Unlock Hidden Revenue: How Patient Reactivation Can Skyrocket Your Dental Practice
Most dental practices pour all their energy into attracting new patients, but the real untapped gold lies in the patients who haven’t been in for six months or more. These are people who already know, like, and trust your practice — and with the right strategy, you can bring them back into your chair quickly and profitably.
In this episode of The No BS Dental Marketing Podcast, Chris Pistorius breaks down one of the fastest and most effective ways to grow your practice: patient reactivation campaigns. Here’s how to make them work for you.
What Counts as an “Inactive” Patient?
The ADA defines an active patient as someone who has received care within the last 12 months. But for marketing purposes, that’s far too long. Waiting a full year to reach out means missed opportunities and lost revenue.
Chris recommends starting reactivation efforts after just six months of inactivity. This proactive approach ensures you’re reconnecting with patients before they completely forget about your practice or find another provider.
Why Reactivation is a Quick Win Strategy
While long-term strategies like SEO and content marketing are important, they take time to yield results. Reactivation campaigns, on the other hand, deliver almost immediate ROI because you’re targeting patients who already know your practice.
Plus, reactivating existing patients is far less costly than acquiring new ones, making this one of the most efficient ways to grow your practice.
Common Reasons Patients Go Inactive
Understanding why patients fall off your schedule is crucial to re-engaging them. Some common reasons include:
-
Time constraints
-
Fear or anxiety about treatment
-
Insurance changes
-
Simply putting it off
By identifying these reasons, you can craft messaging that addresses their specific concerns and motivates them to return.
The Biggest Mistake Practices Make
Many practices rely on “set-and-forget” software like Weave or Dentrix for reactivations. Chris warns that software alone won’t get results. While these platforms can automate messages, they often lack personalization and strategic sequencing — two key ingredients for a successful campaign.
A strong reactivation campaign requires:
-
Multiple communication channels: phone calls, emails, texts, and even direct mail
-
Personalized messaging: don’t just swap in the patient’s first name
-
Strategic timing and sequencing: carefully plan when and how often to reach out
-
Time-sensitive offers and referral incentives: create urgency and reward loyalty
How to Build a High-Converting Reactivation Campaign
-
Start with phone calls – pick up the phone and reach out personally.
-
Follow up with emails and texts – deliver reminders and additional details.
-
Use direct mail smartly – send targeted offers to patients who are already looking for dental care.
-
Incorporate promotions and referrals – offer discounts, whitening, or other incentives, and encourage them to refer friends.
-
Track and optimize everything – monitor open rates, response rates, and appointment bookings to refine your approach.
Chris recommends running a minimum 8-week campaign, hitting patients multiple times across the right channels to maximize response. When done correctly, he’s seen campaigns reactivate up to 70% of eligible patients — a game-changing boost for any practice.
Double the ROI: Reactivation + Referrals
Smart reactivation campaigns don’t just bring old patients back — they also encourage referrals. For example:
-
Offer a free Sonicare toothbrush or a discount for bringing a friend
-
Highlight limited-time promotions to create urgency
-
Make patients feel appreciated and motivated to spread the word
This approach not only fills your schedule but also brings in new patients without high acquisition costs.
Ready to Launch Your Patient Reactivation Campaign?
If your recall list is growing or you have schedule gaps, a well-planned reactivation campaign is one of the fastest ways to increase production. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Kickstart Dental Marketing has over 13 years of experience helping practices build campaigns that drive real results. Schedule a free strategy session today and get personalized guidance for your practice.
🧩 Ready to Personalize Your Practice Marketing?
At KickStart Dental Marketing, we help dental and orthodontic practices build authentic patient communication systems that convert.
This free plug-and-play Social Media Calendar is your shortcut to consistent content, more followers, and more new-patient calls.
Perfect for busy dentists, orthodontists, and marketing teams who want results without the hassle.
👉 Download your free calendar here
Ready to grow with a system that works? Schedule a Free Strategy Session
🛠️ Tools & Tips:
SmartFollow™ – Automated lead follow-up
CallGuard AI™ – Review & coach call performance
PatientLine™ – AI phone assistant for overflow and after-hours
💬 Let’s Talk Strategy:
👉 Book a free strategy session:
https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Join Our Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth
Check us out! https://kickstartdental.com
Follow us for daily tips, tricks and growth hacks for YOUR practice!
https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing _________________________________________________________________________
Want to work with KickStart Dental to GROW your dental practice?
Contact mailto:chris@kickstartdental.com
Episode ideas? Guest Inquiries?
Contact mailto:jennifer@kickstartdental.com _________________________________________________________________________
