Here’s a deep dive into the importance of patient reviews, along with practical tips for gathering them. The information is collected from different sources.                                                                                   

                                        
• 67% of people looking for a new dentist use online reviews, with Google being the most popular platform by a landslide.                                                                                                                                        
                        
• More than two-thirds of patients looking for a new dentist use online reviews, with 81% using Google reviews, and others looking at Yelp (45%), Facebook (30%), and Healthgrades (23%). Link
                        
•  In a world where 91% of people read online reviews before making a decision, dental practices can’t afford to overlook the power of patient feedback.                                                                                                                                       
                        
• Over 70% of consumers use online search engines to research dental treatments and read reviews when looking for a new dentist, according to Ruler Analytics.  Link                                                                                       
                        
•  The survey results gave a surprising look into the minds of dental care consumers. As many as 63 percent of consumers who are considering any type of cosmetic dentistry procedure find online dentist reviews to be a vital part of their decision-making process.                                                       
                        
•  33 percent believe that dental provider reviews are at least somewhat important when choosing a dentist. Link               
                        
•  In fact, 83% of patients claim that they no longer trust advertising, but most trust recommendations from users online.
                        
• 72% of customers trust online reviews as much as they trust personal recommendations from real people.

Reviews build trust, attract new patients, and provide valuable insights into the patient experience. But how can dental practices effectively collect more reviews to boost their online reputation? 

 Provide In-Office Review Stand with QR codes.

Consider setting up a small review stand or banner with QR codes at the reception desk or in your waiting area. This makes it easy for patients to quickly leave a review before they leave your office—just scan and go! Encourage your front desk team to gently prompt patients to share their experience, sparking polite, open conversations like:

"How was your visit today? We'd be thrilled if you could leave us a quick review! It only takes a few seconds, but it means the world to us."

This approach makes reviewing simple, fast, and engaging for patients while boosting your practice’s online reputation.

Send Follow-Up Emails with Review Links

Research shows that 68% of patients leave a review when prompted by email. Sending a polite, post-visit email thanking them for their visit and including a direct link to your Google or Yelp review page is a great way to encourage reviews without being intrusive. Make sure the email is short, friendly, and includes a clear call-to-action, like:
“We’d love to know how we did today! Please click here to share your experience with others.”

Ask for Reviews at the Right Time

Timing is everything when requesting reviews. The best moment to ask for feedback is right after a positive experience when patients are leaving the office feeling satisfied or relieved from successful treatment. 
Impress patients, and ask for review at the right time, when they are in the right mood!  

 “Thank you for visiting! We’d appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a review [insert link]. Your feedback helps us improve and helps others find us!”

Keppy’s AR experience not only engages and relaxes patients but also enhances satisfaction as they try something innovative. This combination increases the likelihood of receiving positive reviews, as patients are more likely to share their excitement about the unique experience.

Video reviews are more important than text ones.
Video reviews are crucial for dental practices looking to boost credibility and patient engagement, outperforming traditional text-based testimonials.
Studies show that viewers retain 95% of a message in a video compared to only 10% in text (Insivia), making videos a powerful tool for building trust. Visual testimonials capture real patients and results, allowing potential patients to see genuine outcomes, emotions, and the quality of care they can expect, which is particularly effective for treatments like veneers and whitening.
According to a BrightLocal survey, 73% of consumers are more likely to trust businesses with video testimonials over those with only text reviews. 
Additionally, videos improve SEO rankings and attract more social media engagement, helping practices expand their reach and stand out online. By offering a transparent and relatable look at the patient experience, video and photo reviews create a stronger, lasting impression that enhances patient confidence and helps dental practices grow.

Conclusion

Patient reviews are essential for growing a successful, patient-centered dental practice. From building trust to improving SEO and attracting new patients, reviews play a significant role in your practice’s success. By strategically asking for reviews at the right time, using email and text follow-ups with a mix of cutting-edge technologies, and making the review process convenient (easy to follow, direct), you can increase your review volume and create a strong online presence. With these strategies, your practice will be well on its way to collecting valuable feedback that strengthens patient relationships and attracts new patients.