Why Every Dental Practice Needs AI Marketing in 2026

ChatGPT accounts for 80% of AI-related search trafficThis link opens a new tab to Search Engine Journal. So people are using AI to choose their dentist. If you’re not showing up in AI searches, you’re invisible. In fact, if you’re not using AI in your dental marketing strategy right now, your practice could be left behind

Why AI is shifting the dental search landscape

AI is everywhere—ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, Gemini, you name it. It’s completely shifted how people are choosing their dentists.
I’ll show you exactly how patients use AI to find dental practices, and how you can make sure AI pulls your practice up when someone says, “I’m looking for a dentist in Seattle. What are the top ones?”
I’m Kelsey with Marketly DigitalThis link leads to Home page. We’ve helped over 2,500 dental practices grow—especially those with multiple locations and big growth goals.
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s fundamentally changing how patients find, trust, and choose their next dentist.
If you want to stay ahead, you need to understand how AI search and local search work together—and why your social content plays a bigger role than ever.

How AI is like a super-powered referral system

Think of AI like a super-powered patient referral system. It scans everything—your website, your social posts, even your YouTube videos—and picks the most trusted answers to show patients instantly.

AI search: how patients use it to find your practice

When patients use AI tools—like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, or voice assistants—they’re asking super-specific questions, like:

• “How much does a dental implant cost?”
• “Can you give me suggestions for the best dentist in Seattle?”
• “My tooth hurts and ibuprofen isn’t working. Do you have suggestions to fix my toothache?”

How AI pulls answers from everywhere

AI pulls answers from everywhere online and displays those answers right away. People might not even visit your website, but your content is still powering those AI answers. You’re helping patients get what they need instantly, and AI search engines reward you for it.
Case in point: One of our clients got a new patient simply because the patient asked ChatGPT, “Who’s the best dentist in Simpsonville?”

How to make sure AI picks your practice first

Optimize social media and video for AI

Social media and video are now the strongest AI signals. AI platforms are reading and ranking your LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram content—even transcribing your videos. Consistent, relevant posting is your new secret weapon.

Create relevant content that AI loves

If you’re regularly posting short videos, answering FAQs, and sharing real patient experiences, you’re feeding the AI exactly what it wants. We’ve seen practices show up in Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT answers simply because they’re posting relevant content everywhere on social media.

Why community-focused content wins in AI search

The more consistent and community-focused your posts, the more AI connects you with the exact patients searching for your expertise—sometimes even before they visit your website.

Local SEO and AI: how they work together

Another factor to consider is local SEO. While people aren’t clicking into websites as much, it’s still absolutely critical—especially for searches like “dentist near me” or “emergency dentist in [your town]”. Those classic ranking factors—your Google Business Profile, reviews, and local citations—still matter a ton.

How AI is layering on top of local search

Here’s what’s changed: AI is layering on top of local search. When people ask local-specific questions, AI pulls from whatever content best answers them—including your videos and social posts.
Google, ChatGPT, and other AIs are reading your LinkedIn posts, YouTube videos, and Meta content—and they’re heavily weighting that in their results.

Boosting your digital authority with localized content

If your practice is consistently answering local patients’ questions across platforms, you’re building authority not just for your website, but for your whole digital presence. That means more visibility in both AI answers and classic local search.

Tailor your content for multiple locations

If you have multiple dental offices, be sure to tailor your content to each community to win in local AI search. The more localized and personalized your content is, AI will reward you.
We’ve seen this firsthand with our own clients. They’re popping up in AI-driven searches for high-demand services like cosmetic dentistry and dental implants because they’re posting consistently online. They’re building their digital footprint.

Ready to unlock the power of AI for your dental practice?

AI can help you dominate your local market

Click here to book a free strategy sessionThis link opens a new tab to the registration form with Marketly Digital. We’ll help you build a customized marketing plan that leverages AI to get real results. Let’s make this your best year yet and turn your practice into a local powerhouse.