Your Website Content
Make sure your service pages and blog posts actually answer the questions patients are asking. Keep it clear, friendly, and conversational—no dental textbook jargon required.
Add a Robust FAQ Section
Think about what patients ask you at the front desk or in the chair, and put those Q&As online. AI tools eat this stuff up and use it to generate helpful responses.
Polish Your Google Business Profile
While AI search is on the rise, Google Maps and local search still matter. Keep your hours, services, and photos up to date. Bonus points for responding to reviews!
Be Consistent on Social Media
Sharing tips, videos, and real patient stories helps build trust and gives AI tools more signals that your practice is legit and active.
Don’t Let Your Practice Get Left Behind in the AI Search Shift
AI search for dentists is already a critical topic to consider. AI tools are already here answering questions, giving recommendations, and guiding people toward their next dentist (hopefully you). The data is clear: tools like ChatGPT are changing how people search, and that means it’s time to rethink how you show up online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to care about ChatGPT if I already do SEO for Google?
Yes! While Google is still important, search habits are changing. ChatGPT and other AI tools are being used more often to find local services—including dentists. If your content isn’t designed to be understood and quoted by AI, you could miss out on new patients who are getting their info somewhere else.
How do I make my dental website more AI-friendly?
Start by writing content in a clear, conversational tone. Answer common patient questions directly, use headings and bullet points for easy scanning, and keep your blog updated. AI tools like ChatGPT prefer websites that sound human, are easy to understand, and have fresh, relevant content.
Will AI replace traditional SEO?
Not exactly, but it’s changing the rules. Google isn’t going anywhere, especially for maps and local search, but AI tools are now influencing how people make decisions. The smartest approach is to combine traditional SEO with AI search for dentists, so you’re visible no matter where someone searches.
Can I do this on my own, or do I need a dental marketing company?
You can do it on your own, but it takes time, strategy, and consistency. A dental marketing company (like us!) already knows how to write content that performs well on both Google and AI search tools. We make sure your practice shows up in all the right places, so you can focus on your 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.
