1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (and Keep It Updated Weekly)

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your online storefront. Be sure to have the following to get traction:

• Your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are 100% consistent across platforms
• Your business hours are accurate (especially around holidays)
• You're uploading weekly photo updates—inside your clinic, staff, patient-friendly environment
• 
  

Houston Tip: Encourage patients from local areas like Bellaire, The Heights, or Sugar Land to leave reviews mentioning their neighborhood. This increases your chances of ranking in “near me” searches.

2. Target Neighborhood-Based Keywords on Your Website

Don’t just rank for “dentist in Houston” get specific. Use geo-targeted phrases like:

• “Family dentist in Pearland”
• “Cosmetic dentist in Midtown Houston”
• “Emergency dental care in Katy TX”

Create separate service pages optimized for these locations to appear in local map packs and organic search.

3. Collect and Respond to Reviews (Like a Pro)

Google weighs recent, positive, and detailed reviews heavily when ranking local businesses. Train your front desk staff to ask for reviews right after an appointment, and respond to every single one (yes, even the negative ones) using thoughtful, personalized replies.

Pro Tip: Use a QR code on your front desk that links directly to your Google review page. Fast. Easy. Trackable.

4. Use Local Schema Markup on Your Website

Schema is behind-the-scenes code that tells search engines about your business. Adding LocalBusiness and Dentist schema to your homepage and contact page helps Google understand:

• Your service areas
• 
  
• Operating hours
• 
  
• Services offered
• 
  

Don’t worry if that sounds technical your web team or SEO agency ( hi there!) can implement it in less than an hour.

5. Leverage Local Backlinks from Houston-Based Sites

Want to boost your domain authority and out-rank your competitors? Get featured on:

• Houston medical directories
• 
  
• Local health & wellness blogs
• 
  
• Houston Chamber of Commerce or BBB
• 
  
• University or school partnerships offering dental tips
• 
  

Each local backlink signals to Google that you're a trusted part of the Houston health ecosystem not just another name on a list.

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters in 2025

More than 70% of patients look up dental providers online before making an appointment and most don’t look past the first three search results. That’s why investing in local SEO is the difference between staying busy and struggling to fill appointments.

If you’re a Houston-based dentist and want help applying these strategies, our team at Teru Digital specializes in local SEO for healthcare and wellness providers. Let’s boost your rankings and bring more patients to your chair without the guesswork.

CTA: Want a free local SEO audit for your dental practice? Click here to request yours today.