How Much Should a Dentist Spend on Marketing?
Introduction

Dental practices often ask, “how much should a dentist spend on marketing?” Knowing the right answer is key to growing your practice and reaching new patients. Setting your marketing budget can feel challenging with so many options and factors involved. This episode explains where to start, what to consider, and how to invest your marketing dollars wisely for the best results. Learn more in our post: how much should a dentist spend on marketing.

What You’ll Learn

• What factors influence how much a dentist should spend on marketing


• How to calculate a marketing budget for a dental practice


• Marketing strategies that deliver value for your investment


• Steps to adjust marketing spend as your practice grows

Key Segments

• Start with Practice Goals and Growth Stage

When deciding how much a dentist should spend on marketing, first think about your practice's goals and stage. New practices often need to invest more to build brand awareness and bring in patients. Growing or established clinics might need less, with occasional increases for special promotions or new services.

• Base Budget on Revenue and Local Competition

Many experts suggest that new practices invest between 20% and 30% of their expected gross revenue on marketing, especially if competition is high. Established dental offices may find that 5% to 10% of revenue is enough for steady growth. Your location’s competitiveness and growth targets play a large role in your decision.

• Break Down Spending by Channel

Your budget should cover key strategies like website development, local SEO, paid advertising, and social media. Direct mail campaigns and promotional discounts can also attract new patients. Plan spending to reach the most people and support your biggest goals.

• Track Results and Adapt

Use simple tools to track where new patients come from and which marketing efforts work best. Adjust your budget based on what delivers the highest return. Regular review helps you get more value from every marketing dollar.

• Ongoing Investments Make a Difference

Marketing is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. To keep up with local competition and changing patient needs, refresh your marketing regularly and set aside a steady portion of revenue each year.

Conclusion

Deciding how much a dentist should spend on marketing depends on your goals, market, and stage of growth. By planning around your revenue, tracking results, and investing in proven strategies, you can reach more patients while spending wisely. A well-thought-out budget gives your practice the best chance for steady growth.