Patient Reviews and Reputation Management for Orthodontic Practices

There is no fixed threshold, but practices with 50 or more Google reviews consistently generate significantly more organic enquiries than those with fewer than 20. Beyond volume, recency matters — a steady flow of new reviews signals an active, trusted practice to both Google and prospective patients.

The highest-converting approach is a verbal ask at the right moment (brace removal day or after a positive interaction), followed by an automated text or email with a direct review link within 24 hours. Removing friction from the process — providing a direct link rather than asking patients to find the page — significantly increases completion rates.

Respond promptly, calmly, and without disclosing patient details. Acknowledge their experience, apologise for any dissatisfaction, and invite them to contact the practice directly to resolve the issue. Never argue or become defensive in public — it damages your reputation with prospective patients reading the thread.

No. Incentivising reviews violates Google's terms of service and, in a regulated healthcare context, could constitute misleading advertising under the CAP Code and GDC advertising guidance. Ask all patients equally and genuinely — do not filter by expected sentiment.

Google Business Profile is the most important for local search visibility and enquiry volume. Trustpilot adds credibility for higher-value treatments. Doctify is increasingly relevant in UK healthcare. Facebook reviews matter for practices with an active social presence.

Feature top reviews on your website, treatment pages, and email sequences. Share them on social media (with appropriate consent). Include review counts and ratings in paid search ads. Reviews used as marketing content should be genuine and attributed accurately.

There is no fixed threshold, but practices with 50 or more Google reviews consistently generate significantly more organic enquiries than those with fewer than 20. Beyond volume, recency matters — a steady flow of new reviews signals an active, trusted practice to both Google and prospective patients.

The highest-converting approach is a verbal ask at the right moment (brace removal day or after a positive interaction), followed by an automated text or email with a direct review link within 24 hours. Removing friction from the process — providing a direct link rather than asking patients to find the page — significantly increases completion rates.

Respond promptly, calmly, and without disclosing patient details. Acknowledge their experience, apologise for any dissatisfaction, and invite them to contact the practice directly to resolve the issue. Never argue or become defensive in public — it damages your reputation with prospective patients reading the thread.

No. Incentivising reviews violates Google's terms of service and, in a regulated healthcare context, could constitute misleading advertising under the CAP Code and GDC advertising guidance. Ask all patients equally and genuinely — do not filter by expected sentiment.

Google Business Profile is the most important for local search visibility and enquiry volume. Trustpilot adds credibility for higher-value treatments. Doctify is increasingly relevant in UK healthcare. Facebook reviews matter for practices with an active social presence.

Feature top reviews on your website, treatment pages, and email sequences. Share them on social media (with appropriate consent). Include review counts and ratings in paid search ads. Reviews used as marketing content should be genuine and attributed accurately.