How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Dental Practice

Send via WhatsApp, not email

WhatsApp open rates are 98%. Email open rates average 22% for healthcare. The channel is the most significant variable in response rate. A WhatsApp message that says "Hey [Name], hope the appointment wasn't too bad — how are you getting on?" feels personal. The same message in an email goes in the same folder as appointment reminders and newsletters.

Time it based on treatment type

Message timing is critical. For routine checkups and hygiene appointments: 3 hours after the appointment. For fillings and restorations: 4–6 hours. For extractions and surgical work: 24–48 hours. For implants and orthodontic treatment: 5–7 days. Sending too early (patient may still be numb or in discomfort) or too late (appointment forgotten) both significantly reduce response rates.

Keep the opening message conversational

The first message should feel like a check-in, not a review request. "Hey [Name], hope everything went well today — how are you feeling?" gets a much higher response rate than "We'd love a Google review if you have 2 minutes." Let the AI read their reply and score their sentiment before deciding whether to send the review link.

Use AI to decide who gets the review link

Happy patients (sentiment score 4–5) receive your Google review link in the follow-up message. Dissatisfied patients (1–3) receive a personal follow-up from your team instead. This is not review gating — you're not suppressing negative reviews. You're giving unhappy patients a direct resolution path first, which often resolves the issue before they post publicly.

Respond to every review

Responding to all reviews — positive and negative — signals to Google that your profile is actively managed. For negative reviews, respond within 24 hours, professionally, without disclosing clinical details. A well-handled response to a negative review often reassures prospective patients more than a 5-star review does.

Using SMS instead of WhatsApp

SMS delivery rates are declining. WhatsApp is where patients communicate in 2026. If your platform only supports SMS, you're leaving significant response rate on the table.

Sending a generic blast to all patients at once

Batch-sending to all patients at the same time looks automated and impersonal. The message should arrive shortly after the specific appointment, personalised with the patient's name.

Asking directly for a 5-star review

Asking patients to 'leave us a 5-star review' violates Google's policies and feels transactional. Ask for honest feedback. Patients who had a good experience will leave positive reviews naturally when asked in a personal, low-pressure way.

Not responding to negative reviews

Ignoring negative reviews is worse than receiving them. A negative review with no response makes the practice look unresponsive. A professional response demonstrates that you take patient feedback seriously.

One fixed timing for all treatments

A single 24-hour delay for all appointments misses the optimal window for many treatment types. Same-day checkups need same-day follow-up. Post-surgical patients need days.