When we talk to dentists, one question keeps coming up: “Do Google reviews really matter that much?”
Some believe reviews are the single biggest factor in new patient growth. Others think they’re mostly for show: nice to have, but not something that truly drives calls.
So we decided to find out for ourselves.
We looked at hundreds of dental practices across the U.S. and Canada and modeled out how their review counts and average star ratings impacted the number of new patient calls they received each month.
The findings were eye-opening - and they show just how big of a difference Google reviews can make.
- Practices with fewer than 100 reviews tend to cluster at the bottom, with under 200 calls per month.
- Once practices reach the 300–500 review range, call volume jumps significantly, often doubling or tripling compared to lower-review practices.
- The biggest payoff comes for offices with 500+ reviews, where calls regularly climb into the 400–600+ range.
But here’s the catch…
If you’ve got 500 Google reviews but your rating is only 4.2 out of 5, does it still work? The answer is no.
It’s not enough to just have a big review count. Patients care deeply about the quality of those reviews. In fact, once a practice’s rating drops below 4.7 stars, we see a sharp decline in call volume, even for offices with hundreds of reviews.
Think about it from the patient’s perspective: they’re not just asking “How many people reviewed this dentist?” They’re really asking, “Do people actually trust this dentist?”
Here’s the kicker: the practices winning the most patients aren’t just the ones with a lot of reviews - they’re the ones with a lot of reviews and high ratings. This combo doesn’t just drive more calls, it makes patients far more likely to book, because the trust is already there before they even dial.
How to Become the #1 Reviewed Practice in Your City
Some dental practices seem to skyrocket with Google reviews, while others struggle to gain traction. It’s easy to feel like there’s a secret you’re missing.
Maybe you pick up a handful of reviews one month, then nothing the next - and when you ask your staff about it, they insist they’re asking patients… but no new reviews come in. You’re left wondering what those “winning” practices are doing differently.
That’s why we put together an article that breaks down exactly what you should do to get more Google reviews than your competitors.
Want to attract more new patients through Google? Learn the proven system top dental offices use to earn hundreds of 5-star reviews and build trust that converts.
Start Dominating Google Reviews