How to Shape What Patients Say About You—Before They Even Say It

How to Shape What Patients Say About You—Before They Even Say It

If you're preparing to open your own dental practice, here's something to keep top of mind: patients are already talking about you. Even before you’ve opened your doors, the story of your practice starts forming—through word of mouth, online chatter, and subtle cues you may not even realize you’re giving.

So the big question is: What are they saying?

As a startup dentist, you have a rare opportunity. You get to shape that narrative from day one—not with scripts or hype, but with authenticity, clarity, and intention.

Your Dental Startup's Reputation Begins Before Day One
This isn’t about trying to control your patients. It’s about helping them clearly understand what you stand for—your values, your standards, and the kind of care they can expect from you. That kind of clarity builds trust, and trust builds referrals.

In a recent podcast episode from Ideal Practices, we explored strategies that every startup owner should be thinking about long before the first appointment is ever scheduled.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

How to earn referrals through relationships, not gimmicks

Why your story matters—and how to communicate it in ways that reflect your ethics and expertise

What to include in your new patient packet to help guide the first impression

The right time to connect personally with patients to build lasting rapport

How to encourage patients to share your story the way you want it told

This isn’t theoretical. These are real strategies from real dentists who’ve built practices where patients not only stay—but rave about the experience to their friends and family.

You Can Influence the Conversation—Authentically
When you build a practice rooted in your story and values, you create alignment. Patients feel it. Your team lives it. And it naturally spills into every interaction, review, and referral.

So instead of wondering what people are saying about you, you can be confident that they’re repeating a story you actually want told.

Ready to Build a Reputation That Reflects You?
At Ideal Practices, we’ve helped more than 900 dentists launch practices that reflect who they truly are—and what they want to be known for. Your story is a key part of that. Want help telling it the right way?

Here’s how to go deeper:

Get the full Startup Practice Blueprint to learn the proven steps for a successful launch

Book a Practice Consultation Call to map your story into your systems and patient experience

Connect with like-minded dentists in the Ideal Practices Facebook community

Your reputation starts today—not someday. Let’s build one worth sharing.

– Stephen Trutter