If you’ve been hearing the buzz about AI and thinking it might help your dental practice, you’re right!
I won’t overwhelm you with tech talk, but I will dive into some practical, hands-on ways to use AI tools for patient targeting, personalized content, and even analyzing phone calls. Let’s unpack the good stuff, from creating patient avatars to getting a grip on chatbots that make patient service a breeze.
CREATING YOUR IDEAL PATIENT AVATAR (NO CRYSTAL BALL NEEDED)
Ever wish you could know exactly who your perfect patient is? AI is like a cheat sheet for understanding your best-fit patients. You can start by uploading an anonymized patient list (no names or sensitive info), and AI will pick out patterns like age, income, and spending habits. This data turns into a “patient avatar” that tells you more than just demographics—it gives you a full picture of who this person is.
Prompt: “Based on this data, create a patient avatar. Detail how they self-identify their need for a dentist, their pain points, objections to treatment, and decision-making criteria.”
Think of this avatar as a character sketch for your ideal patient. Maybe it’s a working mom who needs flexible scheduling, or perhaps it’s a retired couple looking for convenience and affordability. You can use this avatar to tweak your dental website, social posts, and even the way you answer the phone to speak directly to their needs.
Pro Tip: Use your avatar to run a check on your website. Drop the URL into ChatGPT, and ask it to see if the site speaks to your target patient’s needs. If it doesn’t, AI can give you suggestions on how to adjust it for maximum appeal.
Prompt: “Evaluate how well my website attracts this specific avatar. What changes can improve conversion rates?”
CREATING CONTENT THAT CONNECTS WITH PATIENTS (WITHOUT WRITING A NOVEL)
Drumming up good ideas for your social media can be time-consuming, but AI takes the guesswork out of it. For example, if you want to attract more patients for specific treatments (like implants), AI can whip up a social media calendar. You’ll get a 30-day dental social media strategy with everything—post ideas, hashtags, and even visual suggestions.
Prompt: “Create a 30-day social media content calendar to address pain points, objections, and decision-making criteria for this avatar. Specify objectives, platforms, media types, and posting schedules.”
In one test, AI created a mix of educational posts, patient testimonials, and simple reminders about the benefits of implants. AI suggested specific post types, like short videos or before-and-after images, to keep things fresh and engaging for your audience. The best part? You’re not staring at a blank screen trying to come up with ideas.
Pro Tip: After AI gives you a social media plan, double-check to make sure it feels natural. AI-generated content can look a bit too polished or stiff, so adjust as needed to keep it real and relatable.
SPEEDY RESPONSES WITH AI CHATBOTS (BECAUSE NOBODY LIKES TO WAIT)
Here’s a little-known fact: speed is just as important as cost to patients when choosing a provider. If your front desk team is constantly juggling calls, check-ins, and paperwork, AI chatbots are a lifesaver. Trained to answer common questions, book appointments, and provide info on your services, a chatbot keeps things moving smoothly. Patients get answers fast, and your team gets to focus on the patients in front of them.
Prompt: “Train an AI chatbot to answer common patient questions based on website content, FAQs, and uploaded reference materials.”
Studies show that 85% of people are more loyal to brands that respond quickly. With an AI chatbot, you’re not losing potential patients because no one was available to respond right away. It’s like having an extra team member who works 24/7 and never takes a coffee break.
UPPING YOUR ADS GAME WITH AI-GENERATED CONTENT
If you’ve dipped your toes into Google or social media ads, you know it can be tricky to find the right words. AI can help generate digital ad copy tailored to your audience. You can test out different versions, ask AI for alternative headlines, and even get tips on which keywords to target.
For example, if you’re targeting middle-aged patients for dental implants, you can use AI to create ads that emphasize convenience, flexible financing, and positive patient experiences. AI will suggest variations in ad copy and offer detailed reasoning on why certain phrases work better. It’s like having a seasoned marketing pro guiding you step-by-step.
Prompt: “Review this ad copy and recommend changes to improve its effectiveness. Suggest variations and explain why they are better.”
PROTECTING PATIENT DATA (BECAUSE PRIVACY MATTERS)
Here’s where it’s important to tread carefully: while AI tools can analyze tons of patient data, privacy is key. Make sure any data you upload is stripped of personally identifiable information to stay HIPAA-compliant. AI platforms often assure data privacy, but it’s best to anonymize everything just to be safe.
Stick to anonymized information like demographics, treatment types, or zip codes. This way, you’re still getting valuable insights without compromising any patient details. AI will give you plenty of information on patient preferences and behaviors without needing any private data.
MAXIMIZING AI RESULTS WITH FEEDBACK
One thing we learned in testing AI is that it “learns” from your feedback. Think of AI as an eager but slightly clueless assistant who needs a little hand-holding. Don’t just accept the first response you get—ask follow-up questions or even rephrase your prompt if needed. The more feedback you give, the better AI gets at delivering exactly what you want.
Here’s a fun tip: if ChatGPT or any AI tool is giving you subpar responses, give it a “thumbs down” or just tell it you’re not happy with the results. You’ll be directed to a feedback panel to share if you think the response was inappropriate, lost direction, or even lazy. This nudges AI to improve, almost like training a new hire.
USING AI TO TRACK CALLS AND SPOT PATTERNS
Did you know AI can listen to your practice’s calls and provide detailed insights? With real-time call tracking, AI analyzes conversations to show you patterns in patient inquiries, objections, and scheduling preferences. This feature can even highlight reasons for missed appointments—whether it’s an insurance issue, time conflict, or another common obstacle.
These insights let you refine your responses, adjust marketing language, and address common questions proactively. Instead of relying on a manual review, AI saves you time by summarizing what matters most.
SCORING BETTER DEALS ON AI TOOLS
The world of AI tools is exploding, and prices vary a lot. If you’re trying out a subscription and in the “freemium period,” try canceling your free trial. Many platforms will offer you a discount after a few cancellation attempts. With all the competition for AI products, these services often offer sweet deals to keep your business. You might see prices drop by as much as 75%.
WRAPPING UP: WHY AI MATTERS FOR YOUR PRACTICE
AI is changing the way we approach marketing in dentistry. From creating patient avatars to managing social media, AI takes the heavy lifting off your plate. But it’s not just about automation; it’s about making smarter, data-driven choices that resonate with patients.
Want to get started? Test out some free AI tools, experiment with patient avatars, or try generating content. With just a few tweaks, you’ll find AI can add a lot of value to your dental marketing without overwhelming you or your team. Here’s to smarter marketing and happier patients!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Xaña Winans is the CEO and founder of Golden Proportions Marketing, dedicated to the growth of dental practices. Her agency provides goal-driven, full-service solutions, including branding, website design, advertising, and digital marketing. Visit goldenproportions.com to learn more.
Xaña is a board member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants and has been awarded a Fellowship in the International Academy of Dental Facial Aesthetics. She lectures and publishes regularly about dental marketing.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Anggalih Prasetya/Shutterstock.com.
