Reviews are the new word-of-mouth. In 2026, patients check your Google reviews before they even consider calling. The practices winning new patients are the ones systematically generating reviews—not waiting for them to happen organically.
Why Reviews Matter
Consider these statistics from BrightLocal's 2025 survey:
- Only 4% of consumers say they never read online reviews
- 74% use two or more review sites when researching businesses
- Star rating is the #1 factor patients consider
Reviews directly impact your Google rankings too. More reviews (especially recent ones) signal to Google that your practice is active, legitimate, and trusted.
Timing Is Everything
The best time to ask for a review is when the patient is most satisfied:
Perfect Moments
- Right after treatment: When they're relieved the procedure went well
- Positive comments: When they compliment the experience
- Treatment completion: At the end of Invisalign, whitening, or multi-visit procedures
- Post-op check: When you confirm healing is going great
Moments to Avoid
- When they're still numb
- After receiving a large bill
- When they're rushing out
- During or right after a difficult procedure
How to Ask
The right words make all the difference. Here are scripts that work:
In-Person (Checkout Desk)
"Mrs. Johnson, I'm so glad everything went well today! If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate it if you could share your experience on Google. It helps other patients find us, and we'd love to hear your feedback."
After Treatment Success
"Congratulations on finishing your Invisalign treatment! You've been such a great patient. Would you mind leaving us a Google review? It would mean a lot to Dr. [Name] and our team."
Via Text (Post-Appointment)
"Hi [First Name]! Thanks for visiting us today at [Practice Name]. If you have a moment, we'd love for you to share your experience: [Google Review Link]. Thank you!"
Never offer incentives for reviews—it violates Google's terms and most state dental board regulations. Focus on great experiences and genuine asks.
SMS & Email Campaigns
Automated follow-up dramatically increases review volume. Here's the cadence:
Same-Day SMS (Highest Response)
Send within 2-4 hours of appointment:
"Thanks for visiting [Practice Name] today, [First Name]! How'd we do? Share your experience: [Direct Google Review Link]"
Next-Day Email (For Those Who Don't Text)
Follow up with email if no SMS response:
- Subject: "How was your visit, [First Name]?"
- Keep it short and personal
- Direct link to Google (not your website)
Response Rates
| Method | Typical Response Rate |
|---|---|
| SMS (same day) | 15-25% |
| Email (next day) | 5-10% |
| In-person ask only | 3-5% |
Making It Easy
Every obstacle reduces reviews. Remove friction:
Direct Review Links
Create a short link that goes directly to your Google review popup:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Copy the "Share review form" link
- Shorten it with bit.ly or your own domain
- Example: yourdentist.com/review
QR Codes
- At checkout desk
- On appointment reminder cards
- In treatment rooms
- On receipts
Staff Training
- Everyone should know the process
- Practice the ask scripts
- Celebrate review milestones
- Track who's driving reviews
Automation Tools
Software makes review generation consistent:
| Tool | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Podium | $289/mo | SMS reviews, webchat, payments |
| Birdeye | $299/mo | Reviews, listings, surveys |
| Weave | $399/mo | Phone, messaging, reviews |
| Demandforce | $199/mo | Recall, reviews, reputation |
| Solutionreach | Custom | Patient communication, reviews |
Monitor your reviews across platforms and see how you compare to competitors—free. Get started free →
The Bottom Line
Getting more reviews isn't about being pushy—it's about systematically asking at the right time, making it easy, and following up consistently. Start with in-person asks, add SMS same-day follow-up, and watch your review count climb. The practices with the most reviews didn't get lucky—they built a system.
