Targeting Your Perfect Dental Patient
November 9, 2023
Dental marketing has become essential for practitioners aiming to attract and retain patients as the industry evolves and adopts new innovations. However, a generic approach rarely yields optimal results. To enhance your marketing efforts’ effectiveness, it’s vital to understand various dental patient types and customize strategies accordingly.
Over 17 years in the dental marketing industry, Innovate Dental Marketing has discovered that each patient type requires unique marketing approaches to capture their attention and business. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five major dental categories – General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, and Emergency Dentistry – and delve into each categories ideal patient and the best marketing services for each category.
General Dentistry: The Maintenance-Minded Patient
General dentistry, the most common branch, focuses on maintaining oral health and preventing dental problems. These patients value preventive care and regular check-ups, prioritizing oral health as part of their overall well-being. They often become loyal, long-term patients seeking a trusted dental home.
To effectively target Maintenance-Minded Patients, our Digital Marketing Team suggests:
- Website Management: Showcase before-and-after photos, patient testimonials, and detailed service information.
- Enhanced Local Optimization: Improve online presence for local search results.
- Google Ads/Local Services Ads: Appear at the top of Google searches in your area.
Cosmetic Dentistry: The Aesthetic Enthusiast Patient
Cosmetic dentistry enhances smile aesthetics. These patients, conscious of their appearance, seek solutions to improve their smile, often preparing for special events or boosting self-confidence. For Aesthetic Enthusiast Patients, who are visual consumers, we recommend:
- Social Media Ads: Showcase success stories on Instagram and Facebook.
- Dating App Ads: Advertise services where people aim to impress.
- Google Ads: Appear in top search results for local cosmetic dental services.
Pediatric and Family Dentistry: The Caring Parent Patient
Pediatric dentistry specializes in children’s oral health, targeting parents or guardians. These patients prioritize early dental care and seek child-friendly environments. To market to Caring Parent patients, consider:
- Website Management: Enhance your brand to appeal to parents.
- Social Media Ads: Target mothers, families, and followers on various platforms.
- Enhanced Local Optimization: Showcase your pediatric dentistry brand across platforms.
Restorative Dentistry: The Problem Solver Patient
Restorative dentistry repairs damaged or missing teeth. These patients seek skilled professionals to restore oral health and function.For Problem Solver Patients, our experts recommend:
- Search Engine Optimization: Optimize for restorative dentistry keywords.
- Google Ads: Target specific age groups and relevant search terms.
- Facebook Ads: Customize ads to reach restorative dental patients.
Emergency Dentistry: The Urgency Seeker Patient
Emergency dentistry is a specialized field that provides urgent dental care for patients experiencing severe dental pain, trauma, or sudden oral health issues. Patients in need of emergency dental services may have conditions like a severe toothache, knocked-out teeth, fractured teeth, or injuries to the mouth.
Emergency dentistry provides urgent care for severe dental issues. These distressed patients need immediate attention and often become permanent patients.For Urgency Seeker Patients, we suggest:
- Google Ads: Ensure top search results for emergency dentistry.
- Enhanced Local Optimization: Use local keywords to improve SEO for emergency searches.
- Website Management: Provide accurate information on emergency services.
Your Perfect Patients: They're Out There!
Understanding different patient types is crucial for successful dental marketing strategies. By tailoring your approach to each patient type’s needs and expectations, you can build lasting relationships with diverse patients.
Regardless of your dental specialty, a personalized marketing approach helps your practice thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Remember, ongoing evaluation and adaptation of marketing strategies are key to long-term success. With Innovate Dental Marketing’s Digital Marketing Team, we can help your practice grow and convert ideal patients into permanent ones.
Are You Ready to Find Your Perfect Patients?
Schedule an appointment with Innovate’s Digital Marketing Team and find out which dental marketing services can best serve your dental practice!
Or click the button below to take our Perfect Patient Quiz and tell us which patients you’re missing and what appointments you want on your books!