E7: Do Facebook Ads REALLY Work For Dentists?

Mark Vurnum

hi everyone and welcome along to todays episode, So, let’s dive into what could be a massive game-changer for your practice—Facebook Ads. You’ve probably heard of them before, maybe even dabbled in boosting posts here and there, but today, I’m talking about something much bigger. I’m talking about using these ads strategically, to actually build reliable, high-value patient pipelines that grow your business.

Mark Vurnum

Now, let me tell you why these ads can be so transformative. It’s not just about popping up on someone’s social feed for visibility. It’s about creating offers that speak directly to patients in your local community. Offers that make them stop scrolling. You know, things like free check-ups for new patients, discounted teeth whitening, or even consultations for high-value treatments like implants.

Mark Vurnum

And here’s the thing—running an ad isn’t enough. You’ve got to know who to target, where to target, and when. Because, honestly, a poorly targeted ad is just throwing money out the window. You need clear objectives. Are you trying to book treatments? Build awareness? Maybe even fill slow days on your calendar? That clarity’s what separates successful campaigns from wasted budgets.

Mark Vurnum

For example, think about this… If you’re a dentist in, let’s say, a busy city like Manchester, running an ad targeted at anyone and everyone isn’t gonna help. But if you narrow it down—maybe to adults within a 10-mile radius who have shown an interest in dental care or cosmetic procedures—you’re reaching the right people. The ones who are actually likely to become your patients.

Mark Vurnum

This is where precision comes into play. By aligning your ads with your practice’s goals, you don’t just see more leads; you see better-quality leads. People who want what you’re offering, not just the curious window shoppers. And the beauty of platforms like Facebook is, it lets you track this—literally, down to how much a single patient costs you to acquire.

Mark Vurnum

Now, let me add some real-world examples to bring this to life. Take a Brighton dental clinic I worked with. They decided to run a highly personalized ad campaign. Instead of using generic offers, they promoted treatments tailored to the needs of their local demographic—things like family dental plans and affordable orthodontic check-ups for teens. And you know what? That approach didn’t just bring in new patients, it kept them coming back for routine care, because those offers created a sense of trust and loyalty.

Mark Vurnum

Then there’s the story of a Manchester clinic. It’s one of my favorite examples, actually. They took a pretty modest budget—£500—crafted a campaign around teeth whitening offers, and targeted a very specific audience. They focused on young professionals in their area who were interested in improving the appearance of their smile. Well, here’s the result: that campaign brought in over £10,000 in revenue. That’s a return on investment that’s, honestly, hard to argue with.

Mark Vurnum

What these two clinics nailed, and what I talk about in nearly every Scaling Clinic session, is the importance of knowing your audience and crafting offers that resonate. It’s not about throwing money at ads and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding your practice’s strengths and matching those to what your target patients really want. Whether it’s high-value implants or smaller routine treatments, success is about being specific and strategic.

Mark Vurnum

So, let’s break this down—what actually makes a Facebook Ad campaign work for a dental practice? It all starts with one thing, and that’s clarity. You’ve got to know exactly what you want out of the campaign. Is it more patients booking high-value treatments? Is it boosting awareness in your local community? Or maybe even filling those slower slots in your schedule, the ones that always seem tricky to book? Whatever it is—define it. Without a clear objective, even the best ad creative is just noise, you know?

Mark Vurnum

The second thing—and trust me, this is huge—is follow-up. I see so many people generating leads and thinking, “Great, job done!” But it’s not. Leads don’t mean new patients unless you’re, well, actually nurturing them. Quick follow-ups are critical, whether it’s a simple email, a call, or even a message. Make that first contact timely and meaningful. The faster you reach out, the more likely that lead is gonna turn into someone sitting in your chair.

Mark Vurnum

And let’s not forget the creative side. Compelling offers combined with tight audience targeting—that’s where the magic happens. You need to ask yourself, “What's gonna make someone stop mid-scroll and think, yeah, I want that?” Specific offers, like teeth whitening for young professionals or family dental plans, paired with precise targeting, ensure you’re talking to the people most likely to engage. Platforms like Facebook give you the tools to do this at a level that’s incredibly powerful. Use them.

Mark Vurnum

So, when you pull these elements together—clear goals, solid follow-ups, and smart targeting—you’re not just running ads. You’re building a system, one that consistently delivers tangible results for your practice. And that’s really the goal, isn’t it? Putting the right patients in the right chair at the right time.

Mark Vurnum

On that note, that’s all for today. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you out there creating those winning campaigns!