Do new patient specials bring patients who stay?
Specials can fill the chair once. Whether those patients return is the real question, and the rules limit what you can offer.
- Do free exam offers work?
- Can we advertise whitening deals?
- Do bargain hunters ever stay?
Often they bring visits, not loyal patients, and in Ontario RCDSO advises against advertising incentives such as reduced rates or bonuses. Check your own college's rules first. Then measure what matters: the share of new patients who return for a second hygiene visit within a year. Clear information about your care, convenience and coverage usually attracts patients who stay.
What the rules say
RCDSO's 2025 guidance lists rewards, reduced rates, bonuses and tiered programs among practices to avoid in advertising. Other provinces have their own rules. Read yours before running any offer.
Measure retention, not first visits
| Measure | Why |
|---|---|
| Returned for second hygiene visit | Shows they stayed |
| Accepted recommended treatment | Shows trust |
| Referred someone | Shows loyalty |
What works instead
Clear availability, online booking, insurance and CDCP information, family scheduling and reviews. See how to attract families.
How we look at it at ShoutEx
We track retention by source so you know which marketing brings patients who stay.
- Offers that breach college rules.
- Judging specials on first visits.
- No recall after the special.
- Discount-led brand.
- Rules checked first.
- Retention tracked by source.
- Recall booked at first visit.
- Value shown through service.
What dentists and regulators say
Here is what regulators and dentists say.
RCDSO advises dentists not to offer rewards, reduced rates, bonuses or tiered programs in advertising.
Read the RCDSO article →Dentists debate whether new patient specials bring loyal patients.
Browse the threads →Owners share which marketing brought patients who stayed long term.
Browse the threads →Community summaries describe recurring themes in public threads, not individual posts. Vendor pages describe vendor claims, so test them on your own calls.
Read next
Go deeper in the ShoutEx guides, or check the sources behind this answer.
We'll set up retention tracking by source.
Book a call →Follow-up questions
Are complimentary consultations allowed?
Check your college. Rules differ by province and context.
Do specials work outside Ontario?
Rules vary. Read your provincial regulator's standards.
How do we measure retention?
Report new patients by source and whether they returned within 12 months.