It’s time to get the word out about your new services and grow your orthodontic practice.

Did you recently add orthodontics to your general or family dental practice? If so, it’s time to get the word out!

While your current patients might have noticed the change, there’s a chance that others in your community don’t know about it yet. If you’re still relying on familiar marketing strategies to build your patient base and advertise your services, it’s smart to revamp your approach. 

Today, we’re sharing 8 tips to help you grow your orthodontic practice, take it to new heights and become your town’s go-to orthodontic resource. 

Get involved with orthodontics organizations.

Before we dive into our list, let’s talk about the value of joining national and local orthodontics organizations. These industry communities can help you elevate your career and network with like-minded dental professionals. It’s a quick and easy way to gain visibility and keep pace with this ever-changing field.

For instance, when you join the American Orthodontic Society (AOS), you gain instant access to a range of benefits, including:

• Exclusive resources
• Networking opportunities 
• Discounts on continuing education (CE)
• Subscription to Journal of AOS
• Legal support and guidance
• Industry credentials

As a member, you can also enroll in any of our orthodontic courses to expand your technical and clinical knowledge. When you join groups like ours, you can rest assured that you’re always in step with the latest industry news, updates, and innovations. Then, you can pass those insights on to your patients and the community you serve. 

1. Stay active on social media.

According to one study, more than 40% of consumers head to social media to find answers to their health care questions. In addition, 41% use the platforms to discover new providers.

If they look for an orthodontic practice on Facebook, will they see your page? What about Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn?

While you don’t have to join every social media platform to grow your orthodontic practice, focus your efforts on those four. Use your page to share updates about your practice, post questions for your followers, and even run promotions. This is a free, easy way to connect with your community, so stay active, respond to comments, and keep your profile visible. 

2. Modernize your advertising strategy.

Are you relying solely on word-of-mouth marketing to tell others about the orthodontic side of your practice? While this can be a powerful tool, it shouldn’t be the only one you use. 

In today’s digital age, you have a ton of resources right at your fingertips, so use them. Start with your website, and update the content to include a page specifically for orthodontics.

Describe the services you offer, address FAQs, and make sure current and prospective patients know what to expect. Post reviews and testimonials that give a face to your services and help others know what to expect. 

Once your content is ready, it’s time to optimize your online presence for search engine optimization (SEO). Use keywords, phrases, and images in your website, blogs, and social media content to target your ideal audience. If the information you provide is relevant and helpful, Google will reward you by bumping your links higher in the search engine results pages (SERPs). 

3. Keep up with your continuing education.

Another way to stand out is to never stop learning and honing your craft. Once you’ve taken and completed our Basic Straight Wire Course, you don’t have to stop there! Keep going on your educational track to deepen your knowledge and earn even more CE credits. 

Our Intermediate Straight Wire Orthodontics Course will take you to the next level. Designed for practitioners who have completed our Basic Course or have a working knowledge of straight wire orthodontics, this four-session series will increase both your education and your practical skills.

In addition to hands-on clinical lectures and case reviews, you’ll also get the opportunity to learn advanced orthodontic procedures, including laser and electrosurgical techniques.

While the Basic Course equips you to treat 70% to 80% of orthodontic patients, the Intermediate Course will increase your confidence and empower you to treat even more. 

4. Stay up to date on orthodontic technology and treatments.

Patients want to trust their orthodontic care to someone who will leverage the most recent tools and technologies to enhance their experience and outcomes. They don’t want to share their smile with a dentist who still relies on outdated practices, holding tight to the way things used to be. 

You can stay up to date on the latest developments by reading industry publications, listening to mentors, and speaking to other experts in the field. With an AOS membership, you get it all. 

We keep you in the loop so you can keep pace with this exciting field. In turn, you can establish your practice as modern and innovative, which will help you attract new patients and set your team apart from others. 

5. Educate patients on the importance of orthodontics.

Once you add professional orthodontics to your practice, you’re ready to speak to your patients about how those services can transform their smiles and improve their quality of life. While you may have previously referred them to a separate orthodontist, you can now perform those treatments right in your own office. 

Often, patients aren’t aware of how these services can enhance their oral health. By educating them, you can open their minds to the idea and encourage them to talk about it with others. 

6. Amplify your customer service.

When your patients are satisfied, they’re much more likely to share their experiences with others that they know. What is their experience like from the second they walk in your doors until the moment they leave?

Train your staff members to provide excellent customer service at every turn. If they’re the best at their craft and exude professionalism in everything they do, your practice can’t help but shine. 

Our Orthodontic Training and Hands-On Workshop is specifically designed for assistants and hygienists. Not only will it elevate their orthodontic knowledge, but it will also give them the tools they need to cater to patients and provide the expert service they expect.

7. Plan a community day.

Want to reach more people in your community? Plan a special day just for them! Offer free consultations and screenings to the general public, as well as a Q&A session, family games, and more. 

You can’t grow your local presence unless you’re actively involved. This is a simple yet effective way to impact a significant number of people and make a great impression.

8. Get referrals.

What’s another way to bring more people to your practice? Be sure to ask loyal customers for referrals! Make the process easy to complete and send a link to the form as soon as possible after their treatment. 

To encourage more people to participate, you can incentivize this process by offering discounts, promotions, and other special offers to patients who refer your practice to others. 

Grow your orthodontic practice one step at a time.

You won’t grown your orthodontic practice into a successful one overnight. However, you can put steps in place to strategically scale your growth. The 8 tips above can help you reach more people, grow your knowledge, and establish your team as community leaders.

Adding orthodontics to your general, family, or pediatric dental practice was the right first move. Now it’s time to take those services to the next level. The AOS can help you expand your knowledge and keep your skills sharp. Become a member today and start reaping the benefits.