Dental Practice Trends to Look For in 2023

Like every other industry, we see new trends emerge in the oral care industry. Whether it’s shifting patient expectations or the evolution of technology, keeping on top of these trends can help you grow your practice and maintain relevance in 2023.

So without further ado, let’s discuss the top dental practice trends that you should look out for this new year.

1. Influencer marketing

We live in the era of social media, and influencer marketing has become an effective tool in helping brands generate more brand interest. People gravitate towards businesses they know they can trust, and what better way to obtain patient trust than collaborating with a renowned figure in the social media space?

Dental practices can leverage influencer marketing to attract new patients by working with an influencer that reflects their values and core principles. Projections for influencer marketing spending will grow to 23.4% in 2023, indicating that brands are seeing great results with the marketing tactic.

Hopping onto this trend requires careful planning and consideration. Thankfully, you can utilize our guide on how dental practices can collaborate with influencers to maximize results.

2. Short-form content

It’s no secret that the average person’s attention span has decreased over the past few years. Some attribute this to technology while others believe it’s due to societal pressure. Either way, short-form content is making an immediate impact on how people digest information online.

TikTok Shorts, YouTube Stories, and Instagram Reels are prime examples of short-form content that people love to engage with. As dental practices follow this trend, it’s important to deliver immediate value with your content to generate interest and attract more patients.

For example, dentists can create short-form videos on restoration procedures and show the before/after results. Such videos generate web traffic and draw people’s attention to your dental services.

3. Mobile-friendly website

In a digital world where people use search engines to find meaningful solutions, dental practices must have a fully functional website to boost credibility and maintain visibility online. But having a website is not enough, as it must be optimized to ensure a positive browsing experience when users land on your page.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a key component of any website, as it makes your business more discoverable to people interested in your services. Most notably, search engines are now favoring mobile-first indexing as people primarily use their smartphones to find what they’re looking for.

Stay up-to-date on the latest SEO trends, as search engine’s constantly update their algorithms to provide a positive experience for online users.

4. Social proof

One of the best ways to build credibility in the oral care industry is to obtain patient reviews and testimonials. These serve as social proof that reinforces your practice’s capability to provide excellent dental care. As more and more patients are satisfied with your services, you’ll be able to land referrals and improve your customer retention rate.

Many dental practices display testimonials and reviews on their websites to gain consumer trust, and this is a worthy trend to follow, especially for small businesses looking to establish their position within the industry. Add reviews to the bottom of your pages, and see how impactful they can be in gaining the trust of your target audience.

Additionally, more dental practices will focus on creating websites that are user-friendly and easy to navigate. In addition, websites will be designed to be responsive so that they can be accessed on any device.  

5. Teledentistry

The global pandemic has reshaped how patients consult from dental practices, thus spotlighting teledentistry. Teledentistry makes it possible for patients to receive oral care advice and become more aware of their current oral health. Through live consultations and pre-recorded videos, dentists can give patients better access to dental care and alleviate dental anxiety.

Dental practices can leverage teledentistry to their advantage by encouraging patients to schedule in-office visits after a consultation. By addressing the concerns of each patient remotely, they are more likely to follow up with an office visit and get the oral care they need.

6. 3D Printing

As 3D printing continues to advance, dental practices will be able to access equipment at a much lower cost than previously imagined. There are plenty of 3D printing applications in the dental industry, including material innovation and precision-crafted structures. 3D printers can produce intraoral models in just a few minutes, saving dentists valuable time and allowing lab technicians to work on the models immediately.

The speed, cost-efficiency, and accessibility of 3D printers can vastly improve the patient’s experience and elevate your dental practice’s workflow. Billed as the next big thing in the oral healthcare space, investing in a 3D printer is a game-changer for dental practices as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

7. Subscription-based services

One of the main reasons people avoid going to the dentist is the cost. Many patients struggle to find a dental practice that’s covered by their insurance plan, and this barrier can prove detrimental to the growth of your practice. One solution is to provide subscription-based services that cover x-rays, teeth cleanings, and fillings to help lower the barrier for your patients.

Having an in-house dental membership plan is a cost-effective way of making oral care accessible to patients who don’t have the budget for dental services. By offering flexible solutions, you’ll be able to cater to the needs of your patients and foster business loyalty along the way.

8. Sustainable dental products

As more people become enlightened about the status of the global environment, the push for eco-friendly/sustainable products is stronger than ever. Patients want access to natural oral care products like bamboo toothbrushes, biodegradable flosses, and even activated charcoal toothpaste.

Heading into the new year, dentists must keep up with this social change by offering environmentally-friendly products. Younger generations are keen on supporting businesses that align with their values, and if they are your target audience, then carrying sustainable dental products can help with landing new patients (and even referrals).

Conclusion 

As consumer expectations shift and patient needs evolve, it’s up to dental practices to adapt to maintain relevance this 2023. Hopefully, this article gives you in-depth information on the latest industry trends to help grow your dental practice and reach your goals much easier.

Managing the financial health of your business is crucial to its success. If you need any help with expert bookkeeping services, our team is ready to assist you. Simply fill out the form below, and our team will contact you shortly.

Does your dental practice need help with managing its financial records? Don’t worry, our team is here to assist you! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will contact you shortly.