How to Earn More Positive Reviews for Your Dental Practice
Reviews matter. Here's how to get more.
It’s finally happening: your dental practice is all over social media and getting new 5-star reviews nearly every day. Your online presence is buzzing and new patients are waiting in line to get appointments.
This is every dental office manager’s dream. But how exactly do you get there?
Online reviews play a crucial role in shaping a dental practice's reputation and influencing potential patients' decisions. To cultivate a positive online presence, it's essential for dental practices to proactively encourage and manage reviews.
Here are key strategies to help your practice earn positive reviews and enhance its online reputation.
Strategies to Get More Positive Reviews
There are several ways you can get more positive reviews for your dental practice, including:
Delivering Exceptional Patient Experiences
The foundation of positive reviews lies in exceptional patient experiences. Focus on providing top-notch customer service, ensuring patients feel valued and well-cared for during their visits. A friendly and attentive staff, minimal waiting times, and a welcoming environment contribute to positive impressions.
Actively Encouraging Feedback
Don't wait for reviews to happen organically; actively seek feedback from your patients. Incorporate a post-visit follow-up communication strategy, expressing gratitude for their visit and kindly requesting their thoughts on their experience.
Make it easy for patients to share their feedback through various channels, including your practice's website, social media, or specialized review platforms.
Addressing Concerns Promptly
Negative experiences can happen, but how you address them matters significantly. Monitor online reviews regularly, and if a patient expresses a concern or disappointment, respond promptly and professionally. Demonstrating your commitment to resolving issues showcases your dedication to patient satisfaction.
Incorporating Review Requests in Post-Visit Materials
Maximize the chances of receiving feedback by integrating review requests into post-visit materials. Include a friendly note in follow-up emails or appointment reminders, inviting patients to share their experiences online. Providing direct links to review platforms simplifies the process for patients, increasing the likelihood of their engagement.
Leveraging Social Media
Utilize your practice's social media platforms to encourage reviews. Share positive patient testimonials, and periodically post reminders about the importance of patient feedback. Engage with your social media community by responding to comments and fostering a positive online environment.
Providing Incentives for Reviews
Motivate patients to leave reviews by offering incentives or discounts. Consider implementing a rewards program where patients earn points or receive special offers for sharing their experiences.
Something as simple as a t-shirt or $5 coffee gift card or entrance in a monthly prize raffle can provide the nudge to get a satisfied patient to actually leave a review.
If you decide to go with this approach, ensure compliance with any relevant regulations or guidelines regarding incentives. For example, you would need to provide the same incentives to all patients – regardless whether they leave you a one-star or five-star review.
Most Valuable Review Platforms
Patients often rely on several popular review platforms to make informed decisions about choosing a dentist. Here are some of the most important review platforms that patients commonly use:
Google My Business (GMB)
As one of the most widely used search engines, Google is a primary platform for reviews. A well-maintained and positively reviewed Google My Business listing can significantly impact a dental practice's online reputation. You can set this up for free here.
Yelp
Yelp is a popular review platform covering various businesses, including dental practices. Many users turn to Yelp to read detailed reviews and ratings, making it an influential platform for dental practices.
Healthgrades
Healthgrades is specifically focused on healthcare providers, making it an important platform for dental professionals. Patients often visit Healthgrades to find more nuanced detailed perspectives on the quality of care a dentist provides.
Zocdoc
Zocdoc is a platform that allows patients to find and book appointments with healthcare providers, including dentists. Positive reviews on Zocdoc can attract new patients seeking convenient appointment scheduling. As a central platform where all dentists on the platform are vying for bookings, having a top rating sets you apart from the competition.
Many dental practices maintain a Facebook presence, and patients often leave reviews on a practice's Facebook page. Positive reviews on this social media platform contribute to a positive online image. While Facebook reviews are not the be-all end-all in reviews, a few lousy reviews on Facebook do reflect badly on your practice and can scare patients away.
WebMD
WebMD is a trusted platform for health-related information and reviews. Patients may consult WebMD to find reviews about dentists and gain insights into the overall patient experience.
Start Getting More Positive Reviews For Your Dental Practice
Cultivating a positive online reputation for your dental practice is a continuous process that starts with delivering outstanding patient experiences. Actively seeking and addressing feedback, leveraging various channels for review requests, and incorporating incentives can enhance your online presence. By implementing these strategies, your dental practice can establish a strong online reputation that resonates with current and potential patients.
Another way to boost your positive online reviews organically is to streamline the process of referring your patients to specialists. Get rid of hours of paperwork for your staff and patients by adopting a digital referral management program. Sign up for Sindi today to see how we can help you save time and money while improving your office’s online reputation.