How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Dental Practice
A simple system to get more dental reviews on Google: who asks, when to ask, what to send, and the Google and FTC rules your practice can't break.
Most dental practices don't have a review problem. They have an asking problem. Patients leave happy every day, but nobody asks them for a review at the right moment, with a link that takes ten seconds to use. So the only people who post are the ones who had a reason to complain.
If you want to get more dental reviews on Google, you need a repeatable system rather than an occasional push: a clear moment to ask, a named person who asks, a direct link, and a follow-up text. This guide lays out that system, gives you wording to use, and covers the rules from Google and the FTC that keep you out of trouble.
Why recent reviews matter more than your total
Patients choosing a dentist look at your star rating, but they also look at how recent your reviews are and what they say. A practice with a strong rating built from reviews that are mostly a few years old looks less active than one with a steady stream from the last few months. Reviews also play a role in how Google ranks local businesses, alongside relevance, distance and other factors. We explain that relationship in how Google reviews affect your rankings.
The takeaway: aim for a consistent trickle, not a one-time campaign. A handful of new reviews every week beats fifty in a month followed by silence.
The rules first: what you can't do
Getting this wrong can mean removed reviews, a suspended profile or regulatory trouble, so start here. This is general information, not legal advice. Check with a healthcare attorney or compliance advisor about your specific practices.
Don't offer incentives for reviews. Google's policies prohibit offering money, discounts, gifts or other rewards in exchange for reviews. That includes "leave a review and get a free electric toothbrush" and entering reviewers into a raffle.
Don't filter who you ask (review gating). Sending a "How did we do?" survey and only directing happy patients to Google, while routing unhappy ones to a private form, goes against Google's policies. Ask everyone, or at least don't choose based on whether you expect a positive review. Our article on review gating and fake reviews covers this in detail.
Don't write, buy or fake reviews. The FTC finalized a rule in 2024 that targets fake reviews, including buying reviews, posting reviews from people who aren't real customers, and staff or family posting reviews without disclosing the connection. It also addresses suppressing negative reviews. Penalties can be significant.
Don't have staff post reviews from the office. Reviews posted from the same device or Wi-Fi network can look suspicious, and reviews by employees about their own employer violate Google's conflict-of-interest rules.
Protect patient privacy. Asking a patient for a review is fine. What you must avoid is disclosing their health information, for example in a public response that confirms they're a patient or mentions their treatment. See our guide on responding to reviews without violating HIPAA.
Step 1: Get your direct review link
The fewer steps between "sure, I'll leave one" and the review box, the more reviews you'll get. Your Google Business Profile lets you get a short link that opens the review window directly. Find it in your profile management tools (look for an option to ask for reviews or share a review form) and save it somewhere every team member can grab it.
Turn the link into: - A short text template - A QR code on a small card or sign at checkout - A line in your post-visit email - A button on your website's "Reviews" or "Patient info" page
Step 2: Decide who asks and when
The best moment to ask
The best time is when the patient has just experienced something good. In a dental office, that's often:
- At checkout after a smooth cleaning, especially when they say something kind
- After a new patient's first visit, when they mention how welcome they felt
- At the end of treatment they were nervous about ("That was so much easier than I expected")
- When a patient sees their final result after clear aligners, whitening or a crown
- After an emergency visit where you got them out of pain
Who should ask
A personal ask from the right person works better than an automated message alone.
| Who asks | Strengths | When it works best |
|---|---|---|
| Dentist | Most persuasive; patients like being asked by the doctor | End of a successful treatment or consult |
| Hygienist | Spends the most time with patients; strong rapport | After a cleaning, especially with long-term patients |
| Front desk | Sees every patient; can send the link right away | Checkout, paired with the text |
| Treatment coordinator | Knows the patient's journey | Completion of a larger case |
The strongest approach is usually a combination: the clinician mentions it verbally, and the front desk sends the link before the patient reaches their car.
Step 3: Use simple, natural wording
In person
Keep it short and genuine:
"I'm so glad today went well. Reviews really help other people find a dentist they're comfortable with. Would you be willing to leave us one on Google? I can text you the link right now."
If the patient has just complimented you:
"That means a lot, thank you. Would you mind sharing that in a Google review? It really helps other patients who are nervous like you were."
Don't push. If they hesitate, say "No pressure at all" and move on.
By text
Send it within an hour or two of the visit while the experience is fresh:
"Hi Alex, thanks for coming in today! If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate a Google review. It helps other families find us: [link]. – The team at [Practice Name]"
By email
Email works as a backup, especially for patients who don't text:
Subject: How was your visit today?
Hi Alex,
Thank you for visiting [Practice Name] today. If you have a moment, we'd be grateful if you shared your experience on Google. Your review helps other people in [town] find a dentist they can trust.
[Leave a review]
Thank you, Dr. [Name] and the team
For more variations, see our dental review request templates.
Step 4: Follow up once
Many people mean to leave a review and forget. One gentle reminder a few days later is reasonable:
"Hi Alex, just a quick follow-up in case you didn't get a chance. Here's that review link if you'd like to share your experience: [link]. Thanks again!"
One reminder, then stop. More than that starts to feel like nagging.
Step 5: Make asking routine so you get more dental reviews every week
The practices that consistently get reviews treat it like confirming appointments: a normal part of the day, not a special project.
- Add it to the morning huddle. Note which patients on today's schedule are good candidates (long-time patients, completed cases, new patients).
- Track who was asked. A simple checkbox in your PMS or a tally sheet.
- Share new reviews with the team. Read the good ones aloud at the next huddle. People who see the payoff keep asking.
- Set a modest weekly goal. A realistic number for your patient volume, not a big monthly target.
Avoid tying individual bonuses to the number of reviews, since that can lead to pressure tactics. Celebrate the team's effort instead.
Step 6: Respond to every review
Responding shows prospective patients that you're engaged and listening. Thank positive reviewers briefly, without confirming that they're a patient or mentioning any treatment. For negative reviews, our guide on how to respond to negative dental reviews has examples.
A safe positive-review response:
"Thank you so much for the kind words! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience."
What about other review sites?
Google matters most for local search, but patients may also see reviews on Facebook, Yelp, Healthgrades and other directories. You don't need to ask for reviews everywhere. Focus on Google, keep your other profiles accurate, and respond to reviews wherever they appear. Note that some platforms, including Yelp, discourage businesses from asking for reviews at all, so check each site's rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask dental patients for Google reviews?
Ask in person at a positive moment, such as after a smooth visit or a completed treatment, and then text a direct review link within an hour or two. Keep the wording short and genuine, and send one follow-up reminder a few days later if they haven't had a chance.
Can a dental office offer incentives for reviews?
No. Google's policies prohibit offering discounts, gifts, entries into drawings or other rewards in exchange for reviews. The FTC's rule on fake reviews also targets incentives conditioned on positive reviews. Ask for honest reviews without offering anything in return.
Is it a HIPAA violation to ask patients for reviews?
Asking patients for a review is generally fine. The risk comes from disclosing patient information, such as confirming someone is a patient or mentioning their treatment in a public reply. This isn't legal advice, so confirm your review process with a compliance advisor.
How many Google reviews should a dental practice have?
There's no magic number. What matters is having a solid rating, a steady flow of recent reviews and professional responses. Compare yourself to the practices that show up near you in local search, and aim to add reviews consistently every week rather than in bursts.
What is the easiest way to get more dental reviews?
Get your direct Google review link, then have your front desk text it to satisfied patients shortly after their visit, with a verbal ask from the dentist or hygienist beforehand. Making it part of the daily routine is far more effective than occasional campaigns.