Dental Website Design for the Best User Experience

Dental website design has evolved beyond marketing. Modern consumers expect much more. In fact, 77% of patients prefer to book their appointments online over any other method. Meanwhile, the ability to easily share detailed dental treatment information can improve outcomes. Dentists who wish to elevate patient experiences can use their dental website design as an opportunity to make the entire process seamless, convenient, and informative.

Making Dental Website Design More Patient-Centric

Many patients are putting off the necessary treatment they need – nearly 34% of people report not going to the dentist regularly, while 30% haven’t gone since the pandemic started! Anxiety, a lack of motivation, and fear were all top reasons that many of these individuals delayed or avoided treatment.

Already, individuals have low motivation to seek out treatment. Adding an additional barrier to setting that first critical appointment can make it even more challenging. That’s why dental website design must be intuitive. Here are a few features to consider adding to improve your dental website design.

• Patient portal: A portal is a secure online platform where patients can access their dental records, review treatment plans, and update personal information. This empowers patients to actively participate in their oral healthcare journey and fosters transparency between the patient and the dental practice.


• Appointment scheduling: Implementing a user-friendly appointment scheduling system directly on the website allows patients to book appointments at their convenience – which we’ve already noted more than three-quarters of patients want– while also reducing the administrative burden and improving access to care.


• Online payment options: Offering secure online payment options streamlines the billing process and enhances convenience for patients. It’s also an easier way to track and manage patients' accounts.


• Digital learning opportunities: Nearly 42% of dental patients report having dental anxiety. One way to alleviate that anxiety is to give them the opportunity to learn about procedures and dental care from the comfort of their own home, so they can prepare for and understand treatment. Including videos, brochures, and other learning materials on procedures and oral hygiene is a straightforward approach that helps the patient feel in control.


• Case studies and success stories: Real-life case studies and success stories showcase the transformative impact of dental treatments on individual patients. By sharing before-and-after photos, testimonials, and narratives, dental websites inspire confidence and trust.


• Interactive chats: Setting up an interactive chat option can help answer patient questions beyond the FAQ while providing real-time assistance and personalized support.


• Real-time appointment tracking: A long time spent in waiting rooms can have a direct and negative effect on patient satisfaction. In fact, patient satisfaction with all aspects of care starts to decline after about 20 minutes of waiting. Using your website or mobile apps to give patients an exact time to show up for their appointment can minimize wait times and set treatment off to a strong start.

These features can make treatment more approachable, increasing both case acceptance and retention. However, there are additional steps you can take to stand out from other practices in the digital space.

Advanced Features that Take Your Site to the Next Level

Two of the top five reasons that people avoid going to the dentist are related to cost. Both lack of insurance and the direct expenses make patients less likely to seek out care. Meanwhile, physical distance can also be a barrier. Approximately 60 million individuals live in areas that are considered dental treatment deserts, where care is unavailable. To control expenses and improve access, there are a few features that dentists can add to their websites:

Virtual Consultations	Treatment Simulators	AI-Enabled Second Opinions	Cost Estimation Tools
Incorporating tele-dentistry functionalities allows patients to schedule virtual consultations with their dentist, enabling remote assessment and treatment planning. This is particularly beneficial for patients with limited mobility or those seeking second opinions.	Interactive tools like facially generated treatment planning  allow patients to visualize the potential outcomes of various dental procedures, from teeth whitening to orthodontic treatments. By seeing simulated results based on their own dental anatomy, patients can make more informed decisions about their treatment options.	Patients often want second opinions when care plans are high cost – but those second opinions are also an additional expense. Many AI tools allow patients to evaluate their smiles based only on photos, which then trigger possible treatment paths. While these should never replace exams, they are a great way to reiterate care needs.	Provide online tools that estimate the cost of common procedures based on patient inputs such as insurance coverage, location, and specific treatments needed. This can help patients budget around their treatment and make informed decisions about their oral health care expenses.

Advanced features incorporated into the dental website design will help eliminate treatment barriers and improve patient experiences. Instead of treating these websites as marketing tools, practices should consider them extensions of their own operations. They can help streamline administrative tasks and make patients more comfortable.