The Dental Marketing Mix

DentalScapes

Specifically for dental GPs, pediatric dentists, and orthodontists, The Dental Marketing Mix delivers in-depth conversations about all things dental marketing — including SEO, online advertising, social media strategy, website design, AI search visibility, and more. You’ll learn how to attract high-quality new patients, improve practice efficiency and culture, and create an above-and-beyond patient experience that drives retention and referrals. Tune in each week for practical, data-driven insights from DentalScapes co-founders Dan Brian and Brian Craig, and a rotating lineup of innovative practice owners, industry leaders, and dental consultants. If you’re committed to building a stronger, more profitable dental practice, The Dental Marketing Mix is essential listening.

  1. 6D AGO

    "Behind the Scenes" - How We Run Our Dental Marketing Audits

    What actually happens before DentalScapes launches ads, adjusts SEO, or recommends a budget? In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan Brian takes listeners behind the scenes of the very first step DentalScapes takes with every potential client: a comprehensive 5-part marketing audit. Before tactics, there’s structure. And most dental practices don’t have a marketing problem — they have a visibility problem, a systems problem, or an alignment problem. In this episode, Dan breaks down the five mission-critical areas DentalScapes evaluates first: • Local search visibility — including search grid analysis and full Google Business Profile audits  • AI visibility — how practices appear in AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other generative search environments  • Paid search economics — realistic CPC, CPL, and CPA expectations for PPC and LSAs  • Technical website infrastructure — crawl analysis, Core Web Vitals, schema markup, and indexation  • Content authority and EEAT — whether service pages demonstrate real expertise and support both traditional and AI-driven discovery This episode reframes marketing as a system — not a collection of disconnected tactics. If you want to understand where your practice is visible, where it’s invisible, and where the biggest growth opportunities exist, this behind-the-scenes breakdown provides the framework. Check out the full show notes and video over here: https://www.dentalscapes.com/behind-the-scenes-how-we-run-our-dental-marketing-audits/ To request a free marketing audit from DentalScapes, visit dentalscapes.com/start.

    8 min
  2. FEB 4

    "Not (Quite) Set It & Forget It" - How to Maximize LSA Performance & Profitability for Dental Practices

    Google Local Services Ads can be one of the most cost-effective ways for dental practices to generate new patient leads — but they’re definitely not a “set it and forget it” ad product. In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan Brian and Brian Craig dig into what actually drives strong LSA performance and ROI for dental practices. They break down the behind-the-scenes management work that Google looks for, from call handling and response time to lead rating, booking feedback, and review signals. You’ll learn: Why LSAs often outperform traditional pay-per-click ads for dentistsHow call handling and responsiveness impact LSA visibilityThe role Google reviews play in lead quality and volumeBest practices for managing and rating LSA leadsWhy marking appointments as booked helps Google send better leads over timeWhat dentists should realistically expect for cost per leadIf you’re running Google LSAs — or considering them — this episode will help you avoid wasted spend and turn LSAs into a reliable, high-ROI new patient channel. Don't miss the full video conversation and show notes: https://www.dentalscapes.com/not-quite-set-it-forget-it-how-to-maximize-lsa-performance-profitability-for-dental-practices/ And, if you’d like help setting up or optimizing your Local Services Ads, schedule a free strategy call with the DentalScapes team at https://dentalscapes.com/start.

    14 min
  3. JAN 21

    "Stop Lighting Your Money on Fire" - Choosing the Right Online Ads for Your Dental Practice

    Are you spending money on dental ads without really knowing what’s working? In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan Brian is joined by DentalScapes co-founder Brian Craig to break down how dentists should think about online advertising in 2026 — and how to avoid lighting your marketing budget on fire. They walk through the three primary advertising channels dental practices use today: Google Local Services Ads (LSAs), traditional Google pay-per-click (PPC), and social media advertising. Dan and Brian explain when each channel makes sense, how much practices should realistically budget, and why choosing the wrong strategy at the wrong time can quickly destroy ROI. The conversation also dives into real-world cost-per-lead benchmarks, why front desk call handling is just as important as ad performance, and how AI-driven ads — including advertising inside tools like ChatGPT — are poised to change dental marketing in the near future. If you’re new to advertising, frustrated with current results, or trying to decide where to allocate your marketing dollars in 2026, this episode offers a clear, practical framework to help you make smarter decisions. Key topics covered: Where dentists should start with online advertisingGoogle Local Services Ads vs traditional Google PPCHow social media ads fit into a dental growth strategyBudget expectations and cost-per-lead benchmarksThe hidden role of front desk conversion in ROIWhat AI advertising means for dental practicesFor full show notes and resources, visit the episode page: https://www.dentalscapes.com/stop-lighting-your-money-on-fire-choosing-the-right-online-ads-for-your-dental-practice/ To get help building a smarter, more efficient dental advertising strategy, schedule a free strategy call at https://DentalScapes.com/start.

    19 min
  4. JAN 13

    "More Reviews, Less Effort" - How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Dental Practice

    Online reviews are no longer optional for dental practices—they’re a critical driver of growth, visibility, and trust in 2026. In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, host Dan Brian is joined by DentalScapes Content Manager Skylar Massengill to break down why Google reviews matter more than ever and, just as importantly, how dental practices can generate more 5-star reviews without feeling awkward or salesy. The episode dives into how reviews influence patient decision-making, local SEO rankings in Google’s map pack, and even visibility in AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Dan and Skylar also share practical, real-world strategies dentists can actually implement, even if marketing isn’t their comfort zone. You’ll learn: Why reviews are a core ranking factor for local search and AI visibilityHow to ask for reviews in a way that feels natural and authenticWhy QR codes and automation dramatically increase review volumeHow hygienists and team-wide incentives can drive better resultsWhy responding to both positive and negative reviews builds trustHow to start small and build review momentum consistently over timeIf you’re an independent dental practice owner competing against larger DSOs—or simply want more patients finding and choosing your practice—this episode provides a clear, actionable roadmap. Don't miss the full show notes and complete video episode: https://www.dentalscapes.com/more-reviews-less-effort-how-to-get-more-google-reviews-for-your-dental-practice/ And if you want help implementing a review strategy that actually works, schedule a free strategy call at dentalscapes.com/start.

    19 min
  5. 12/17/2025

    "Trust Beats Traffic" - 3 Predictions for Dental Marketing in 2026

    Dental marketing is heading into 2026 with major changes already underway. In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, host Dan Brian breaks down three clear predictions that will reshape how dental practices get discovered, how they pay for visibility, and how they turn interest into booked appointments. The episode dives into how AI-driven search is changing local visibility, why traditional SEO alone is no longer enough, and how AIO (AI Optimization) is becoming critical for getting recommended by AI platforms. Dan explains what “confidence signals” really mean in this new landscape, including the growing role of reviews, authority, structured data, and trust signals that AI systems rely on when guiding patient decisions. Dan also explores why AI search is likely to introduce advertising inside AI-generated answers and why this could be the biggest shift in local dental marketing since Google Ads. He explains how trust and credibility may directly impact ad performance and cost, and why practices that invest in authority now will be better positioned when AI-driven ads roll out at scale. Finally, the episode tackles a reality many practices aren’t prepared for: fewer clicks. As AI answers more questions directly, website traffic is shrinking, which makes conversion optimization more important than ever. Dan walks through what high-converting dental marketing looks like in 2026, from faster websites and clearer messaging to better call handling, scheduling, and follow-up. If you want to understand where dental marketing is headed in 2026—and what you should be doing now to stay ahead—this episode lays out a clear, practical roadmap. For more information, don't miss the show notes at https://www.dentalscapes.com/3-predictions-for-dental-marketing-in-2026/

    10 min
  6. 11/25/2025

    "Stop Chasing Hacks" - The Biggest Dental Marketing Takeaways from 2025

    In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, host Dan Brian breaks down the biggest dental marketing takeaways of 2025—and why this year represents one of the most significant shifts we’ve ever seen in how patients find and choose a dentist. Drawing on industry-leading research, including the latest Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Report, Dan explains the new rules shaping visibility, trust, and patient acquisition in 2025. You’ll learn why Google reviews are more influential in SEO and AIO than ever, how Local Services Ads (LSAs) have emerged as the most reliable paid acquisition channel for dental practices, and why PPC is still essential—especially for cosmetic, specialty, and high-value patient demand. Dan also explores the rising influence of AI search platforms (Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and more) and how your website content now acts as training data for AI systems. Plus, he uncovers one of the most overlooked growth levers in dentistry today: lead handling. With practices losing 30–50% of potential new patients at the front desk, Dan explains how optimizing follow-up, phone performance, and chat-to-text can transform your ROI without spending a dollar more on ads. Whether you’re a GP, pediatric dentist, or orthodontist, this is a must-listen episode if you want to future-proof your practice, improve your visibility, and convert more new patients. 🔗 Show Notes: https://www.dentalscapes.com/stop-chasing-hacks-the-biggest-dental-marketing-takeaways-from-2025/  📞 Book a Free Strategy Call: https://DentalScapes.com/start Tune in, take notes, and get ahead of the curve.

    10 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Specifically for dental GPs, pediatric dentists, and orthodontists, The Dental Marketing Mix delivers in-depth conversations about all things dental marketing — including SEO, online advertising, social media strategy, website design, AI search visibility, and more. You’ll learn how to attract high-quality new patients, improve practice efficiency and culture, and create an above-and-beyond patient experience that drives retention and referrals. Tune in each week for practical, data-driven insights from DentalScapes co-founders Dan Brian and Brian Craig, and a rotating lineup of innovative practice owners, industry leaders, and dental consultants. If you’re committed to building a stronger, more profitable dental practice, The Dental Marketing Mix is essential listening.