The Dental Marketing Mix

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/

Blog posts aren’t dead—far from it. In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan Brian sits down with DentalScapes Content Marketing Manager, Skylar Massengill, to break down why blogging is still one of the most underrated growth channels for dental practices as we shift into 2026.The conversation digs into how patients actually search today, how AI platforms surface dental content, why long-form answers drive trust, and how practices can repurpose a single blog post into weeks of social, email, and video content. Skylar shares her behind-the-scenes workflow for crafting personalized, patient-friendly posts—and how to use blog content as a silent sales tool for big-ticket cases like implants, aligners, and cosmetic dentistry.If you’ve been overlooking your blog or treating it like a checkbox item, this episode will change the way you think about content forever.For show notes and links, visit https://www.dentalscapes.com/not-dead-yet-why-blogs-still-matter-in-dental-marketing-in-2026/To schedule a free strategy call, go to DentalScapes.com/start

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/startTune in, take notes, and get ahead of the curve.

🚀 The 2025 Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Report is here — and Dan & Brian break down exactly what it means for dental practices.In this episode of The Dental Marketing Mix, Dan and Brian unpack the newest data shaping how dental practices show up in Google’s Map Pack, AI search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, and everywhere patients are searching online.You’ll learn why reviews hit their highest influence ever, why the Google Business Profile (GBP) remains the foundation of visibility, how AI platforms interpret review content, and why traffic from LLMs may already be more high-intent than traditional Google users.If you’re a dentist looking to grow new patient volume, rank higher locally, and stay ahead of massive shifts in AI-driven search, this episode gives you a clear roadmap.🔍 What Dan & Brian discuss:• The most important ranking factors in the 2025 Whitespark report• Why reviews jumped to ~24% influence — the highest ever• How Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI engines read review context• The role of behavioral signals like calls, clicks, and direction requests• Why high-intent AI traffic is already shaping dental growth• What’s changed from last year — and what hasn’t• The single biggest action every practice can take todayCheck out the full show notes at: https://www.dentalscapes.com/the-key-local-search-factors-driving-dental-visibility-in-2025-2026/ 📈 Want a complimentary AI + Google visibility audit?Get a full breakdown of your practice’s rankings across Google search, Google Maps, and major AI platforms:👉 https://DentalScapes.com/startIf you found this helpful, subscribe for weekly insights on dental marketing, online visibility, AI search, and practice growth!#DentalMarketing #LocalSEO #Whitespark #AIO #GoogleBusinessProfile #DentalScapes #TheDentalMarketingMix #DanBrian #DentalSEO #AIOverviews #ChatGPTSearch #GeminiAI #DentistMarketing #GrowYourPractice

In this episode of The Dental Domination Podcast, host Dan Brian breaks down one of the most overlooked growth levers in modern dental marketing — your Google reviews. As Google’s AI Overviews and AIO (Artificial Intelligence Optimization) continue to transform how patients discover and choose their dentist, reviews now play a pivotal role in shaping what AI says about your practice.Dan explains how Google’s E-E-A-T framework — Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness — has evolved from an SEO guideline into a defining signal for AI-driven visibility. Learn why consistent, authentic, and descriptive reviews don’t just influence star ratings—they actually teach Google’s AI how to describe your brand, your team, and your patient experience.You’ll also hear actionable strategies to:Automate and systematize review requests through patient communication platforms like Weave, Practice By Numbers, and DentalScapes’ DentOwl™Respond to every review to strengthen E-E-A-T and public trustUse structured data (schema markup) to connect review content with your websiteMaintain review velocity for ongoing visibility in AI-driven searchBuild a cross-platform reputation that reinforces credibility across Google, Healthgrades, Facebook, and YelpDan shares real-world data from DentalScapes clients showing how a steady stream of quality reviews can dramatically improve organic visibility, click-through rates, and conversions.If you’ve been investing in ads and social media but haven’t optimized your review strategy, this episode is your wake-up call. In the age of AIO, your reputation doesn’t just live on Google—it lives inside Google’s AI.🎧 Tune in to discover how to turn reviews into real growth—and what steps to take this week to future-proof your dental marketing strategy.Check out the full show notes: https://www.dentalscapes.com/e-e-a-t-meets-aio-how-reviews-are-rewriting-dental-search-visibility/👉 Learn more and schedule a free AI visibility audit at DentalScapes.com/AIO