Running a dental practice is about more than cleanings and crowns. Between patient care, staffing, billing, and scheduling — marketing can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list.
The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to attract new patients. With direct mail, you can reach people in your community, boost appointment bookings, and grow your practice — without a huge investment of time or money.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a successful dental direct mail campaign.
Step 1: Choose the Right Type of Direct Mail
There are two primary ways to send postcards:
Personalized (Addressed) Mail
Send postcards directly to a list of households. Great for:
- Reaching specific demographics (like families or seniors)
- Staying in touch with lapsed patients
- Promoting high-value services like implants or Invisalign
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
Send postcards to every home in a neighborhood — no mailing list required. Great for:
- New patient specials
- General awareness campaigns
- Targeting zip codes near your practice
Tip: EDDM is ideal if you’re looking to introduce your dental practice to the community or promote an offer like a $79 new patient exam. Personalized mail is best when you want to reach a more targeted group with specific services.
Step 2: Define Your Target Audience
Marketing without knowing who you’re trying to reach is like flossing without string — pointless.
Identify Your Ideal Patient:
- New Movers – People who’ve recently moved are likely looking for a new dentist.
- Families with Children – Promote pediatric or family dentistry.
- Adults 40+ – Focus on cosmetic, restorative, or implant services.
- Uninsured or Cost-Conscious – Promote affordable care or membership plans.
How to Target Them:
- Personalized Mail – Use a mailing list filtered by age, income, homeownership, or household size.
- EDDM – Use tools like Mapfire to find routes near your office where people match your ideal patient profile.
Check out these helpful articles for more info:
What Does Audience Targeting Really Mean?
Identifying Your Target Audience: A Beginner’s Guide
Step 3: Decide How Many Postcards to Send
Start with what your budget allows, then scale as needed.
- Test run: 1,000–2,500 postcards to one or two nearby routes
- Growth phase: 5,000+ postcards across multiple zip codes
- Ongoing branding: Mail every 4–6 weeks to stay top-of-mind
Reminder: Consistency is key. Most people won’t respond to your first postcard — but they will after the third or fourth if your name and offer keep showing up in their mailbox.
Step 4: Design a Postcard That Gets Saved (Not Tossed)
Your postcard should be clear, friendly, and action-oriented. Patients want to know what’s in it for them.
Must-Haves:
- Headline: “New Patient Special – Exam, X-rays & Cleaning for $79”
- Offer: A compelling reason to book now (e.g., free teeth whitening for new patients)
- Contact Info: Phone, website, and a QR code to schedule online
- Visuals: A smiling team photo, happy patient, or your practice exterior
- Credentials: Mention your specialties, years in practice, or awards
- Call to Action: “Call today to book your appointment” or “Scan the code to claim your offer”
Pro Tip: Taradel offers free dental postcard templates that are pre-sized and USPS-approved. Just drop in your details and you’re ready to go.
Step 5: Print, Mail, and Let It Work
With Taradel’s All-Inclusive Direct Mail, you design it, approve it, and we handle the rest — printing, targeting, mailing, and delivery.
Prefer a hands-on option?
With EDDM Retail, you can:
- Print your postcards
- Bundle in stacks of 50
- Fill out USPS paperwork
- Drop them at your local post office
Need help? We’ve got a full EDDM Retail Guide to walk you through it.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a marketing agency or massive budget to grow your dental practice. A well-executed direct mail campaign helps you:
- Get in front of new patients
- Stay visible in your neighborhood
- Promote specials that drive calls and bookings
Whether you’re new to marketing or looking to refresh your strategy, direct mail is a proven way to fill your schedule and build long-term patient relationships.
Ready to Launch Your Campaign?
Get started today with Taradel’s free tools and dental postcard templates. No commitment, no pressure — just better marketing made easy.
Reach the right patients. Grow your practice. All from their mailbox.
