The Dental Marketing Mix

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.

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 dentists
How call handling and responsiveness impact LSA visibility
The role Google reviews play in lead quality and volume
Best practices for managing and rating LSA leads
Why marking appointments as booked helps Google send better leads over time
What dentists should realistically expect for cost per lead
If 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.

What happens to dental marketing when ads don’t just sit next to search results, but start appearing inside the answers themselves?
In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan Brian goes deeper into what’s actually been announced and tested around ads in AI-powered search. No speculation. No hype. Just what Google and OpenAI have publicly confirmed — and what it means for dental practices.
You’ll learn how Google’s AI Overviews are changing where ads appear, what OpenAI has said about ads inside ChatGPT, and why visibility in the AI era is no longer just about ranking number one in search results.
This episode builds on last week’s conversation about evolving online advertising in dentistry and explains why fundamentals like local SEO, reviews, content clarity, and brand signals matter more than ever as AI systems shape patient decisions.
If you want to understand how your practice shows up in AI-driven search — and what you should focus on next — this episode is a must-listen.
Check out the show notes and video episode over here: https://www.dentalscapes.com/ads-in-the-answers-what-google-ai-overview-chatgpt-ads-mean-for-dentists/ — and request a free AI visibility audit from DentalScapes to see how your practice stacks up in AI search: https://dentalscapes.com/start

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 advertising
Google Local Services Ads vs traditional Google PPC
How social media ads fit into a dental growth strategy
Budget expectations and cost-per-lead benchmarks
The hidden role of front desk conversion in ROI
What AI advertising means for dental practices
For 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.

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 visibility
How to ask for reviews in a way that feels natural and authentic
Why QR codes and automation dramatically increase review volume
How hygienists and team-wide incentives can drive better results
Why responding to both positive and negative reviews builds trust
How to start small and build review momentum consistently over time
If 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.