If you’re a dentist, odds are you’ve already felt the pressure of online reviews. A single negative review can stall new patient inquiries, while a steady flow of five-stars can put your practice on the map. But what separates practices that thrive from those that just “hope for the best”? Systems. Smart, ethical systems.

Getting reviews shouldn’t be awkward, time-consuming, or pushy. And displaying them? That’s not about bragging—it’s about trust. In this guide, we’ll show you how to gather more dental reviews consistently, where to display them for maximum impact, and what to avoid if you want to stay compliant and respected.

Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever

Over 70% of patients say online reviews are their first step before choosing a dentist. And among those, most won’t even consider a provider with fewer than 4 stars. Translation: reviews aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. They build credibility, reduce no-shows, and create the social proof patients are quietly scanning for.

How to Ethically Ask for Dental Reviews

You can’t pay for reviews. You can’t bribe patients. But you can (and should) invite feedback in a thoughtful, professional way. Here’s how to do it without feeling salesy—or getting slapped with a platform penalty.

1. Ask at the Right Time

• Right after a successful appointment. If a patient just got their Invisalign tray fitted and said “That was easier than I thought!”—that’s your moment.
• After a compliment. If someone praises your hygienist or front desk, say: “Thank you so much—it really helps when patients like you share that in a review.”

2. Make It Ridiculously Easy

Don’t just ask. Give them a 1-tap way to leave it. That might mean:

• A short link in a text after their visit
• A QR code on a checkout card
• A button in your follow-up email

If you’re on Google Business Profile (and you should be), you can generate a direct review link from your profile dashboard. Use that—don’t send them to your homepage and hope they find the review form.

3. Keep It Private and Optional

Never pressure patients. The best approach is a calm invitation, not a guilt trip. “If you had a good experience, we’d be grateful if you shared it with others.” That’s it.

Where to Display Reviews on Your Website

This is where most practices drop the ball. They collect great feedback, then bury it on a “testimonials” page no one visits. Don’t do that. Here’s how to make reviews work for you on every page.

1. Front Page Placement

Highlight your latest 1–3 five-star reviews on your homepage—ideally with a photo or first name. This boosts trust fast, especially when paired with a strong brand identity.

2. Service-Specific Praise

Got patients who rave about your cosmetic work? Put those reviews on your veneers or whitening pages. This shows you’re not just good—you’re good at what they’re looking for.

3. In Your Footer or Sidebar

Consider adding a rotating review widget in your website’s footer. This keeps social proof visible no matter where visitors are. Tools like EmbedSocial or Elfsight make it easy to sync Google or Facebook reviews without tech headaches.

4. Don’t Fake It

Don’t invent reviews. Don’t copy-paste from private emails. Use real quotes from real patients. If you want to use initials or partial names for privacy, that’s fine. But keep it authentic.

Responding to Reviews (Even the Bad Ones)

Yes, you should respond to reviews—especially negative ones. But there’s a right and wrong way to do it.

The Right Way:

• Be calm, polite, and brief
• Thank them for their feedback
• Offer to make things right offline (e.g., “We’d love to learn more and see if we can help—feel free to call our office directly.”)

The Wrong Way:

• Getting defensive or emotional
• Sharing patient details (HIPAA violation alert)
• Arguing point-by-point online

If a review is truly false or malicious, you can flag it for review on Google or the platform it appears on. But in most cases, a calm and classy response does more for your reputation than a perfect 5.0 average.

Automate Without Losing the Human Touch

If you’re serious about growing your review count, automation is your friend. Tools like Swell, Birdeye, or RevenueWell integrate directly with practice management software to send review invitations automatically after appointments.

But don’t forget the human side. Automated messages work best when paired with a personal ask: “You’ll get a quick message later—if you don’t mind sharing your experience, it’d really help.” That combo gets results.

How Many Reviews Do You Really Need?

There’s no magic number, but here’s what we’ve seen work well:

• 10+ reviews: You’ve got a pulse. People will at least consider you.
• 25+ reviews: You’re starting to stand out. This is the threshold for most competitive areas.
• 50–100+ reviews: You’re a top-tier contender. Consistency is key—no one wants to see 35 reviews from 2022 and none since.

Spread your reviews across platforms—Google is king, but Facebook, Healthgrades, and Yelp matter too (depending on your area).

Final Tip: Reviews Are a Reflection

Getting better reviews starts with giving better experiences. That doesn’t mean overhauling everything. Often, it’s the small things: explaining procedures clearly, minimizing wait times, remembering a patient’s name. Every moment is a chance to build goodwill—and goodwill turns into reviews.

For more ideas on refining the patient experience through smart, lean design, check out our thoughts on building trust through content. While that post speaks to schools, the principles apply directly to medical and dental brands too: clear messaging, modern design, and a focus on trust.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not just fixing teeth. You’re building relationships. Reviews are just the receipts.

Ready to Build a Site That Shows Off Your Reputation?

If your current site doesn’t showcase your best reviews—or worse, makes it hard for patients to leave them—it’s time for an upgrade. We build clean, professional, review-friendly websites for dental practices that care about trust, speed, and results. Let’s chat.