How to Attract Your Ideal Patient and Build a Practice You Actually Love
If you’re building a dental startup—or even thinking about it—the idea of serving “anyone and everyone” can feel like a smart way to fill the schedule. But let me tell you from experience (and a few hard lessons): not all patients are created equal.
Ever had a patient who made you feel trapped… insulted… even personally attacked?
You're not alone. And you're not overreacting.
On a recent Ideal Practices podcast, Jayme shared a story about one such patient—someone who left him drained, disrespected, and questioning how it got to that point. It’s a brutally honest account, and one you’ll probably relate to more than you’d like.
The takeaway? The most powerful thing you can do to protect your practice, your peace of mind, and yes, your profits, is this: attract your Ideal Patient.
Let’s break down how.
Why You Must Attract Your Ideal Patient (and How to Do It)
The truth is, patients are not just looking for a dentist—they’re looking for someone they trust. And trust starts long before that first phone call or exam. It begins with how your practice shows up online, in your community, and in the story your brand tells.
Here’s how to start shifting the narrative and attracting the right patients:
1. Identify Who You Actually Want to Serve
It sounds simple, but most doctors never pause to define this.
Ask yourself:
Who do I enjoy working with?
What kinds of cases light me up?
Which patient types create more friction than value?
The clearer your vision, the more easily you'll spot (and filter) the right fit.
2. Build Trust Before They Walk In the Door
This is where most practices miss the mark. You can create a foundation of trust before a patient ever books. How?
Post patient-focused, one-take videos that show your personality
Share testimonials and case stories that speak to specific concerns
Maintain a weekly blog or email publication that educates and connects
3. Leverage Reviews as a Strategic Asset
Reviews aren’t just about bragging rights—they are conversion tools.
Make it a priority to gather testimonials consistently
Know where they matter most (hint: Google is king, but don’t sleep on your own website)
Use those reviews in your marketing to demonstrate credibility
Jayme’s 3-Step Ideal Patient Attraction Framework
If you want a shortcut to get started, try this:
Step 1: Clarify your patient avatar (demographics, needs, personality traits)
Step 2: Audit your messaging (does your website and online presence speak directly to that person?)
Step 3: Build a system to collect and showcase trust—testimonials, expert content, and local visibility
Final Thoughts from the Startup Trenches
Attracting the right patients doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a strategy. When you implement it intentionally, you’ll stop chasing approval from the wrong people and start building a practice that truly reflects you.
Looking for inspiration? Take a peek at how other dentists are doing it:
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If you’re ready to build the kind of practice that attracts your ideal patient—and repels the wrong ones—Ideal Practices is here to help you every step of the way.
Let’s build something remarkable.
– Stephen Trutter