When a prospective patient searches for orthodontic care, the first thing they often notice is your star rating and your most recent reviews. Google reviews for orthodontists serve not just as social proof of treatment expertise but also as a powerful tool to build trust with your patients and significantly improve your practice’s visibility.
AI programs and apps such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are heavily influenced by review totals. For prospective patients searching for orthodontists through an AI tool instead of Google, early research indicates the businesses with the most reviews will typically show up first.
Pro Tip: Google reviews are a ranking signal. Patients trust reviews, and Google also awards more trust to practices that have consistent, positive reviews.
Now, you can put AI tools like ChatGPT in that same group! When it comes to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), your online reviews will play an outsized role in whether AI programs view your practice favorably.
A steady review profile signals reliability to people, search engines, and AI algorithms. That authority often translates to more new patient calls and bookings. With the right approach, you can take control of your online presence and dramatically increase your online visibility.
How Does Google Reviews Work with Orthodontic SEO and Local Rankings?
Think of reviews as search signals. A steady flow of high-quality reviews will help your local ranking by showing Google your practice is active and relevant. Google evaluates a few key things:
- Quantity (how many reviews you have)
- Recency (how fresh they are)
- Content (whether reviews mention services, products, locations, etc.)
Google reviews are the most impactful when they include relevant keywords and search terms. If your reviews include natural mentions of the services you offer, they help build authority and make it more likely AI and voice assistants will surface your practice. If you have a strong review profile, potential patients asking their voice assistant for an orthodontist in their area are likely to be directed to your practice.
Simple Strategies to Get More Patient Reviews
You don’t need complicated campaigns, just smart timing and simple tools:
Small, consistent asks (not mass blasts) keep your flow steady and avoid triggering review filters, which are algorithms that detect and filter out suspicious or unnatural review patterns.
Pro Tip: Never run a contest for reviews. If you get too many reviews too quickly, it can trigger the frequency algorithm that Google uses to monitor suspicious activity. Google will filter out or remove your reviews, and in extreme cases, may penalize your ranking and visibility.
| What To Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Ask after a great visit | The moment matters. This is especially true after a milestone appointment, such as when a patient gets their braces off. |
| Make it easy | Provide a direct review link, equip your team with Google review cards (NFC chips), QR codes at the front desk, and text or email reminders through your practice management system. |
| Train your team | Teach staff to ask conversationally. A quick, sincere request for feedback on their experience is far more effective than a scripted demand. |
Responding to Patient Reviews to Build Trust
Replying takes minutes but pays off: it shows patients you listen and gives Google signals of engagement. Keep responses:
- Grateful and authentic: Thank them and mention a brief detail, such as, “We’re so glad you had a great experience with our team.”
- Concise: Short replies are more readable.
- HIPAA-compliant: Never confirm the reviewer’s medical details or discuss protected health information publicly.
A professional reply can reassure future patients and improve your local standing.
How Can I Handle A Negative Review?
Negative feedback is uncomfortable, but it’s not the end of the world. If you are in business long enough, a negative review is inevitable. Follow a calm, clear process:
- Remain professional. Don’t respond defensively or argue with the reviewer.
- Flag it. If the review is fake, spam, or harassment, report it to Google.
- Respond with empathy. Acknowledge their concerns and avoid excuses.
- Take it offline. Invite a private conversation to resolve the issue if needed.
Handling a negative review positively and professionally demonstrates that you are attentive and care about patient outcomes.
Pro Tip: Don’t pay for “Review Removal” schemes. The only person who can edit or remove a review is the person who wrote it. Companies offering to remove negative reviews are usually spamming the platform with flags and reports, with limited success. There is no magic wand to delete negative reviews.
Smartly Use Your Reviews Everywhere
Reviews shouldn’t live only on Google. Repurpose them to build trust across channels:
- Feature standout quotes on your homepage and service pages on your website.
- Share short testimonials on social and in email campaigns.
- Use review snippets in ads and patient materials.
This multiplies the impact of each review and keeps your messaging consistent!
Ready to Turn Reviews into Real Patient Growth?
Great reviews don’t happen by accident, and they’re part of an effective, repeatable marketing system: excellent care, timely requests, thoughtful replies, and smart amplification. From knowing the perfect time to ask for a review to using patient feedback to improve your online presence, these strategies work together to build your authority and get more orthodontic patients from the Internet.
Ready to build a reputation that truly reflects the quality of your care? At Kaleidoscope, we can help you manage your online presence and turn your reviews into your most effective marketing tool. Let’s talk and schedule a free consultation for a better understanding of Google reviews.