Picture this: An independent dental practice established for 30+ years in an affluent area has always relied on referrals and word of mouth to attract new patients. However, over the last decade or so, there’s been a noticeable decline in the number of new patients coming through the doors. At first, it wasn’t much of a concern. More recently, though, it has begun to impact the practice’s revenue. The dentist is hoping to retire in 5 to 10 years, but sustained negative growth is threatening their plans.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of My Dental Agency, and, naturally, a significant milestone like this has prompted me to reflect on the changes I’ve witnessed since starting my company. Dental marketing has evolved over the last decade, but, for those of us who have been in the industry longer, we know it goes far beyond that.
A Decade of Dental Marketing
Recently, our co-founder, Jackie Cullen, sat down for an interview with Dr. Len Tau, a highly successful Philadelphia dentist and host of the Raving Patients podcast. Jackie’s episode, titled “More Than Marketing: Building a Premium Brand Patients Rave About,” features her latest book, Elite Dentistry: A Guide to Attracting Premium Patients.
MDA Co-Founder Jackie Cullen Featured on the Raving Patients Podcast
Online reviews are a goldmine of free marketing, yet most dental practices take them for granted. Yes, having a 5-star rating on Google and Facebook is an excellent goal. You want to show your pool of potential patients that your practice is the best. However, as some of the most recent data show, that star rating may not be as important as another factor: responses. Businesses that respond to their customers’ reviews win on all fronts.
Dental Practices Can’t Afford to Ignore Reviews, Literally
Build trust through authenticity. That’s not a slogan or a strategy. It’s something I practice every day in my company. Why is authenticity important? Consumers today are more informed and have the means to compare brands at their fingertips, anywhere, at any time, making them less loyal than ever.
How to Leverage Authenticity to Build Unshakeable Customer Loyalty
August marks ten years since Shaw Berg and I partnered to create My Dental Agency. When we started, I knew we had something special, but I didn’t realize just how special it was. I never doubted we would be successful, but I didn’t imagine we would blow all our goals out of the water. I had no idea how incredible our team would become, the caliber of clientele we would attract, or the impact we would have on the dental industry.
Grateful for 10 Amazing Years!
Not to be outdone by other popular social media platforms, on July 10, 2025, Instagram made a powerful change that altered the way people find businesses online. For the first time, public posts from professional accounts are being indexed by search engines. That means your Instagram posts can work for you outside the app because they will now begin appearing in Google search results alongside your practice’s website and reviews.
From Scroll to Search: Instagram Posts Are Now Google Results
As more of my clients move to a fee-for-service model to get away from the restrictions of insurance networks, I’ve noticed a rise in practices offering in-house membership or subscription plans. These self-administered savings plans provide an alternative for patients who don’t have insurance, as well as those whose dentist is out of network.
Dental Practice Membership Plans: The Insurance Alternative
Whether your practice has been using 3D printing for years or just starting to explore the possibilities, it’s important to let people know about it. Marketing your technology will help you get more out of your investment by attracting high-quality patients who appreciate what modern dentistry can do.
Why 3D Printing Matters to Your Patients
What if the goal isn’t retirement but freedom?
That’s one of the themes in a recent conversation between My Dental Agency’s Jackie Cullen and Dr. David Phelps—former dentist, real estate investor, and founder of Freedom Founders, a private community for dentists who want more control over their time, money, and future.










