Dental Marketing: Budget Strategies for Practice Growth

In a recent article published on Dentistry Today, marketing expert Jackie Ulasewich-Cullen offers insights into effective marketing strategies for dental practices, highlighting the critical balance between budget allocation and patient relationship building.

Marketing Budget Guidelines

The article, drawing on U.S. Small Business Administration recommendations, suggests that dental practices should allocate between 4-7% of their annual revenue to marketing efforts. For a practice generating $1 million annually, this translates to a marketing investment of $40,000-$70,000. The precise percentage depends on several factors, including:

• Practice growth objectives
• Local market competitiveness
• Practice establishment status

The Power of Patient Referrals

A key focus of the article is the untapped potential of existing patient networks. Ulasewich-Cullen emphasizes that current patients are invaluable assets, noting that “Satisfied patients are natural champions for your practice, spreading the word to friends and family.”

The strategy hinges on two primary principles:

• Building trust through exceptional patient experiences
• Creating opportunities for organic promotion

Strengthening Patient Relationships

The article outlines strategic approaches to patient engagement:

• Delivering memorable experiences
• Maintaining consistent communication
• Soliciting and valuing patient feedback

Strategic Marketing Considerations

Practices are encouraged to critically evaluate their marketing approach by asking fundamental questions:

• Are current investments sufficient to meet growth goals?
• Are existing patients being leveraged for referrals?
• Are marketing results being tracked and analyzed?

Author Background

Jackie Ulasewich-Cullen, founder of My Dental Agency, brings over a decade of experience in dental laboratory marketing and brand development. Her agency has assisted numerous practices nationwide in refining their marketing strategies.

Professionals interested in learning more can contact Ulasewich-Cullen at (800) 689-6434 or jackie@mydentalagency.com.