WEB DESIGN · · 6 min read
What a dental practice website needs to fill the appointment book
Patients compare practices on Google before they book. The features, pages and rules that turn a dental website into a steady source of new patients.
Rhys Telfer · Founder & Creative Director
Your website is the new front desk
For most people choosing a dentist, the process starts on Google. They compare a few practices in the map results, click through to a couple of websites, and book with the one that feels most trustworthy and easiest. Your website has a few seconds to make that call.
Here's what separates the dental websites that fill appointment books from the ones that just exist.
Make booking effortless
- Put a "Book online" button in the header on every page, visible on mobile
- Connect online booking to your practice management software where possible
- Show your phone number as a tap-to-call link
- Display your opening hours clearly, including late nights and Saturdays if you offer them
If booking takes more than a couple of taps, people will try the next practice instead.
Build trust quickly
Dental anxiety is real, and new patients want reassurance before they book:
- Introduce your dentists with real photos and short, friendly bios
- Show the inside of your practice so people know what to expect
- Explain what happens at a first appointment
- Be upfront about fees, health fund rebates, HICAPS and payment plans
One page per service
Create a dedicated page for each core service, such as check-ups and cleans, children's dentistry, implants, clear aligners, whitening and emergency dentistry. Each page should explain the treatment in plain language, who it's for, what to expect, and how to book.
This helps patients find what they need, and it gives Google a specific page to rank for each search.
Win the local search
Patients search close to home. Mention your suburb and the surrounding areas you serve naturally on your pages, add a map and parking information to your contact page, and keep your Google Business Profile complete and active with fresh photos and replies to reviews.
Follow the advertising rules
Dental practices are regulated health services, so your website needs to follow Ahpra's guidelines for advertising. They affect how you use testimonials, before and after photos and claims about results. Check the current guidelines before you publish, and avoid anything that could create unreasonable expectations.
Speed and accessibility
Most patients will visit on their phone, and some will have accessibility needs. Make sure your site loads fast, text is easy to read, buttons are big enough to tap, and forms work with screen readers.
A quick checklist
- Book online button visible on every page
- Tap-to-call phone number
- Clear hours, location and parking information
- Team photos and bios
- Dedicated service pages
- Fees, rebates and payment options explained
- Emergency dental information
- Fast, mobile friendly and accessible
- Follows Ahpra's advertising guidelines
Running a dental practice in Melbourne? We design websites that make booking easy and help you show up in local search. Book a call and we'll show you what we'd change on yours.
Book a 20 minute call
WRITTEN BY
Rhys Telfer · Founder & Creative Director
Founded Sault Digital in 2018 after years on the client side. Leads strategy and creative on every project.