How to Ask Dental Patients for Reviews (Without Sounding Pushy)

When it comes to attracting new patients, online reviews are one of the most powerful tools for dental practices. A strong reputation on Google, Yelp, or Healthgrades can influence whether someone books an appointment—or keeps scrolling to the next dentist.

But here’s the challenge: while most patients are happy with their care, only a small percentage actually leave reviews. So how do you encourage feedback without sounding pushy or making patients uncomfortable?

At Dental Base, we’ve helped dozens of dental practices build strong online reputations. Here’s a practical guide on how to ask patients for reviews the right way.

Why Reviews Matter for Dental Practices

Before diving into the “how,” it’s important to understand the “why.”

Trust and credibility – Patients trust other patients’ words more than marketing messages.
Local SEO boost – Google uses reviews as a ranking factor. More positive reviews = higher visibility.
Patient insights – Reviews highlight what patients love about your practice (and where you can improve).
Competitive advantage – A steady stream of positive feedback helps you stand out in a crowded local market.

When to Ask for Reviews

Timing is everything. You want to catch patients when they feel most satisfied.

Immediately after an appointment – Right after a cleaning or successful procedure, patients are more likely to share positive feedback.
At checkout – When they’re scheduling their next visit or paying their bill, you can politely mention reviews.
In follow-up emails or texts – Sending a short thank-you note with a review link is highly effective.
After resolving an issue – If a patient had a concern that you addressed well, they may leave a review praising your customer service.

How to Ask for Reviews Without Sounding Pushy

Here are strategies to make review requests feel natural and genuine:

1. Ask in Person, Casually

Train your front desk or hygienists to mention reviews in a friendly, non-scripted way.
Example:
“We’re glad you had a great visit today. If you don’t mind, sharing your experience on Google really helps other patients find us.”

2. Use Printed Reminders

Place small signs or cards at reception with QR codes linking directly to your Google review page. Patients can scan and review instantly.

3. Leverage Email & Text Follow-ups

Send a short, personalized message after the appointment.
Example:
“Hi Sarah, thank you for visiting [Your Practice Name] today! We’d love to hear your feedback—please take a minute to leave us a review here [insert link].”

4. Automate the Process

Many dental software systems allow you to send automated review requests. This ensures consistency without adding extra work for your team.

5. Acknowledge Every Review

When patients see you respond thoughtfully to reviews (both positive and negative), they feel more encouraged to leave one themselves.

Best Practices for Review Requests

Keep it simple – Provide a direct link to your Google or Yelp profile. Don’t make patients search.
Be authentic – Avoid generic scripts. Personal touches go a long way.
Don’t incentivize reviews – Offering discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews can violate platform rules. Instead, focus on genuine requests.
Train your staff – Everyone in the practice should know how and when to ask.

Examples of Phrases You Can Use

Here are a few non-pushy ways to ask:

“If you enjoyed your visit, would you mind leaving us a quick review? It really helps other patients.”
“We’d love your feedback! A short review online would mean a lot to our team.”
“Our practice grows through word of mouth. If you’d share your experience on Google, we’d really appreciate it.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While asking for reviews is important, avoid these pitfalls:

Sounding desperate – Patients should never feel pressured.
Asking only happy patients – Encourage all feedback. A mix of reviews looks more authentic.
Ignoring negative reviews – Always respond professionally and show you care.
Not tracking progress – Monitor your review growth so you know what’s working.

How Reviews Improve Local SEO

Reviews aren’t just about reputation—they directly impact your local SEO rankings. Here’s how:

Keyword-rich content – Patients naturally mention services (“best Invisalign in [city]”) which boosts rankings.
Review quantity & frequency – A steady flow of new reviews signals credibility to Google.
High star ratings – Practices with 4.5 stars or higher tend to rank better in Google’s “map pack.”
Responses from the practice – Engaging with reviews shows activity and trustworthiness.

Why Partner With Dental Base

At Dental Base, we help practices like yours build strong online reputations through proven strategies:

Automated review request systems.
Staff training on patient-friendly scripts.
Monitoring and responding to reviews.
Reputation management dashboards to track progress.

Our goal is simple: make your practice the top choice in your local area by leveraging the power of online reviews.

Final Thoughts

Asking for reviews doesn’t have to feel awkward or pushy. By timing your requests right, keeping them simple, and responding authentically, you can build a steady stream of positive feedback.

Remember: patients want to help you succeed—they just need a little reminder to share their experience.

With the right approach, you’ll not only improve your online reputation but also boost your local SEO, attract more patients, and strengthen trust in your community.

📞 Want to simplify patient review management?
Contact Dental Base today to learn how we can help you automate requests and grow your reputation.