The 10 Minute Dental Marketing Podcast

Introduction Choosing the right dental scheduling software reduces no-shows, increases patient satisfaction, and frees staff time. These show notes focus on selection criteria, feature trade-offs, and rollout tips to help you pick and implement a scheduling platform that fits your practice goals for 2026. What You’ll Learn The features that matter most for dental scheduling in 2026 How to evaluate platforms against practice needs and budget Implementation and change-management steps to reduce friction and no-shows Key metrics to track after launch Key Segments Core Selection Criteria Online booking and patient self-scheduling Two-way automated reminders (SMS and email) with confirmation and rescheduling links Integration with your practice management system and calendar sync Reporting on no-shows, confirmations, and appointment velocity Secure patient communication and HIPAA-compliant messaging Features That Reduce No-Shows Short-message reminders with one-tap confirmation or reschedule link Patient portals that show upcoming visits and allow quick rescheduling Wait-list and recall automation to fill last-minute openings Usability and Staff Workflow Simple front-desk interface for booking and managing same-day changes Team views, color-coded appointment types, and quick-blocking for emergencies Training resources and vendor support SLAs Implementation Tips Pilot with a small user group and a limited appointment type before full rollout Migrate with a data-cleanse: confirm patient contact info and opt-in status for messages Communicate changes to patients via email, text, and on-hold messaging ahead of launch Metrics to Track Post-Launch No-show rate and recovery rate after automated reminders Percentage of appointments self-booked online Time saved per day for front-desk staff and changes in scheduling errors Conclusion The right scheduling platform balances automation, integration, and usability to lower no-shows and free staff time. Evaluate systems against clear criteria, pilot before full rollout, and track simple metrics to measure impact. A special thanks to Dr. Jonathan Everett, of Burien Dental and Eric Xu of Precision Dentistry of Olympia for contributing to this episode. 

Introduction Recent federal legislation introduced tax and programmatic changes that affect dental practices, particularly pass-through entities and practices with meaningful Medicaid exposure. These show notes summarize the core provisions that commonly affect dental owners and outline near-term planning considerations. Continue reading (or listening) to see how the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts dental practices.  What You’ll Learn Which provisions are most likely to affect dental pass-through practices How depreciation, Section 179, and qualified business income rules may change equipment and taxable income treatment Which practices may benefit and which face revenue or compliance risk related to program changes Concrete tax-planning actions to discuss with your CPA Implementation timelines and practical next steps Key Segments Major Tax Changes Explained Review how depreciation and expensing rules apply to recent equipment purchases and planned capital spend. Evaluate the impact on taxable income calculations for owner-managed pass-through entities. Qualified Business Income and Pass-Throughs Reassess QBI calculations and thresholds in light of updated guidance; some planning that worked historically may need adjustment. Medicaid and Programmatic Effects Practices with significant Medicaid patient volumes should model revenue changes and billing implications tied to program updates. Near-Term Planning Actions Inventory recent capital purchases and planned buys; confirm optimal timing with your CPA. Revisit entity structure and owner compensation strategies where relevant. Ensure payroll and withholding systems are aligned with any new employer-related provisions. Compliance and Reporting Confirm new reporting deadlines and forms that may affect practice administration. Document policy changes and maintain supporting records for audit readiness. Conclusion The legislative changes present both planning opportunities and operational risks. Work with your CPA to model specific impacts, prioritize timing for capital decisions, and update reporting processes. Treat this as an item for immediate review on your next financial planning cycle. A special thanks to Jared Ripplinger, CPA, MBA, CFP®, CVA of Utah Accounting Firm, CMP for writing this blog post. 

Introduction Independent dental practices can stay competitive against larger Dental Service Organizations by emphasizing strengths DSOs find difficult to replicate: deep patient relationships, local reputation, agility, and focused service positioning. These show notes summarize practical, local-first strategies to protect and grow an independent practice. What You’ll Learn Why independence is a defensible position versus DSOs How to convert patient relationships into measurable marketing advantages Local SEO and review strategies that move the needle Operational and technology choices that improve patient experience and margins Quick wins and longer-term initiatives to protect and grow revenue Key Segments Personalize Care at Every Touchpoint Make continuity (same-dentist visits) visible in your messaging and intake flows. Train front-desk and clinical teams to capture and use patient details for follow-up and retention. Modernize Technology Where It Matters Prioritize tech that reduces friction: online intake, easy booking, secure texting, and intraoral imaging. Choose tools that save time or increase conversion rather than buying every available solution. Strengthen Local Presence Optimize your local listings and add location- and service-specific pages so searches map to intent and convert. Use service-focused pages (for example, “anxiety-free dentistry [city]”) to match search intent. Treat Customer Service as Clinical Care Standardize response SLAs for calls and leads; measure and close leads within a set window. Quick, consistent phone handling is a competitive advantage. Define a Local Niche Pick one or two specialties (cosmetic, pediatric, sedation, same-day crowns) and own them across your website, social, and community outreach. We see Carlsbad Pediatric Dentist, Afsoon Fazeli doing a great job of this! Community Visibility Sponsor or participate in local events, host open houses or hygiene days, and partner with neighborhood organizations to build recognition. Operational & Financial Discipline Track patient mix, show rates, reappointment percentage, and marginal profitability by service. Avoid competing on price; optimize margins and capacity. Conclusion Independent dentists can win where DSOs cannot: relationship depth, local trust, and operational flexibility. Combine focused service positioning, local search presence, a superior patient experience, and tight operational metrics to convert those advantages into sustainable growth. Learn more about Tyson Downs, the owner of Titan Web Agency.

Dentists: Get Better Results from Google Ads by Doing This Introduction Google Ads are a fast way to reach potential dental patients—but only if you set them up correctly. This episode covers practical tactics to make your dental ads stand out, lower your costs, and attract more qualified new patients. Dive deeper in our source: how dentists can get better results from Google Ads. What You’ll Learn The fundamentals of setting up high-ROI dental ad campaigns Tips for selecting the best keywords and negative keywords How to boost the quality and relevance of your ads Tools for tracking conversions (calls and leads) How to create stronger ad copy and landing pages Key Segments Define Your Ideal Patient Build patient personas to target precisely Use location, age, and service-specific info Choose the Right Keywords Focus on high-intent and local keywords Add negative keywords to filter out irrelevant clicks Write Compelling Ad Copy Highlight your unique services and offers Use clear calls to action Optimize Landing Pages Match landing page content to the ad Make it easy for visitors to schedule or call Track and Optimize Performance Set up conversion tracking for calls and online leads Analyze results and adjust campaigns for better ROI Conclusion Getting the most from Google Ads takes targeted strategy, clear messaging, and constant review. Apply these tips to lower costs, attract more patients, and grow your practice.   A special thanks to Dr. Fazeli of Discovery Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics in Carlsbad, CA, for providing input on this episode. 

Using Patient Feedback in Dentistry to Strengthen Your Marketing Introduction Patient feedback is more than just reviews—it’s a powerful marketing tool. In this episode, we break down how to collect, analyze, and use patient feedback to drive practice improvement and win trust in your community. Learn more in our source: how to use patient feedback in your dental marketing. What You’ll Learn The most effective ways to get feedback from patients How to use feedback to guide improvements and marketing messages Practical ideas for managing and collecting more reviews Tips for addressing negative feedback productively Tools and systems to automate feedback collection Key Segments Request Feedback Regularly Ask for feedback during or after appointments Make it easy with digital surveys and follow-up emails Encourage Public Reviews Request Google and Facebook reviews after positive visits Show patients where and how to leave reviews Monitor and Respond to Feedback Address concerns in a timely manner Thank patients for both positive and constructive input Analyze Trends and Take Action Identify common themes or suggestions Implement changes based on what patients want Leverage Positive Feedback in Marketing Use testimonials on your website and social channels Share success stories (with permission) Conclusion Collecting—and acting on—feedback helps your practice improve, builds trust, and fuels your marketing with authentic patient success stories.   A special thanks to Dr. Megan Post, DDS of Decatur Dental Care in Decatur, GA for contributing to this episode.