Your dental practice launch checklist.

6 to 12 months before opening

Set the foundation

Get the business decisions in motion before you invest in promotion. Your advisors can help confirm what applies in your state and market.

• Define the patients you want to serve, your services and your target neighborhood.
• Build a startup budget that includes a realistic marketing line item and runway after opening.
• Talk with a dental-focused attorney and accountant about your entity, lease and financing.
• Review state licensing, permits, insurance credentialing and compliance requirements with qualified advisors.
• Research nearby practices and identify the experience you want to offer differently.
• Choose your practice name and check domain, trademark and local naming availability.
• Draft a target opening date with room for construction, equipment and approval delays.

3 to 6 months before opening

Make the practice real

Give your future patients a coherent way to recognize you, find you and understand what you offer.

• Finalize your name, brand identity, voice and the core story behind your practice.
• Secure your domain and professional email address.
• Plan your website pages: home, about, services, location, insurance and contact.
• Gather real team photos and write clear, accurate bios and service descriptions.
• Set up your practice phone number, inquiry routing and a process to respond promptly.
• Choose practice management and scheduling tools with a clear handoff for new inquiries.
• Confirm signage and exterior visibility with your landlord and local requirements.

1 to 3 months before opening

Become findable

Publish the basics early so people can discover the practice and learn when you are opening.

• Launch a fast, mobile-friendly website with your correct address, phone and opening status.
• Create or prepare your Google Business Profile when eligible, following Google's location and verification rules.
• Keep your name, address and phone consistent across your website and relevant directories.
• Set up website analytics and conversion tracking, with privacy-conscious form and call handling.
• Prepare a local search plan for the services and neighborhoods that matter most.
• Outline your opening announcement for referral partners, community contacts and social channels.
• If using ads, set the target area, landing page, budget and lead follow-up owner before launch.

Opening month and beyond

Welcome, learn, improve

An opening is the start of your marketing system, not the finish line.

• Test your contact form, phone routing, appointment request path and response times.
• Update your opening hours and online listings as soon as they are confirmed.
• Share opening updates with your local network and approved referral sources.
• Track inquiry sources, scheduled visits and follow-up without putting patient details in marketing tools.
• Ask for honest reviews using a compliant, consistent process without incentives.
• Review search visibility, ad spend and lead quality every month, then adjust the plan.
• Keep your website, team details, hours and service information current.