Effective Marketing Strategies To Get New Orthodontic Patients 

If you are thinking of adding orthodontics to the list of services your dental practice offers, the first step is to invest in orthodontic training. Once you and your team have the necessary skills to offer professional orthodontics, it’s time to consider how to get new patients. We’ve put together 10 ways you can effectively market your orthodontic practice and attract new patients.

1. What makes you stand out?

The first step is to create a list of what makes your dental practice stand out from the crowd. Is it the quality of your orthodontic training? Is it your practice’s patient-focused environment? Make this list so you know what your strengths are before you begin your marketing campaign.

2. Who is your target persona?

Next, it is time to be clear about who your marketing campaign is going to target. Create a persona of your ideal orthodontic patient. Sometimes a good place to start is by looking at the demographics of your current patients and identifying which ones are most interested in orthodontic treatment. Use a persona guide template to help you create your ideal target persona. Once you have your target persona, you can more easily work out how to get new patients that fit that demographic.

3. Use online advertising.

When people are looking for a service, the internet is usually the first place they turn. Online advertising is a great way to grab potential patients’ attentions and direct them to your dental practice website. You can place your ads on search engine results, social media, and related web pages to drive traffic to your site.

4. Make the most of social media.

Social media is a fantastic resource for dental practices that are trying to work out how to get new patients. You can make the most of all that social media has to offer by posting engaging, relevant content. Share your blog posts, informational articles, and testimonials from your orthodontic patients. Ask questions that encourage engagement and be sure to respond to everyone who interacts with your page.

5. Keep your website up to date.

Directing potential patients to your website is only worthwhile if your site contains all the information they need to find out about your orthodontic services and get in touch with you. Before you launch any online marketing campaigns, make sure your website is up to date. It should contain clear information about your services, as well as contact details for anyone who wants to get in touch. The site should be easy to navigate to prevent frustration. Investing in your website will pay off many times over when appointment bookings start rolling in.

6. Include before and after pictures.

Patients want to know what they can expect from orthodontic treatment. In this scenario, a picture really is worth a thousand words. By showing before and after shots on your website and marketing materials, you can immediately show people how much their smile could improve. Before and after pictures create connections and prove that your orthodontic services can deliver the results you promise.

7. Don’t forget about word-of-mouth marketing.

Many people say that word-of-mouth marketing is more effective than other forms of marketing. While people can become skeptical of ads and social media posts that seem insincere, they are still highly likely to trust recommendations from their friends, families, and coworkers. Encourage your current patients to talk about their experiences with your dental practice in general and with your orthodontic treatments in particular to those they know. You could also consider offering referral benefits to encourage people to let their friends and family members know about the great services you provide.

8. Consider offering free evaluations.

The biggest barrier in how to get new patients is convincing people to make that first appointment with your dental practice. If you make the initial orthodontic evaluation free, then people know they have nothing to lose in giving it a try. Be clear that the consultation comes with no obligation or pressure; it is simply an opportunity for someone to get more information. Once they have met your team and found out about all the advantages of orthodontic treatment, it’s likely that they will choose to proceed with their treatment plan.

9. Stay up to date with industry trends.

Staying up to date with industry trends is important. Marketing is never “set and forget.” You need to demonstrate that you are keeping up with the latest orthodontic technologies and treatments. Consider investing in ongoing orthodontic training to ensure you can always offer the best to your patients.

10. Have a blog.

A blog is a good way to let website visitors know what is going on in your dental practice and the profession of orthodontics as a whole. And it’s a great way to raise awareness of dental issues and treatments that matter to many people. Be sure to keep your blog up to date with high-quality content.

As a general or pediatric dentist, branching out into orthodontic treatments can bring new patients and drive more revenue to your practice. Get in touch with us today to find out how orthodontic training can help you get new patients and grow your dental practice.