Is it really possible to go from 20 to over 100 new patients a month without burning out or breaking your systems? Dr. Blake Hamblin did just that. In this episode of My Dental Playbook, he and I break down exactly how he scaled new patient flow, optimized conversion, and kept production climbing without sacrificing quality or culture. If you’re a dentist looking to grow, this story is proof that it’s possible with the right mindset, systems, and team.
How Dr. Blake Went from Burned Out to Booked Out
When Dr. Blake first partnered with our team, he was frustrated. After bouncing from marketing company to marketing company, results were inconsistent, and trust was low. He decided to start small, test what worked, and stay actively involved in the process.
That’s when everything started to shift:
- He tracked progress using Practice by Numbers to monitor performance
- He showed up to every marketing call personally
- He communicated with the team daily, giving feedback in real time
This level of involvement helped him identify where things were working and where they weren’t – fast.
Why Conversion Rates Matter More Than Clicks
Many practices blame the marketing company when results are slow, but Dr. Blake shared a key insight: ROI is a team effort. His practice currently converts over 80% of new patient leads. That’s not typical, it’s exceptional.
Here’s what made the difference:
- Implementing real phone training across the team
- Holding the team accountable to following up on standards
- Focusing on the entire patient experience, not just the ad click
Most marketing campaigns don’t fail because of poor lead quality. They fail because of broken conversion systems. When Dr. Blake fixed this, the numbers changed dramatically.
Merging Practices & Doubling SEO Authority
Dr. Blake recently merged with another local practice. But instead of just acquiring patients, he did something smarter:
- Negotiated to bring the selling doctor over during the transition
- Connected compensation to patient retention and education
- Leveraged the older practice’s domain for SEO gains
His team avoided the most common merger mistake: losing patients in the handoff. Plus, they gained years of URL authority and nearly 500 additional Google reviews.
Quick Wins You Can Apply This Month
- Join your own marketing meetings. Don’t delegate blindly
- Use a phone training system. Grab one from My Dental Playbook if needed
- Evaluate your Google reviews. Like and prioritize the ones that showcase niche services
- Use the Practice by Numbers comparison tool. See where you’ve improved
- Tie conversion rates to ROI. Track them both every week
AI or Tools Tips
Want to boost your Google reviews the right way? Have your team like the most relevant ones using patient keywords (like “Invisalign,” “smile makeover,” or “dental implants”). This helps those reviews show up first when patients browse your profile.
Think Smarter
Most dentists assume more patients = more stress. But that’s only true if your systems can’t scale. Dr. Blake didn’t just grow—he built a business model that can handle growth without losing its identity. He knows when to slow down, when to invest, and when to build for the long game.
Final Thought
If you feel stuck around 20–50 new patients, you’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean growth is out of reach. With the right team, systems, and mindset, 100+ new patients per month is achievable and sustainable.
Final Checklist
- Show up to your own marketing meetings
- Set a phone conversion benchmark (80%+ is ideal)
- Regularly assess ROI by lead source
- Get buy-in from your front desk and treatment coordinator
- Don’t ignore your Google review strategy
- Explore smart mergers or partnerships
- Train your team on what “conversion” really means
- Track progress monthly using Practice by Numbers
