Opening a new dental practice is a huge milestone. You’ve probably spent months finding the right location, hiring your team, and setting up equipment. But once the doors open, the next big challenge begins: how do you actually get patients in the chair? Most dentists discover pretty quickly that being great at dentistry isn’t enough. Growing a practice means becoming visible in your community and building trust before patients even meet you. That’s where marketing—and especially strong dental practice branding—comes in. The good news is you don’t need to master it all at once; you just need to know where to start. Here are ten essential marketing tips that can help new practices gain traction from day one.
1. Start With Dental Practice Branding
Your brand is more than just a logo—it’s how patients experience your practice. From your signage to your social media posts, consistent colors, fonts, and messaging create a polished look that builds instant trust. Think of it as your practice’s personality.
At Gargle, we’ve seen that practices that launch with a strong brand identity are more memorable and more likely to attract the right kind of patients. Our branding package has helped countless practices find their true identity that builds life-long relationships with their patients. That early investment pays dividends for years to come. Here are just a few examples of how we helped elevate some brands.
2. Claim Your Google Business Profile
Before patients ever step into your office, they’ll Google you. That’s why your Google Business Profile is one of your most powerful tools. Make sure your information is correct, upload photos, and encourage patients to leave reviews.
It sounds simple, but many practices overlook it and become invisible online. Optimizing this one listing can differentiate between a full schedule and an empty waiting room.
3. Build a Website That Works for You
A modern, mobile-friendly website is essential. Patients should be able to easily find your services, see reviews, and book appointments. First impressions matter, and for most new patients, your website is the first impression.
We’ve helped hundreds of dentists launch sites that look great and convert visitors into appointments. The right design and smart features like online scheduling make your site your best marketing tool.
4. Focus on Local SEO
SEO (search engine optimization) isn’t just for big companies—it’s crucial for dental practices, too. But here’s the key: you don’t need to rank nationally. You need to show up when someone nearby searches for “dentist in [your city].” That means creating content and optimizing your site around local terms and patient questions.
We’ve found that practices that start early with SEO build steady momentum, so they don’t scramble later to catch up with competitors.
5. Use Paid Ads Strategically
Paid ads can be a great way to bring in patients quickly, but they work best when targeted. Rather than casting a wide net, focus on your local audience. Social ads are great for awareness, while PPC (pay-per-click) can capture patients actively searching for care.
The key is to start small, track results, and adjust. We’ve seen practices waste money by running “set and forget” ads, but with the right approach, advertising can deliver a strong ROI.
6. Connect with New Movers
One of the best patient groups to target? Families who’ve just moved to town. They’re actively looking for a dentist, which makes them an ideal audience. Mailers, school sponsorships, or even simple “welcome to the neighborhood” campaigns can go a long way.
Practices that invest in community-based outreach not only gain new patients, but they also build loyalty that lasts.
7. Build Your Online Reputation Early
Reviews are today’s word-of-mouth. A handful of positive reviews can make a big impact on a new patient’s decision. Encourage happy patients to leave feedback and respond to every review—good or bad.
We often see new practices that prioritize reviews in their first year grow faster than those that don’t. It’s social proof that money can’t buy.
8. Show Up in Your Community
Marketing isn’t just digital. Getting involved in local events, sponsoring youth sports teams, or supporting school programs makes your practice more visible and approachable. Community presence is priceless, especially for pediatric and family practices.
We’ve worked with practices who became “the dentist everyone knows” in their town simply because they showed up consistently in local spaces.
9. Track Your Results
One of the most common mistakes we see is doctors investing in marketing but not tracking what’s working. Without data, it’s impossible to know if that Facebook ad or mailer brought in new patients. Set up tracking for calls, forms, and online bookings from the start.
Practices that watch their data closely can double down on what works and avoid wasting time and money.
10. Think Beyond New Patients
It’s easy to focus only on acquiring new patients, but retention is where practices really grow. Regular communication—texts, emails, seasonal updates—keeps patients engaged and less likely to drift away.
We always remind dentists: the best marketing isn’t just about filling tomorrow’s schedule. It’s about building a patient base that lasts for years.
Putting It All Together
Starting a dental practice comes with plenty of challenges, but marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By building a strong brand, optimizing your online presence, connecting with your community, and tracking results, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
From dental practice branding and websites to SEO, ads, and reputation tools, we know what it takes to go from “new in town” to “go-to dentist.”
Your first year sets the tone. Implement these ten strategies to attract patients and build a practice that thrives. Book a demo today!