Local search has become the dominant channel for dental patient acquisition, and practices that optimize for it effectively are seeing compounding returns that paid advertising alone cannot replicate. Understanding how local SEO works — and why it matters so much for dental practices specifically — is essential for any practice owner thinking strategically about growth. Why Local Search Dominates Dental Patient Decisions When someone needs a dentist, proximity is almost always a primary factor. Unlike many healthcare decisions where patients may travel significant distances for specialists, routine and even advanced dental care is typically sought within a 5-10 mile radius....