How to Attract New Patients Using Testimonials

How to Attract New Patients Using Testimonials

June 26, 2025
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Patient testimonials, as genuine feedback from those who have received care, carry significant weight. They are often the first thing potential patients look at when deciding who to trust with their health, reinforcing the importance of these testimonials in building trust.

These reviews usually discuss what went well, what stood out, and how the overall experience felt. That kind of personal insight can go a long way, whether it’s about how comfortable they were during treatment or how friendly your team was. When shared online, they help others feel more confident about choosing your practice, giving you a clear edge over competitors.

As more patients turn to others' experiences for guidance—whether it’s about root canals, cosmetic treatments, or general dental care—the effectiveness of traditional ads continues to decline. At the same time, real reviews gain more power and influence. Ignoring or underusing testimonials can seriously impact your reputation and visibility.

Without a clear system for collecting and managing patient feedback, your marketing might miss the mark. Worse, if left unaddressed, unhappy experiences can dominate public platforms, leading to lost trust and new patient leads slipping through the cracks.

This blog highlights the importance of patient testimonials and how the right words from happy patients can turn trust into new appointments.

Why Testimonials Are Critical for Dental Practice Marketing

Positive reviews reassure potential patients about how good your practice truly is—especially when it comes to comfort, care, and results. They give people a sense of confidence that they’re making the right decision.

When people see that others have had a great experience, it eases their hesitation and doubts. Positive patient feedback can be the real push that your patient needs to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment.

According to a 2024 survey, 87% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Plus, consider these reviews as a trusted source when choosing a healthcare provider.

1) Build Trust

When a potential patient reads a positive review from someone who’s already been treated by you, it gives them reassurance and helps them feel more confident choosing your practice over others. A well-written, honest review can calm their nerves, clear up doubts, and help them picture the kind of care—and results—they can expect.

2) Enhance Credibility

Lots of positive reviews on your listings and social media send a strong signal to Google that people trust your practice. It tells search engines you’re not only active but also providing great patient experiences. All this results in higher local search visibility—right when potential patients are looking for you.

3) Drive Conversions

Adding testimonials to your landing pages or treatment pages leads to more bookings. Studies show that testimonials can boost conversion rates by up to 34%. When someone’s on the fence about calling your office, a great review can seal the deal. Learn more about website conversion tips for dentists.

4) Boost SEO

When your testimonials mention services or locations—like “gentle dentist in Glendale Heights” or “emergency root canal in Chicago,” for example—they help improve your search rankings. That means more of the right people are seeing your practice online. Discover our SEO services for dental clinics.

By strategically using testimonials, dental practices can establish themselves as trusted authorities, attract new patients, and amplify their dental practice marketing efforts.

Types of Testimonials That Work Best for Attracting New Patients

Not all testimonials do the same job—and if you want your reviews actually to bring in new patients, you’ve got to know what works best. Here are the types that make the most significant difference for dental practices like yours:

1. Video Testimonials

These are hands-down one of the most powerful forms of social proof. Potential patients get to see and hear real people talk about their experiences. It puts a face to the story. When someone sees a patient smiling while talking about how gentle their root canal was or how confident they feel after Invisalign, it creates a connection.

You don’t need a fancy production crew—just a phone, decent lighting, and a happy patient willing to talk for 30 seconds. Authenticity beats perfection every time.

2. Before-and-After Photos with Stories

This is especially useful if you offer cosmetic or restorative treatments. When patients see real results—like a restored tooth or a straighter smile—it’s easier for them to imagine what’s possible.

But don’t stop at the photo. Add a short caption or story:

"Before, I was afraid to smile. Now I can’t stop!"

That simple combination of visual + story builds massive trust.

3. Written Testimonials with Context

“Great dentist, very kind!” is nice—but it doesn’t tell the full story.

Now compare that with:

"I went in terrified about needing a root canal. Dr. [Name] walked me through everything, making me feel completely at ease. I didn’t feel a thing, and now my tooth feels normal again."

See the difference? Longer reviews with a little background help potential patients imagine the experience. These testimonials work great on your website, especially on service or landing pages. Need help building a better dental website? Check out our web design services for dentists.

4. Google & Facebook Reviews

This type of patient feels two things at once:

- They build local trust by showing up where your patients are already looking.

- They boost your local SEO, helping you rank higher when someone Googles “dentist near me” or “emergency dental implant [your city].”

Encourage happy patients to leave reviews right after their visit. Even a short, honest sentence goes a long way in influencing the next person searching for care. For reputation strategies, explore review management services for healthcare.

Quick Tip: Ask for testimonials when patients are genuinely happy, right after a successful treatment or when they’re thanking you at the front desk. Their words are more real and impactful than.

Top Methods to Attract New Patients Using Testimonials

Here are actionable, research-backed strategies to harness the power of testimonials for your dental practice, tailored to the unique needs of dental professionals.

1. Showcase Testimonials on Your Dental Website

If you want new patients to choose you over the dozens of other providers they’re comparing, your website needs to do more than just look good—it needs to build trust fast. One of the best ways to do that is to showcase real patient testimonials right where people will see them.

Think about it. When someone’s searching for a new [Treatment] in [Location], they’re likely feeling nervous or unsure. Maybe they’ve had a bad dental experience in the past. Maybe they’ve been putting this off for months. But when they land on your website and read a few honest reviews from people who’ve already been in the chair? That changes things. They start to feel like, “Okay… maybe this place really gets it.”

So here’s how you can bring that trust to life through your site:

Where to Put Testimonials

You don’t want to tuck reviews away in some hidden corner. Instead:

- Add a testimonial slider or carousel on your homepage: Just a few quick quotes showing that patients had a positive, comfortable experience.

- Feature reviews directly on your service pages. For example, if someone’s reading about [Treatment], include a review from a patient who had the same procedure and had a great outcome. It makes the service feel more real and relatable.

- Create a dedicated “Patient Reviews” page: This lets people scroll through feedback in one place—and gives you a hub to share whenever someone asks, “Do you have reviews I can read?”

Discover expert tips for building trust through medical web design.

2. Highlight Video Testimonials for Greater Impact

Video testimonials are highly engaging and build trust faster than text. Another study suggests 89% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand after watching a testimonial video. For dental practices, videos showcasing smiling patients post-treatment can alleviate fears and showcase your expertise.

How to Implement: Invite satisfied patients to record short (30–60 second) videos sharing their experience, focusing on treatments like Invisalign, teeth whitening, or endodontic care. Post these on your website, YouTube, and social media. Ensure videos are professionally edited but authentic, with captions for accessibility.

3. Use Testimonials in Social Media Campaigns

Social media has the largest audience of any platform—and if you want to get noticed, that’s where you need to show up. It’s easy to use, cost-effective, and perfect for marketing your dental practice in a way that feels real and personal.

When it comes to attracting new patients, testimonials on social platforms can do what traditional ads can’t: build trust quickly. People scrolling through Instagram or Facebook don’t stop for stock images or clinic promos—but they will pause to read a short quote from someone just like them who had a great experience. For effective strategies, read our blog on dental social media post ideas.

Here’s how to make testimonial content work on social:

- Turn Reviews into Visual Posts: Take short, strong quotes from happy patients and create branded graphics. Share these on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn to build social proof.

- Share Short Video Testimonials Post 30–60 second reels/clips where patients talk about their positive experience. These videos build trust fast and perform well on Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

- Include a Clear CTA: After each testimonial, add a short message like “Book your visit today” or “Call us to schedule” with a link or phone number.

4. Incorporate Testimonials in Google Business Profile

One of the first things they do is check your clinic’s reviews, photos, and doctor info before even visiting your website. That’s why your Google Business Profile (GMB) needs to be fully optimized.

In that scenario, strong testimonials and up-to-date content make all the difference. They help patients feel confident that they’re choosing the right practice—especially when they’re in pain or need care fast. When your GMB is filled with positive patient stories, clear contact info, and helpful posts, it doesn’t just show up in local search results—it gets chosen.

How to Implement: Encourage patients to leave detailed reviews on your GBP, mentioning specific services like “emergency dental care” or “Invisalign treatment.” Respond to each review with gratitude, reinforcing your patient-first approach. Feature top reviews in GBP posts to highlight your expertise.

5. Leverage Testimonials in Email Marketing

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for nurturing patient relationships and attracting new ones. If a patient inquired about a treatment a few days ago but hasn’t followed up, sending them an encouraging story from another patient can help them feel more informed and confident about moving forward. Sometimes, a relatable success story is all it takes to turn hesitation into action. Learn how with with our healthcare email marketing services.

How to Implement: Embed patient testimonials in monthly newsletters, focusing on popular services like teeth whitening or orthodontic care. Pair testimonials with CTAs like “Book Your Consultation Today.” Segment emails to target new patients with trust-building content featuring success stories.

6. Create Case Studies from Patient Success Stories

Case studies are in-depth testimonials that showcase your expertise in complex procedures, ideal for specialties like endodontics or orthodontics. They provide tangible proof of your skills, appealing to high-intent patients researching advanced treatments.

How to Implement: Develop case studies for procedures like root canal retreatment or full-mouth reconstruction, including before-and-after X-rays (with consent) and patient quotes. Publish these on your website and share snippets on social media. Optimize with keywords like “endodontist Chicago” or “orthodontist Singapore.”

7. Respond to Testimonials to Build Trust

You know what? Even responding to a negative review can help you retain a patient. It shows you care, you listen, and you’re willing to make things right. See how to respond to negative reviews.

When you respond to testimonials—good or bad—you’re not just replying to one person. You’re showing every future patient that your practice values feedback and puts patient experience first.

A simple “Thank you for your kind words” or “We’re sorry to hear this, and we’d love a chance to make it right” can go a long way. It builds trust, strengthens your reputation, and helps convert patients.

How to Implement: Reply to every GBP and Yelp review, thanking patients for positive feedback and addressing concerns professionally. Personalize responses, e.g., “Thank you, Sarah, for trusting us with your Invisalign journey!” This humanizes your practice and encourages bookings.

8. Feature Testimonials in Local SEO Content

Patient testimonials do more than just build trust—they also support your local SEO. When you include them on your website, especially in blog posts or service pages, they naturally contain relevant keywords and location-based terms patients actually use in searches. This kind of content sends strong signals to Google. It tells the algorithm that your site is active, locally relevant, and focused on real patient experiences.

How to Implement: Embed testimonials in blog posts addressing patient concerns, e.g., “Is a Root Canal Painful?” Use location-specific quotes to target local searches. Optimize service pages with testimonials mentioning treatments and cities, e.g., “Pain-free dental implants in [location].”

Maximizing Your Dental Practice’s Success with Testimonials

Testimonials are a cornerstone of effective dental practice marketing, offering a cost-effective way to build trust, enhance credibility, and attract new patients. By strategically showcasing patient stories across your website, social media, GBP, emails, and ads, you can differentiate your practice in competitive markets.

The key is authenticity—use real, detailed testimonials that resonate with your target audience. To maximize results, track the impact of your testimonial strategies using tools like Google Analytics, GBP Insights, or CRM software. Monitor metrics like website conversions, appointment requests, and review growth to optimize your approach.

For expert guidance, consider partnering with a dental marketing agency like Remedo, which specializes in leveraging testimonials for patient acquisition.

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