How to Send Your Google Review Link to Patients (With Text and Email Templates)
- Send the link the same day, ideally within a few hours of the visit.
- Text works well for most patients. Email is a good backup.
- Keep messages short, personal and free of incentives.
- Ask every patient, not only the ones you expect to be happy.
- Send one reminder at most, then stop.
What is a Google review link for customers, and where do you get it?
A Google review link for customers is a direct link that opens the write-review box on your practice's Google Business Profile. Patients tap it, choose a star rating and type a few words, without searching for your practice first.
If you are wondering how to get a Google review link for your business, it is free and already in your Business Profile: sign in, look for an option like Read reviews (older menus said Ask for reviews or Get more reviews), and copy the link. We walk through finding and testing it in our Google review link generator guide. Once you have it, the real work is sending it well.
When should you send the review link?
Timing matters more than wording. The best moment is soon after the visit, while the experience is fresh and the patient still has their phone in hand.
- Same day is best. A message a few hours after the appointment, or that evening, feels natural. Waiting a week feels like an afterthought.
- After a completed visit. A cleaning, a finished crown or the end of an aligner treatment are natural points. Mid-treatment visits with numbness or soreness are less ideal moments to ask.
- Ask everyone. Choosing the moment is fine. Choosing only the patients you think will be happy is not, and we explain why below.
Which channels work best for dental patients?
| Channel | Best for | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Text message | Most patients, same-day follow-up | Keep it under a few lines. Put the link on its own line. Only text patients who have agreed to receive texts from you. |
| Patients who prefer email, longer thank-you notes | Use a clear subject line. One link, one button, nothing else competing for attention. | |
| Receipt or visit summary | Every patient at checkout | Add a short line and the link or a QR code at the bottom. |
| Front desk in person | Patients who mention they had a good visit | A quick, sincere ask, plus a card or QR code they can use at home. |
| Follow-up reminder | Patients who did not respond | One reminder a few days later, then stop. |
For printed options, see our guide to Google review QR codes for dental offices.
Text message templates you can use today
Replace the bracketed parts and send from your practice number. Keep the practice name in the first few words so patients know who is texting.
- Simple thank you: "Hi [First name], thanks for visiting [Practice name] today. If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate a Google review: [link]"
- From the dentist: "Hi [First name], it's [Practice name]. Dr. [Name] asked us to say thank you for coming in. If you'd like to share your experience, here's our Google review link: [link]"
- Short and direct: "Thanks for choosing [Practice name], [First name]! Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? [link]"
- Open to feedback: "Hi [First name], thanks for coming in today. We'd love to hear how your visit went, good or bad. You can leave a review here: [link]. Questions? Just call us at [phone]."
- One-time reminder: "Hi [First name], just a gentle reminder from [Practice name]. If you have a moment to share your experience on Google, here's the link: [link]. Thank you!"
Email templates for review requests
Template 1: Same-day thank you
Subject: Thank you for visiting [Practice name]
"Hi [First name], thank you for coming in today. We work hard to make every visit comfortable, and honest feedback helps us keep improving. If you have a minute, would you share your experience on Google? [Leave a review]. If anything about your visit wasn't right, please call us at [phone]. We'd like to hear about it. Warm regards, the team at [Practice name]"
Template 2: After finishing treatment
Subject: Thanks for trusting us with your care
"Hi [First name], thank you for choosing [Practice name]. It has been a pleasure seeing you over the past visits. Reviews help other people in [City] find a dentist they feel comfortable with. If you're willing, you can leave one here: [Leave a review]. Thank you, [Dr. Name] and the team"
Notice what these templates avoid: no treatment details you would not want forwarded, no discount, no pressure, and no suggestion of what rating to leave.
What should you avoid when asking for reviews?
- Offering anything in return. Discounts, gift cards, raffle entries or free whitening in exchange for reviews break Google's policy, and the FTC's 2024 rule bans incentives conditioned on a review expressing a particular sentiment. The simplest safe approach is no incentives at all.
- Asking only happy patients. Hand-picking who gets the link, or screening patients and only sending the link to satisfied ones, is review gating. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews, and the FTC has warned the practice can be deceptive.
- Suggesting what to write. Do not ask for five stars or supply wording. Ask for honest feedback.
- In-office review stations. Having patients post on an office tablet or computer is risky, because many reviews from one device and location can look suspicious and may be filtered. Check Google's current guidance before trying it. Letting patients use their own phone is the safer route.
- Too many reminders. One follow-up is plenty. More than that starts to feel like pressure.
- Health details in the message. Keep messages general. Your compliance advisor can confirm what your texting and email setup allows.
How can a review link tool help your team stay consistent?
A plain Google link works, and many practices do fine with it. A tool starts to help when you have several locations, want to know how many patients actually used the link, or want a way to hear about problems privately first.
Our review booster gives each location one short link and QR code for texts, emails and receipts. The patient taps a star rating. Ratings at or above your cut-off open Google's write-review box for the right location. Lower ratings see a short private feedback form that is emailed to your office, and that form always shows a "Leave a Google review" link, so every patient can still post publicly. You also see simple stats: ratings given, sent to Google and private feedback.
If you'd like help setting up your templates or links, send us a note through the contact form. Our team can help you get it running. You can also read more about how the review link booster works, or see the full playbook in how to get more Google reviews for a dental practice.
The bottom line
Send your Google review link the same day, to every patient, with a short and genuine message. Skip incentives, skip hand-picking, and send no more than one reminder. Consistency over months matters far more than the perfect wording.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a Google review link to a patient by text?
Copy your review link from Google Business Profile, then paste it into a short text such as: Thanks for visiting [Practice] today, we'd appreciate a Google review: [link]. Send it the same day, from your practice number, and only to patients who have agreed to receive texts from your office.
How long after an appointment should I send a review request?
Same day works best for most practices, a few hours after the visit or that evening. The experience is fresh and patients are likely to have their phone handy. If they do not respond, one polite reminder a few days later is enough.
Can I offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google's policy prohibits offering incentives for reviews, and the FTC's 2024 rule bans incentives tied to reviews expressing a particular sentiment. Even small offers like a raffle entry or free whitening create risk. Ask sincerely and offer nothing in return.
Is it okay to have patients leave a review on a tablet in our office?
It is risky. Reviews posted from a shared office device can look suspicious and may be filtered or cause problems with your profile. Check Google's current guidance before trying it. Giving patients a QR code or link to use on their own phone is the safer option.
Should I send the review link to every patient?
Yes. Asking every patient keeps you on the right side of Google's policy, which prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews. It also gives you a more honest picture of how patients experience your practice, and any concerns that come up are useful to hear.