584 Referrals in 12 Months!

You know what’s better than a new patient?

A new patient who already trusts you – because their best friend, sister, or neighbor swore up and down that you were the best dentist since fluoride.

That’s the magic of referrals. They’re the most cost-effective, trust-loaded new patients you can get.

The only problem? Most practices treat referrals like a rare eclipse: “Wow! A referral! Haven’t seen one of those since 2019…”

So when Stonehaven Dental wanted to grow, they didn’t wait around hoping for referrals to show up like an Amazon package. They built a system to orchestrate them. 

The result? 584 patient referrals in one year. 

Let’s break it down.

The Problem: Referrals Are Great. “Hope and Pray” Is Not.

Stonehaven Dental knew patient referrals were high quality, high converting, and high trust. But they also knew that they weren’t receiving as many referrals as they could. 

There had to be a better way.

The Plan: Be Proactive, Not Passive

We teamed up with Stonehaven to build an intentional referral system that made it easy – and even fun – for patients to share the practice with others.

Here’s what we put into action:

1. Email Campaigns

We sent out friendly, low-pressure emails reminding patients they could refer friends and give them a sweet deal for their first visit. We kept the tone warm, helpful, and non-salesy. (Because no one wants an email that screams “SELL YOUR FRIENDS FOR DENTAL CREDIT.”)

2. In-Office Signage

Strategically placed signage reminded people right before and after treatment…“Hey, we’d love to care for your friends and family too!” Bonus: it gave patients something to look at besides the ceiling tile.

3. An Offer That’s Actually Worth Sharing

We crafted a referral-specific offer that provided value to the new patient, not just the person referring. That made it easier to pass along. (“Hey Karen, here’s a great dentist and a nice little deal for your first visit.”)

4. Team Incentives & Training

Staff was encouraged (and incentivized) to talk about referrals in a natural, helpful way. Think more “friendly suggestion” than “used car sales pitch.”

5. Handwritten Thank-You Cards

Every month, we sent handwritten notes to every patient who sent someone in. Not a generic email. Not a pre-printed postcard. A real note with real ink – because people remember that. (Unlike whatever their spouse said this morning before coffee.)

The Results: 80% Increase in Referrals

Over the course of a year, Stonehaven Dental went from 326 referrals to 584 referrals, a near 80% increase year over year. 

• 584 new patient referrals
  
• More consistent schedules
  
• Decreased new patient acquisition cost
  
• A growing base of loyal patients who now felt like part of the practice’s story
  
• A culture of appreciation (and actual thank-you notes!) that deepened patient loyalty
  

All from a strategy that didn’t require more ad spend…just more intention.

A Quick Word

Let’s be honest: asking for referrals can feel a little awkward.

“Hey, if you enjoyed that root canal, you should tell your friends! And maybe your enemies too!”

But when you create a process that feels natural, adds value, and shows appreciation, patients actually enjoy sharing. Especially if you don’t make it weird.

The Big Lesson

Referrals don’t have to be random. And you don’t need to sit around hoping someone remembers your practice during dinner conversation.

You just need a plan.

Ready to Tap Into the Patients You Already Have?

Your current patients might be your biggest marketing asset…if you have a system to harness it.

If you’re tired of hoping referrals just “happen,” let’s change that. We’ll help you create a referral strategy that feels authentic, repeatable, and effective.

Let’s talk about building your referral engine.

Click Here to get started!