Research shows that people spend an average of 2 1/2 hours on social media platforms each day.

There’s a change happening in the dental industry that has nothing to do with health care. It has to do with how we as dentists attract new patients to our practices. In the past, referrals were by far the best way to grow your patient pool, but these days, prospective patients are checking practices out online and on social media before making a decision.

It takes courage and humility to pivot and change the way you look at things, but the evidence is overwhelming and the truth is that the future of dental marketing has already arrived. It’s clear that social media isn’t going anywhere, and Instagram is getting more popular by the day. As dentists, we need to seize this amazing opportunity to insert ourselves into the conversation and connect with people in an authentic and memorable way. It’s essential that dentists remain relevant during this tidal wave of change; they need to learn to embrace marketing, branding, and most importantly, storytelling. Dentists must be able to connect with people in their community on an emotional level outside the walls of the practice. The best way to do this is to use consistent and intentional branding to tell their story so people can get to know, like, and trust them.

Like everything else in life, we have a choice when it comes to all that we do. If you’re still sending out mailers to people who are looking for free cleanings and x-rays, and that’s attracting your ideal patients, then keep doing it. Marketing is not a one-size-fits-all game. But if you want to attract patients who truly value you because they love who you are, the comfort your practice provides, your amazing team, and of course your awesome services, then there’s no better way to showcase it than on Instagram!