How to Get More Dental Patient Reviews – Without Being Pushy

It’s increasingly common for people to check online reviews before making any decision on a service, product, or provider. This can make a significant impact on both established dentists and new practices seeking new patients. A single positive review can boost your credibility, improve your local profile, and nudge nervous potential patients off the fence. How you handle a negative response can make a big difference as well.

Satisfied patients have several options for leaving reviews, including Google, Yelp, Facebook, or 1-800-Dentist. It’s important to stay apprised of the main platforms so you can respond as needed, pull positive remarks for marketing, and celebrate specific team members who are singled out for terrific care.

We know it can feel awkward or pushy to ask for compliments but don’t let it stop you from elevating your practice so that others may find you. Here are 10 pain-free ways to acquire more patient reviews and testimonials:

1. Make it simple. Send a follow-up email or text with a direct link to your Google, Yelp, or Healthgrades profile. The less effort required, the more likely patients are to leave a review.
2. Timing is everything. Request feedback when patients express satisfaction during their visit, like after a successful treatment outcome or when they thank you. The positive emotion makes them more inclined to share their experience.
3. Naturally integrate it into checkout. Train front desk staff to mention reviews as part of the normal goodbye routine, such as “If you were happy with your visit today, we’d love if you could share your experience online for others.”
4. Automated reminders. Set up email or SMS automation that sends a gentle review request a few days after the appointment. The satisfactory experience is still fresh, but the request doesn’t feel pressured.
5. Prominently share existing reviews. When patients see other testimonials in the waiting room or on your website, it normalizes the practice and reminds them this is something other happy patients do.
6. Provide options. Some patients prefer Google; others Yelp or even health-specific sites. Giving them choices respects their preferences and increases the likelihood they’ll pick one.
7. A QR code on a card. Hand out simple cards at checkout with your branding and a QR code that links to review sites. Include a message like “Loved your visit? We’d appreciate you sharing your experience.”
8. Respond to every review. When patients see you engage warmly with positive feedback, they’re more likely to contribute their own, knowing their voice will be heard and appreciated.
9. Share patient success stories. When you post testimonials that people have granted with permission, it encourages nervous patients and plants the seed that sharing experiences can benefit others.
10. Let RAMP take on the burden of review management. We understand that busy dental professionals want to focus on quality patient care that ultimately leads to positive feedback. That’s why we’ve partnered with ReviewStreams, a risk-free review generation service that helps build your reputation, acquire new patients, and manage negative feedback.

Most people want to help businesses they like succeed. By utilizing any of these ways to acquire more dental reviews, you’re allowing patients to support you and their community.

Contact RAMP to discuss the best tools and strategies for creating happy patients and encouraging them to share their experiences. Schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation today!