Dental Link Building: A Guide to Boosting Your Practice's Online Authority
When it comes to ranking your dental website on Google, content and keywords are important—but they’re only part of the puzzle. If you want your site to stand out in a competitive local market, you need links. Not just any links—high-quality backlinks that tell search engines, “This dental website is trusted and relevant.”
That’s where dental link building comes in.
In this guide, we’ll break down what link building is, why it matters for dentists, and how to build powerful links that improve your local SEO and bring in new patients.
What Is Dental Link Building?
Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to yours. In SEO, these backlinks act like votes of confidence that help improve your site’s credibility and rankings.
For dental websites, these links should ideally come from relevant, local, or authoritative sources—like health directories, dental associations, community websites, and even local news outlets.
Why Is Link Building Important for Dentists?
Backlinks help with:
Higher Google rankings – More quality links = better SEO
Increased website traffic – From both search engines and referral clicks
Stronger domain authority – Making it easier to rank for competitive keywords
More trust from Google – Especially when links come from reputable sources
In short, if you want your dental practice to show up when someone searches “best dentist near me,” link building plays a key role.
Top Link Building Strategies for Dentists
Here are proven, white-hat link building strategies specifically for dental websites:
1. Get Listed in Dental and Medical Directories
Start with trusted directories like:
WebMD’s Physician Directory
American Dental Association’s Find-a-Dentist
These not only provide backlinks but also drive real patient leads.
2. Join Local Business Directories
Claim and optimize listings on:
Google Business Profile
Yelp
Bing Places
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Local Chamber of Commerce
City or neighborhood business directories
Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across all sites.
3. Publish Guest Posts on Local Blogs
Find lifestyle, parenting, or health blogs in your area and pitch a guest post idea such as:
“How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dentist Visit”
“5 Ways to Improve Your Smile Naturally”
In your author bio or article, include a link back to your practice website.
4. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses
Partner with:
Gyms
Wellness centers
Pediatricians
Chiropractors
Local influencers
You can exchange backlinks or co-promote each other through blogs and social media.
5. Sponsor Local Events or Charities
When you support local 5Ks, school events, or non-profits, they often link back to your site from their sponsors page. These links are not only SEO gold—they also build local goodwill.
6. Create Link-Worthy Content
Earn backlinks naturally by creating content that people want to share:
Dental FAQs
Local oral health statistics
Dental myths debunked
Infographics or videos on flossing/whitening
Case studies with before & after images
The better the content, the more likely others will link to it.
7. Submit to Press Releases and Local News
If your clinic hits a milestone, launches a new service, or wins an award—announce it with a press release.
Submit to local newspapers, radio stations, or online publications. These often link back to your website in the coverage.
8. Leverage Testimonials and Reviews
Offer testimonials for software providers, dental suppliers, or other vendors you use. Many will feature your name, business, and website as a thank-you.
Link Building Mistakes to Avoid
Buying spammy links – These can get you penalized by Google
Over-optimizing anchor text – Keep it natural (e.g., “visit our site” instead of “best Austin dentist”)
Ignoring link quality – Focus on relevance and trustworthiness, not just volume
Using outdated directories – Avoid low-quality or abandoned listing sites
Final Thoughts: Link Building = Long-Term Growth
Dental link building isn’t about quick wins—it’s about building a solid reputation online. The more high-quality sites that link to yours, the more Google will trust your practice—and the more patients will find you.
By investing time and effort into smart, ethical link building, you’ll see long-term improvements in your visibility, website traffic, and ultimately, your bottom line.