Social Media Marketing for Dentists: 5 Strategies to Attract New Patients

Written By Nicole Campbell
In today’s digital world, your next patient isn’t just driving by your practice. They’re scrolling through Instagram, searching on Google, or watching videos on TikTok. For orthodontists and dental practices, social media marketing is no longer optional. It’s one of the most effective ways to attract new patients, build trust, and stay competitive in a crowded market.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by what to post or how to stand out, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Here are five proven social media strategies designed specifically for orthodontists and dentists that will help you grow your practice.

1. Optimize Your Profiles for Local SEO

Think of your social media profiles as your digital business card. Patients are searching for “orthodontist near me” or “Invisalign in [your city]” Your profiles can help you show up.

- Keep your practice name, phone number, and address consistent across platforms.
- Add your website and Google Business Profile link to bios.
-Use keywords in your descriptions (ex: “Family orthodontics in Southport, NC specializing in Invisalign and braces”).

2. Share Patient-Centered Content

Social media is about connection. Instead of only posting promotions, focus on content that highlights your patients and your team.

Ideas that work:

  • Before & after transformations (with patient consent)

  • Staff spotlights (“Meet the team Monday”)

  • Fun office moments or behind-the-scenes

  • FAQs about braces, retainers, or Invisalign

This type of content not only builds trust but also shows potential patients what makes your practice unique.

3. Use Video to Build Trust

Video is dominating every platform, from Instagram Reels to TikTok to YouTube Shorts. Patients want to see the human side of your practice.

Examples you can film quickly:

  • 30-second tips (“How to clean your retainer in under a minute”)

  • Day-in-the-life clips from the office

  • Myth-busting (“Do braces really hurt?”)

  • Celebrating patient milestones (brace removal, birthdays, etc.)

Video marketing for orthodontists helps potential patients feel comfortable before they even step into your office.

4. Leverage Paid Ads for Growth

If you want to speed up results, paid social ads are one of the best investments a dental or orthodontic practice can make.

Even with a small budget, platforms like Facebook and Instagram let you target by location, age, and interests, so your ads reach the exact patients you want to attract.

A simple ad offering a free consultation or discounted new patient exam can bring in high-quality leads quickly.

5. Consistency Beats Perfection

The number one mistake practices make? Posting a few times, then going silent. Social media works best when it’s consistent.

-Aim for 2–3 posts per week.
-Batch content in advance to save time.
-Reuse posts across platforms (ex: share the same Reel to Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook).

Consistency matters more than creating “perfect” posts. If your team doesn’t have the bandwidth, outsourcing is often the smartest move.

Final Thoughts

Social media marketing for orthodontists doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By optimizing your profiles, sharing patient-centered content, using video, leveraging ads, and staying consistent, you’ll attract new patients while strengthening relationships with the ones you already have.

At Tide + Tooth Marketing, we help orthodontists and dental practices stop stressing about social media and start seeing results. If you’re ready to take social media off your plate and grow your practice, let’s chat.

info@tideandtooth.com

Nicole Campbell