Finding a Dentist on the Web is at the Heart of Local Search

The race to make a better mousetrap has nothing on the quest to make a better local search engine. Find me a dentist is an article by Rob Campbell that appears on Dr. Natalie Archer's Family Dental Care website and explores the notion that the quest to find a local dentist is a 'bleeding edge' in the technology necessary to fashion an effective local search service.

Facebook and Google+ and other social networking websites are changing the landscape and now enjoying a growing percentage of the local search market as people trust their friends. The sites have gotten really good at polling friends too and letting influencers convince followers to give their professionals a first try.

The fastest growing dental location services are building their own databases by scraping information from some unusual sources. The benchmark is Google, which has set the bar quite high in terms of delivering useful information for local search queries.

Local search directories like Yelp, Gigpark, and Localfaves.com also index dentists with reasonably good results. Yelp is particularly good because it lets members rate the services and more real people use Yelp than SEO practitioners useGoogle plus.

The five dentist discovery services outlined in this article use different data acquisition schemes to give users accurate local choices.  Each of the web services mentioned here has to believe, deep down in their databases, that they can provide better search results than Google for users seeking local dentists.

YourOralHealth.ca is the consumer facing portal maintained by the Ontario Dental Association and filled with information to help folks keep their teeth healthy. The writers here have composed interesting articles on nutrition, cosmetic dentistry, fluoride and water fluoridation, and even how to choose the right toothbrush. The website's first order of business, the first button in the navigation menu is Find a Dentist; the service is set up to help users find local practitioners using the ODA's comprehensive database of Ontario dentists.

Smile Canada pledges to serve up better results than Google by offering users a more customizable experience so they can best use the tool to find the perfect dental practitioner who most perfectly meets their needs. Their site is particularly geared to provide users with an in-depth understanding of many different treatments and procedures that are available in Canada.  They have a separate section dedicated to kids’ dentistry where kids can play games and learn healthy dental habits.

Dentistfind.com is a website that puts the local search right map up front is makes it impossible for the user to ignore - its made for mobile phones. Users are encouraged to drag that little pink man around the map and watch all of the nearby dentists appear.  The blue pins that pop up correspond to the business card blurbs that appear in the left hand sidebar; each info card details a nearby dentist.

Dental Referral is free. There’s no charge, no obligation and no hassles associated with finding a dentist through this user generated media service.  Dental Referral is all about collecting and dispensing personal references and as such it has set out to be the number one trusted online directory specifically for consumers to find dentists in their area. The website boasts that they provide more information than simply giving the name and phone number of a local dentist.”  By accessing the online database users will receive comprehensive background information on registered dentists including years in practice, education, their current licenses, and whatever specialties they practice at their dental offices.

The original article on Dr. Archer's website also outline the part that Canpages is playing and how they have differentiated themselves to try and bring some exclusivity to the local search services.  The problem is that Google is just so good and for the most part, so far, hasn't dropped a stitch.

Comments

[Mike Cornelia]

I used to hate going to the dentist, but finally found one that pays extra special attention to comfort. I always hated when a doctor would just dive into your mouth with no concern. What a relief!

[Janey]

I'm starting to discover that one of the only ways to find a dentist in Hamilton is to search online (ex. http://www.limeridgedental.ca/en/ ). Thanks for sharing the databases that give the best results when looking for a good dentist.

[Dental Implant Prices]

Interesting article, easy to read. useful information for local search queries. Keep up the good work.

[Bill Shields]

Are people usually able to find a (http://www.drsandstrom.com) dentist on the web? I got to mine by reference, and I haven't actually looked for anyone else. I like mine over here in Gilbert, AZ. I'm too comfortable to change.

[Mike Cornelia]

I have been looking for a specialist who can do dental implants in Brooklyn. I don't know anything about the procedure though. Has anyone gotten this done/can they give me some advice or words of encouragement.

[dorthypacker]

Thank you for posting this information about finding a good dentist. I have heard about a good dentist in ottawa that my neighbor goes to, but do you know where I should research this more? Thank you for your help!

[rapid]

Please correct the spelling above of 'fascinating' and 'story' .

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[dental equipment]

Great information on dentistry. Searching for a good dentist online would be a great and effortless idea.

[staceybeck01]

Thanks for all the advice. I need to find a dentist in Cincinnati OH, and I don't really know anyone here well enough to ask for referrals. Doing it online is definitely the way to go. http://www.kemperponddental.com/dental-services

[Brad Hoss]

I hope that they I can find a (http://www.paramountdentistry.ca) dentist soon. Just moved up to Ontario and those services would be appreciated.

[belmont dental chair]

Be careful when any website state that they have “the” solution for dental anxiety, and “the” solution is sedation dentistry . Sedation on its own won’t help with overcoming dental fears. It should be used in addition to good communication and psychological techniques, not as a replacement.

[customer experience strategy]

That's quite ironic, I Came across your site while browsing around with one hand and keeping the other one on my face where it hurts. How did you guess I have a toothache ?

[Jake Ostler]

Thanks for the info. I've been searching the web for St. Paul dentistry, and the only reliable website I've come across is http://www.snellingavenuedental.com. Thanks

[robynnlansyn]

This is a pretty interesting article. I've been trying to find a new dentist in Oakville so I typed that in and a bunch of stuff came up. I tried out yelp. And I think it was actually pretty helpful. http://www.lakesidedentalcentre.ca

[kikidistiles]

I can see why it is a hot topic. There are too many dentist in London Ontario where I live and its hard to know which one is the best.

[moonee ponds dentist]

Searching an efficient dentist is a daunting job. And searching it on him becomes more critical task. A dentist’s website is a great place to start with or you can also check in a dental directory. These directories place high on search engines and help new patients narrow their search to just what they need.

[Dexter]

I am new to the area and am searching for a general dentist in Anchorage AK. Do you know of any? Thanks.

[Shanna White]

Thanks for the list of potential sights for dentists lindsay. I appreciate the help!

[Jenifer Jenny]

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