Learn How Company Merchandise Can Be Used as a Marketing Tool for Dentists

Modern dental practices are like all businesses in that they cannot thrive or grow without good quality marketing behind them. Your loyal clients will only keep you going for so long. That is why building a marketing strategy that aligns with your business and pushes it closer to its goals is important.

Though it may not be the immediate thought when considering ways to market your dentistry, company merchandise is a great place to start.

It may not be common to see merchandise for dentists, but we have an impressive collection of custom products that will appeal to your clients, align with your brand and position you well in the market.

What Are The Unique Challenges When It Comes To Marketing For Dentists?

Dental practices face many of the same challenges as businesses across other industries when it comes to marketing; the main one being competition.

To put it bluntly, the market is saturated. According to Christie & Co.'s 2024 Dental Market Review, competition is growing, and the market is becoming more vibrant due to new opportunities, particularly in cosmetic dentistry. 

The increased use of social media and pressure to look a certain way have also increased transactional activity within the dental market, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

In 2022, Dentistry.co.uk reported that larger groups competed for quality private and mixed practices and that 430 dental practices were sold in the UK, excluding mergers.

The problem we are seeing for dentists is that as the market grows and experiences increased popularity, they must work harder to ensure their business is seen and heard amongst the noise.
This isn’t easy when dental practices typically offer the same services at similar prices.

To overcome this major challenge, it is essential for dental practices to maintain an active online presence. This can be achieved with an up-to-date website, appealing offers and competitive services that give you a unique edge.

Dentists, like many businesses in the health sector, often have antiquated branding and boring websites that make them feel old-fashioned and can cause them to fall behind as new, exciting alternative dentistries start to pop up. To avoid this pitfall, you need to invest time and money in your digital image - it is the only way to keep up with the ever-evolving market.

Online reviews Drive Consumer Decisions.

Sharing positive patient testimonials online can further enhance your image and strengthen your reputation. No marketing activity is more powerful or better at building trust than a good review. In fact, a recent study by Bright Local found that 88% of consumers trust online reviews written by other consumers as much as they trust recommendations from their personal contacts.

All of this online work should be supported by engagement with the local community, which is where the majority, if not all, of your client base can be found. This could include offering free dental checkups for those living within a certain radius of your dental practice or organising events that educate people on good dental hygiene.

How Can Promotional Giveaways Assist Dental Practices With Marketing?

Promotional giveaways are an additional avenue that you can take to build brand awareness, retain existing or new clients, encourage referrals, improve the overall experience and promote new services or offers.

Let’s dissect each one:

Build brand awareness through branded products

Company merchandise acts as a walking billboard for your business. You’re effectively taking a valuable and practical product and then placing your branding on it so that it can be seen by those who use and encounter it over its lifetime.
For example, a printed fridge magnet shaped like a tooth with your dental practice name and contact details displayed on the front will advertise your business to anyone who sees it.

Use custom products to retain new or existing clients

Why not offer a promotional giveaway to clients who have sat a certain number of appointments or stay loyal year after year?

There is power in showing appreciation to your longstanding clients through branded products, such as custom keyrings and printed notepads. You could even post volume giveaway items, like custom calendars or printed paper sticky notes, to remind these clients that they are due an appointment.

Furthermore, clients who visit for the first time could be offered promotional reusable water bottles or promotional umbrellas as they leave. This will create a positive lasting impression of your practice and a more memorable experience, increasing the likelihood that they will return.

Encourage referrals through promotional giveaways

When a customer leaves an establishment with a free printed item, not only will they leave feeling good, but they will also have a product that will act as a constant reminder of your business. The next time they need dental work, or they encounter a friend or colleague who does, they will think of you and have your name (and contact details) in hand.

Improve customer experience with printed products.

Most people, especially children, are not keen on visiting the dentist. Offering a gift or custom product as an incentive during their dental appointment is a great way to engage positively with them.

Giving a nervous child a small promotional teddy while they are in the waiting room or promising them a promotional toothbrush after their appointment will create a more positive overall experience for them. This will encourage them to return and make life easier for their parents, too.

Promote a new service or offer with branded merchandise

When launching a new service or running a special offer at your dental practice, promotional giveaways can assist in gaining publicity and incentivise people to make a purchase.
Let’s say you are adding a new cosmetic treatment to your services and you want people to know about it and book an appointment. You could offer those who book within the first week a branded item, such as printed sunglasses or custom toiletry bags.

My Promotional Merchandise Ideas For Dentists Gifting To Children

The right choice of promotional gifts for children visiting your dental practice helps you build positive associations with dental care. Novelty-printed giveaways such as printed stickers, custom colouring books, and tooth-themed merchandise gifts provide entertainment for children in the waiting room, plus create practice fans from the parents.

Premium Promotional Gifts For Cosmetic Clients

For your cosmetic clients, why not explore premium merchandise gifts? In a competitive market, a branded gift tailored to the aesthetic and lifestyle of cosmetic buyers will be a powerful marketing tool. It will boost your brand image and encourage word-of-mouth referrals and reviews. Promotional gifts have been proven to increase client retention rates and repeat business. With our collection of custom cosmetic bags and printed travel bags, spread your practice message far and wide.

Personal beauty merchandise, promotional mirrors, or custom cosmetic sets will also be a hit. For vast appeal merchandise giveaways, we have luxury bamboo technology giveaways, such as power banks and wireless chargers. You can also focus your client gifting on sustainable merchandise options.

Let The Merchandise Ltd Team Help You With Your Promotional Gift Ideas

The team at Merchandise Ltd is dedicated to delivering bespoke merchandise solutions that resonate with your specific needs. We ensure that your promotional items reflect the professionalism and care associated with your practice. Our extensive experience in corporate merchandising solutions makes us a valuable partner for any dental business.

You can view more ideas for dental merchandise here

Written By Evie - Account Manager At Merchandise Ltd

Tel:01895 438459

Email: evie@merchandise.co.uk