Patient reviews now decide which dental practice gets the call. They help determine where you rank in Google's Map Pack, whether a new patient trusts you, and what AI tools like ChatGPT say when someone asks for "the best dentist near me."
These are the questions dentists and office managers ask us most about how to get more Google reviews for a dental practice, with straight answers.
Key takeaways
- Ask every patient the same way: in person at the end of the visit, then by text with a direct review link one to two hours later.
- Aim for at least 20 reviews, then match or beat the monthly review pace of the top three practices in your Map Pack.
- Never offer incentives, ask only happy patients, or let staff and family review you.
- Since April 2026, Google prohibits directing staff to request reviews that name a team member and requiring staff to collect a set number of reviews.
- Reply to every review within 48 hours without confirming that the reviewer is a patient.
- Detailed reviews written in patients' own words give AI tools the language to recommend you.
How do you get more Google reviews for a dental practice?
To get more Google reviews, ask every patient the same way: in person at the end of a good visit, then by text with a direct review link one to two hours later. Never offer incentives or ask only happy patients. Reply to every review within 48 hours without confirming that the reviewer is a patient. Aim for a steady stream of new reviews every week, not a one-time push.
For the full step-by-step routine, with scripts and text templates, see our Google reviews playbook for dentists.
Key numbers dental practices should know
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 97% | of consumers read reviews when choosing a local business; 41% now always read them (up from 29%) |
| 68% | require at least a 4-star rating; 31% require 4.5 stars or higher (up from 17%) |
| 47% | won't use a business with fewer than 20 reviews |
| 74% | pay attention only to reviews written in the last three months |
| 45% | now use AI tools like ChatGPT for local recommendations (up from 6%) |
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026.
Getting more reviews
How many Google reviews does a dental practice need?
At least 20. Nearly half of consumers won't use a business with fewer than 20 reviews. After that, aim to match or beat the monthly review pace of the top three practices in your Map Pack. Steady, recent reviews matter more than a large total.
How do I get older patients to leave Google reviews?
Ask in person and offer to help. Older patients do leave reviews when a team member walks them through it on their own phone. Never type the review for them.
Should we ask recall patients for a review at every visit?
No. Ask once, then wait several months. Thank patients who have already reviewed you instead of asking again.
What if a patient says they'll leave a review but never does?
Send one reminder about three days after the visit, then let it go. More than one reminder starts to feel like pressure.
Can patients leave a review on our office iPad?
Avoid it. Reviews posted from the practice's device or Wi-Fi can be filtered out as suspicious. Patients should use their own phone.
Google, FTC and HIPAA rules for dental reviews
Can we offer a discount or raffle entry for reviews?
No. Google prohibits any incentive for reviews, and the FTC's rule on consumer reviews bans incentives tied to positive reviews.
Can staff or family members leave reviews?
No. Google treats it as a conflict of interest, and the FTC considers undisclosed reviews from employees and their relatives deceptive.
Can we ask patients to mention a team member's name in their review?
No. Since April 2026, Google's policy prohibits businesses from directing staff to request reviews with specific content, including content that names a staff member. Patients can still mention people on their own, but your team shouldn't prompt them to.
Can we reward our team for getting more reviews?
Be careful. Since April 2026, Google also prohibits businesses from requiring staff to collect a set number of reviews. Avoid review quotas, contests and bonuses based on review counts or name mentions. Recognize your team for consistently asking every patient instead, and never reward patients for writing reviews.
Can we send a satisfaction survey before asking for a review?
Only if every patient still gets the Google review link. Sending the link only to patients who rate you highly is called review gating, and Google prohibits it.
Can we post our Google reviews on our website?
Generally yes, because patients posted them publicly. Don't add any patient details, and check with your compliance advisor before using reviews in ads.
Responding to reviews, including negative ones
Should we thank patients by name when replying?
The safest approach is no. Keep replies general so you never confirm that someone is a patient. Use a simple formula: thank them for sharing, reinforce your values (not their treatment), and invite them to call. Sign with the practice name.
How do we get a bad Google review removed?
Only reviews that break Google's policies can be removed, such as fake, spam, offensive or conflict-of-interest reviews. Flag them through your Google Business Profile, and never pay a review removal service.
What if the reviewer was never our patient?
Say you can't find a record of the experience described and invite them to call. Don't discuss your records publicly, then flag the review.
Should we respond to star-only reviews?
Yes, briefly. Responding to every review shows patients and Google that your practice is active and listening.
Can we use AI like ChatGPT to write review replies?
Yes, as a first draft that a trained team member edits. Never paste patient information into an AI tool.
How fast should we respond to reviews?
Within 24 to 48 hours, and the same day when possible. Nearly one in five consumers now expects a same-day reply.
Review platforms and tools
Do Yelp, Healthgrades and Facebook reviews matter for dentists?
Google comes first, because it drives the Map Pack and feeds AI answers. Healthgrades is growing for healthcare searches, so claim your free profile and keep it accurate. Yelp discourages businesses from asking for reviews, so don't ask for Yelp reviews specifically.
How should a practice with two locations handle reviews?
Give each location its own Google Business Profile and its own review link, and send patients to the location they actually visited.
Do we lose our reviews if we change our name or address?
Not if you update your existing Google Business Profile. Creating a new profile starts your review count from zero.
What review software should a dental practice use?
Start with what you already have. Many patient communication platforms include automated review texts that are switched off by default. The best tool is the one that connects to your practice management software.
Reviews and AI search
How do I know if ChatGPT is recommending my dental practice?
You can ask it yourself, but answers vary by user and location. A dedicated AI visibility tool, such as SERP Dental's AscendVu, tracks it consistently over time.
Does replying to reviews help with AI search?
It signals an active practice, but what patients write matters most. Detailed reviews written in patients' own words give AI tools the language to recommend you. Don't script what patients write, because Google prohibits requesting reviews with specific content.
To see how reviews fit into AI visibility as a whole, read how to get ChatGPT to recommend your dental practice, or see our dental SEO and AI ranking services.
Results and expectations
How long does it take to see results?
Your review pace changes in the first week you start asking every patient. Improvements in Map Pack rankings and new-patient calls typically build over a few months of steady reviews.
How can we improve a 4.2-star rating?
Increase volume. A steady stream of new reviews from satisfied patients lifts your average. Calculate how many 5-star reviews it takes to reach 4.5, and make that your goal.
What should we do if a competitor has fake reviews?
Report them to Google with specific details. Don't retaliate with fake reviews of your own.
Five things to do this week
- Copy your direct Google review link from your Business Profile ("Ask for reviews") and share it with your team.
- Name one team member as your Review Champion.
- Turn on same-day review texts in the software you already use, for every completed visit.
- Put a QR code sign at checkout.
- Reply to your last 10 unanswered reviews using Thank, Reinforce, Invite.
Want to know where your practice stands? SERP Dental can show you how your reviews, Google rankings and AI visibility compare with nearby practices. Contact SERP Dental.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many Google reviews does a dental practice need?
At least 20. Nearly half of consumers (47%) won't use a business with fewer than 20 reviews. After that, aim to match or beat the monthly review pace of the top three practices in your Google Map Pack, because steady, recent reviews matter more than a large total.
Can we offer a discount or raffle entry for Google reviews?
No. Google prohibits any incentive for reviews, and the FTC rule on consumer reviews bans incentives tied to positive reviews.
Can we ask patients to mention a team member's name in their review?
No. Since April 2026, Google's policy prohibits businesses from directing staff to request reviews with specific content, including content that names a staff member. Patients can still mention people on their own, but your team shouldn't prompt them to.
Can we send a patient satisfaction survey before asking for a review?
Only if every patient still gets the Google review link. Sending the link only to patients who rate you highly is called review gating, and Google prohibits it.
Should we thank patients by name when replying to reviews?
The safest approach is no. Keep replies general so you never confirm that someone is a patient, which protects you under HIPAA.
How do we get a bad Google review removed?
Only reviews that break Google's policies can be removed, such as fake, spam, offensive or conflict-of-interest reviews. Flag them through your Google Business Profile, and never pay a review removal service.
How fast should a dental practice respond to Google reviews?
Within 24 to 48 hours, and the same day when possible. Nearly one in five consumers now expects a same-day response.
Does replying to reviews help with AI search?
It signals an active, engaged practice, but the review text patients write matters most. Detailed reviews written in patients' own words give AI tools the language to recommend you. Don't script what patients write; Google prohibits requesting reviews with specific content.
Sources
- Local Consumer Review Survey 2026
- Maps user-contributed content policy
- Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465)
- HIPAA enforcement actions: resolution agreements and civil money penalties
Keep reading
Sonia Hounsell is Co-CEO of SERP Dental, a division of AscendPoint Agency. A brand marketer classically trained in healthcare at companies like Pfizer and Bayer, she launched an oral care product, took it to Shark Tank, and later sold the company.
