Let’s face it—most people would rather do just about anything than go to the dentist. Root canal or jury duty? Toss-up. Deep cleaning or hang out with their in-laws? Close call.

So when a patient does come in, and better yet, comes back, you better believe that’s a big win. If they even refer someone? You just hit the dental equivalent of a royal flush.

But how do you get from “just another dental office” to “Oh my gosh, you have to go see my dentist”? Spoiler alert: It takes more than a comfy chair and the smell of vanilla-scented fluoride.

Here’s how to build a patient experience so good they’ll brag about it—and more importantly, come back.

1. Stop Talking Like a Robot With Patients

You’re not a walking CDT codebook. Patients don’t want to hear that their "tooth #8 has marginal integrity issues and you recommend a D2740 crown restoration." What the patient really wants to know is that their tooth is loose, cracked, and likely going to fall out. They just want it fixed before they go on vacation looking like a toothless pirate with a fractional smile.

Pro Tip: Talk like a human. Use metaphors, analogies, or even gasp jokes. Explain things simply and clearly. If your patient leaves thinking “I finally get it,” you win.

2. Build the “Cheers” Effect

You know the theme: “Where everybody knows your name…”

Your front desk team should be the rockstars of recognition. A simple “Welcome back, Stacy! How’s your daughter doing at school?” turns a routine checkup into a feel-good moment.

Reality Check: If your front desk greets everyone like they’re interrupting a very important TikTok scroll session, you may have a retention problem.

3. Make Your Office Not Feel Like… a Dental Office

Why do most dental offices look like 1980s government buildings? Gray walls. Fluorescent lights. A fish tank with one very tired goldfish named Larry.

Time to level up.
Add some ambiance. Spotify playlist with happy tunes. Coffee bar. Wall art that makes people laugh (example: “Floss like a boss”). A photo wall of happy patients (with permission!). This is not HGTV—we’re talking warm, modern, and inviting.

If patients are taking selfies in your lobby and tagging you, congrats. You’ve arrived.

4. Give Them a Reason to Say "Wow"

Most patients expect dental visits to be boring, stressful, or painful. Exceeding those low expectations? Easy.

Offer a warm neck pillow. Text post-op instructions instead of handing them a tree's worth of paper. Do follow-up calls that feel caring, not canned.

Little things = Big loyalty.
Think: "unexpected thoughtfulness." That’s the stuff patients tell their friends about. “Girl, they gave me chapstick and a blanket. It was like the Ritz Carlton of dentistry.”

5. Be the Tooth Whisperer—Not the Salesperson

Nobody likes feeling sold to—especially when they’re drooling in a bib. (Just an FYI, they are not drooling because you're good looking. You're wearing a mask after all!)

When you explain treatment, do it from a place of helping, not hustling. Educate, don’t pressure. Give them time to decide. And when they say “yes,” celebrate them like they just joined your VIP club (because they kinda did).

Warning: If your treatment coordinator sounds more like a used car salesman than a care advocate, it’s time for some coaching.

6. Turn Your Team Into Retention Ninjas

Your hygienists and front desk team are your secret weapons. They spend more time with patients than you do. Make sure they’re trained, empowered, and excited to be part of something amazing.

Run morning huddles. Celebrate wins. Share stories. Set goals like, “Let’s get 10 Google reviews this month” or “Let’s call every overdue patient with a smile they can hear.”

Pro Tip: Incentivize team retention efforts with small rewards. Starbucks cards now = full schedules later.

7. Follow Up Like You Actually Care (Because You Do… Right?)

So many offices ghost their patients after a visit. No check-in. No thank-you. No follow-up.

Send thank-you texts. Send appointment reminders that are funny or personal. Text after tough procedures. Send birthday cards. (Yes, they notice.)

Example Text:
“Hey John, your root canal today was a total success. You were awesome. Enjoy that ice cream and let us know if you need anything. We’re cheering for your molar!”

Bonus: Embrace Google Like It’s Your Best Friend

Online reviews are the new word-of-mouth. A dental office with 10 reviews is forgettable. A dental office with 200 reviews and a 4.9-star rating? Now that office gets attention.

Ask. Every. Time.
Use QR codes, links in follow-up texts, or even a review station at checkout. The best time to ask for a review is when a patient is smiling and saying, “Wow, this place is amazing.”

Humor Hook: If Google reviews were a currency, your goal is to become a dental millionaire.

Final Thought: Let’s Be Real…

You don’t need a magic wand to build a brag-worthy practice. You just need to care deeply, communicate clearly, and make the dental experience suck less—or even (dare we say it?) fun.

People talk about what makes them feel good. And when they feel seen, heard, and valued at your office? They’ll talk. They’ll refer. They’ll return.

Dentistry isn’t just drilling and billing. It’s a relationship business. And if you master that part, your practice will thrive—even in a world where insurance companies still think a $1,500 annual max is generous.

Need help navigating the crazy world of insurance so you can focus more on this kind of stuff?

Visit VeritasDentalResources.com—the insurance whisperers, PPO warriors, and dental advocates you didn’t know you needed. They'll help you fight the battles behind the scenes so you can build the kind of practice people won’t stop talking about (in a good way).

Now go out there and make someone brag about you. Just maybe not about your flossing lecture.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com