Why Google Reviews are Important for Doctors & Dentists: A Simple, Honest Guide

That moment when you look for a new doctor or dentist—you either scroll through endless lists not sure who to choose or your eyes go straight to those little yellow stars. Maybe you check what other patients say before you ever pick up the phone. If you’ve ever wondered, “Do Google reviews really matter for my doctor’s or dentist’s office?” or even, “Should I trust them before making an appointment?”—you’re not alone. Thousands of people are asking the same question, and today, we’re going to answer it, clearly and honestly.

In This Article

• The Real-World Impact of Google Reviews
• Why Reviews Make People Trust You More
• How Google Reviews Help Grow Your Patient List
• How Reviews Help Make Your Office Better
• Easy Steps: How to Handle Google Reviews the Right Way
• Who Gets the Most from Reviews—and Who Should Be Careful?
• Your Simple Takeaway: Building Trust Online

The Real-World Impact of Google Reviews

Let’s get right to the point: Yes, Google reviews matter—a lot. They are not just another online number or some game to see who’s most popular. For doctors and dentists, reviews are like the front door to your office, both online and in real life. When people look for healthcare, they want to know:

• “Can I trust this doctor?”
• “Will this dentist be kind with my child?”
• “Is this place clean, caring, and professional?”

Google reviews help answer these questions before someone ever comes in.

Think about this: According to new studies, 82% of people (including you and me) read online reviews when searching for doctors or dentists. It’s not just young people—everyone, from busy moms to grandparents, uses these reviews.

And honestly: Even doctors and dentists check reviews for restaurants or car mechanics. Why wouldn’t patients do the same for something as important as their health?

Why Reviews Make People Trust You More

So, what makes online reviews—especially Google reviews—so special for doctors and dentists?

Like Word-of-Mouth, Only Bigger

Remember when you would ask a friend if they knew a good doctor or dentist? Reviews are just like that—except now, you can hear from lots of people at once. People call this “social proof”—which just means we trust others’ experiences, especially when making big decisions.

Now, instead of just hearing from one person, you get a crowd of real voices all in one spot. Studies say that 78% of people are more likely to choose a doctor or dentist if they see good reviews, and most want to see at least 4 stars before even thinking about booking.

Shows You’re the Real Deal

Google reviews don’t just help people—they send a message to Google, too. Lots of good reviews tell Google that your office is busy, trusted, and helping real people. That means you show up higher in search results, so more people can see you.

Quick example:

• Doctor A: 4.8 stars, 65 Google reviews, answers to both good and bad comments.
• Doctor B: 2 reviews, no updates, not sure if they’re open.

Who would you trust with your health? Here’s another fact: 54% of patients will only even think about providers with at least 4 stars. That’s a big reason for offices to care about reviews.

How Google Reviews Help Grow Your Patient List

Let’s break this down more and show what really happens when your practice pays attention to reviews.

1. You Get More New Patients (and They Stay)

Google reviews help you stand out. They work like a big bright sign saying, “People like us!” But it’s not just the stars. Real stories, kind words, and even how you answer not-so-great feedback all make a difference.

• Nearly 92% of people say they’d rather go to a doctor or dentist who has at least one review.
• When making a final choice? 70% of people say reviews are “very” or “super” important.

2. You Show Up Higher on Google (Local Search Power)

Google’s search looks for what people like and trust. Offices with lots of reviews (especially new ones) are more likely to show up in local Google Maps results—the important “Local Pack.” People searching “dentist near me” are more likely to see your office if Google thinks you’re popular and trusted.

• Clinics with more than 10 reviews usually rank higher in their area.
• Google My Business pages with reviews and pictures get 35% more clicks and 42% more people asking for directions.

3. You Turn Searches Into Actual Appointments

Higher ratings and great reviews often turn “maybe” into “yes, I want to book.” When people see ten clinics, the ones with better scores get picked. Sometimes, you get more new patients without spending money on ads.

• Saying thanks to reviews—even upset ones—can raise your average stars by up to 0.5 stars.
• Going up just one star can bump your income by 5-9%. That’s great for something you can do yourself.

How Reviews Help Make Your Office Better

Google reviews aren’t just for finding new patients. They help you see what’s going well—and what could be better.

Get Honest Feedback

Every doctor or dentist wants to believe all their services are perfect. But learning what patients really think helps you grow. Honest reviews show what you’re doing great, and where things could get better:

• Did someone mention how gentle your assistant is? Celebrate that.
• Did someone complain about long waits or confusing bills? Now you know what to fix.

Try to see reviews as a gift—even the tough ones—which gives you a chance to make things better for everyone.

Helps Staff Care About Patients

Good and bad feedback reminds everyone to focus on what patients need. If your team sees their name in a nice review, it feels good. If there’s a complaint, you know where to help them improve.

Attracts Good Workers and Sets You Apart

Great reviews help you find not just patients, but good workers! People want to work in places where patients are happy. Good reviews show your office is a happy, busy place.

Free Marketing

Let’s be real: Ads cost a ton. Google reviews are free and real, and you can share them on your website or social media. They prove you care about quality—way better than any paid ad.

Easy Steps: How to Handle Google Reviews the Right Way

So reviews matter. What next? Here’s how to handle Google reviews, whether you’re a doctor or office manager:

1. Set Up or Update Your Google My Business Page

If you don’t have a good Google My Business (GMB) page, patients can’t leave reviews or find your info. Fill in your phone, address, hours, and what services you offer.

2. Ask for Reviews the Right Way

Ask happy patients for feedback! After a good visit, tell them you’d love to hear their opinion on Google. Don’t ever pay for reviews or only ask for good ones—this breaks Google’s rules and isn’t honest.

How to Ask

• Put a friendly note on appointment cards, emails, or at the front desk.
• A simple sign at the desk: “Happy with your visit? Please leave us a Google review!”

3. Check Reviews and Always Reply

Write back to both happy and upset reviews. Thank people for weighing in, fix concerns if you can, and ask unhappy patients to call or email you privately. Replying isn’t just nice—it actually helps your rating go up.

4. Keep It Going

Don’t just care about reviews for one month, then stop. Make it part of the routine; have staff check new reviews every week.

5. Protect Patient Privacy

Never talk about someone’s health online. Make your replies general: “Thanks for your feedback” or “We want to give great care and like your thoughts.”

6. Look Out for Strange Reviews

If you suddenly get a lot of bad reviews out of nowhere, or things don’t seem right, tell Google—or get a good company to help you fix your online reputation.

Who Gets the Most from Reviews—and Who Should Be Careful?

Is My Office Right for Google Reviews?

Just about every doctor and dentist who sees patients can benefit, but you get the most if:

• You’re on your own or have a small team, and want to find more patients.
• You’re in a busy area with lots of clinics or offices close by.
• You give personal service and want others to see those “going the extra mile” moments.
• You want to use modern marketing without spending a lot.

Risks and When to Be Careful

• If you don’t see many new patients or only take referrals, reviews matter less (but still help).
• Bad reviews, if you ignore them, can turn off up to 94% of new patients. So it’s important to handle them.

Still stressed? Even bad reviews can be a chance to show you care—if you answer in the right way.

Your Simple Takeaway: Building Trust Online

Here’s what to remember about Google reviews if you’re a doctor, dentist—or just looking for one:

Key Points:

• Google reviews are what most patients see first. You can’t ignore them anymore.
• Trust, reputation, and being found online all depend on reviews. They help you get found and bring in new patients.
• More reviews and better ratings mean more patients. Even a little improvement can mean more money.
• Reviews help you get better on the inside. Listening to honest feedback lets you fix problems or celebrate wins.
• Handling reviews is free, easy, and it works. It’s one of the best things you can do for your office.

Try this today:

• If you’re a doctor or dentist, claim your Google My Business page and keep it up to date.
• Ask every happy patient for a short review.
• Read every review, reply nicely, and use what you learn to improve.
• Remember: Trust doesn’t happen right away. It’s built by doing the right thing, over and over—both online and in your office.

And if you’re a patient? Keep sharing what happened to you—good or bad! You help others find care, and you help doctors and dentists do better.

Real-World Examples and Resources

Imagine this: Dr. Chen opens a new dental office in a busy neighborhood, with lots of other dentists around. At first, not many patients come. After a year of asking patients for real feedback and replying to every review, her Google page is filled with 57 positive comments. Her schedule is busy. New patients say, “I came because the reviews said your office is kind.” The lesson? Real, steady reviews help grow your business.

If you want your dental office to be even better, think about using the latest digital tools. For example, a digital dental lab can help you make crowns, bridges, or repairs more accurately, which gets you even better reviews.

If you’re going to offer special treatments like smile makeovers, working with a good veneers lab gives your patients the best-looking results—and that usually means more good reviews in the future.

FAQs About Google Reviews for Doctors & Dentists

Q: Can I ask patients for reviews straight up?

A: Yes! Asking is good, as long as you don’t offer money or gifts or make them only say nice things.

Q: What if I get a bad review?

A: Take a breath. Answer kindly, thank the person, try to fix the problem, and ask to talk privately. Never argue or talk about their health online.

Q: Do reviews affect where I show up in Google searches?

A: Yes. Google pushes up offices with more honest, fresh reviews, so you show up higher.

Q: How many reviews do I need?

A: No magic number, but more is always better. Try to get at least 10-20 to start—keeping them steady is more important than just the number.

Sources

• BrightLocal, NRC Health, ReviewTrackers, and other well-known surveys.
• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Harvard Business Review
• PatientPop

The Bottom Line

Building a trusted, patient-focused office today means using the power of Google reviews. They’re not just a job to check off—they’re your reputation, marketing, and a way to make your care better, all at once. So get started—ask, reply, and keep growing. Your future patients—and future self—will be glad you did.