Let’s be honest — nothing takes the wind out of your sails quite like a bad Google review.
It feels personal. It feels unfair. And sometimes, it feels like a total hit job.
If you’ve ever stared at a one-star review with your heart racing and your stomach dropping, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not a bad dentist.
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In this post, I’ll show you how to respond to a bad Google review with confidence, professionalism, and grace.
Watch the video: Here’s my quick 5-minute breakdown on how to respond to a bad Google review — what to say, what not to say, and how to bounce back with confidence.
Why Bad Reviews Hurt So Much
Dentistry is personal. We care deeply about our patients, and most of us pour heart and soul into every appointment.
So when someone posts something scathing — especially if it’s false — it hits hard.
The truth? Healthcare providers have zero protection from online slander. People can say anything — even if they never visited your office. And once it’s live on Google, it can sit there forever.
Recently, our office received a review that was 100% fabricated. We couldn’t even identify who it was. It’s frustrating, infuriating, and disheartening — but it happens to every great practice eventually.
How To Respond To A Bad Google Review
When that bad review lands, your instinct might be to fire back — don’t.
Pause. Breathe. Step away for an hour (or a day) before you do anything.
You can’t control what people write, but you can control your tone, your response, and your reputation.
Here’s the golden rule: keep your response short, kind, and classy.
At our practice, we respond to every single review — good and bad.
When it’s negative, our response is simple:
“Thank you for your feedback. We’d love the opportunity to make things right. Please reach out to our office directly so we can discuss this further.”
That’s it. No arguing. No defending. No over-explaining.
Remember: your reply is public, and potential patients are reading it. Staying calm and professional shows your integrity — even when the reviewer doesn’t show theirs.
If you’re ever wondering how to respond to a bad Google review in a way that helps your reputation, the answer is always: be the professional one.
Look for Lessons (If There Are Any)
Sometimes negative feedback highlights a genuine blind spot — maybe a communication miss or a front desk hiccup.
If there’s something to learn, fix it and move on.
If not? Don’t waste emotional energy analyzing what’s untrue or irrational.
Bury It With the Truth
Our secret weapon for bad reviews? More five-star reviews.
We ask every happy patient to share their experience on Google. Our team even has a small bonus system to keep the momentum going.
When a bad review appears, we focus on getting 5–10 new positive ones right away. It works.
A single one-star doesn’t matter when it’s surrounded by dozens (or hundreds) of glowing testimonials from real patients.
If you’ve ever wondered how to respond to a bad Google review and recover fast — this is it. Don’t fight the bad one. Bury it with the truth.
Protect Your Peace and Perspective
You can’t please everyone. You can’t fix “crazy.”
And you absolutely cannot let one bitter comment derail your confidence or your team’s morale.
If there’s a valid lesson — take it.
If it’s just noise — let it go.
Not everyone’s opinion deserves a seat at your mental table.
You and your team are doing incredible work.
Keep asking for reviews, celebrate the positive, and remember — your practice is so much more than one bad comment on the internet.
Final Thoughts
Handling online reviews is part of modern dentistry.
When you know how to respond to a bad Google review the right way, you turn a potential PR nightmare into an opportunity to show your professionalism, integrity, and leadership.
You’ve got this — and your next five-star review is right around the corner.
Check out Her Dental Journey Success for all of the ways I help women dentists and dental specialists build thriving, drama-free practices.
FAQs: Handling Google Reviews for Dentists
1. How do I respond to a bad Google review?
Stay calm, reply professionally, and keep it short. Thank the reviewer, invite them to contact your office directly, and never argue publicly. If feedback is valid, fix it. Then focus on collecting more five-star reviews to bury the negative one with truth and positivity.
2. Should dentists reply to all Google reviews?
Yes — every review deserves a response. Thank happy patients for their kind words and invite unhappy ones to reach out offline. Consistent engagement shows professionalism, improves your local SEO, and builds trust with potential patients researching your practice.
3. Can I remove a fake or false Google review?
You can report a review that violates Google’s policies (for example, if it’s spam, uses hate speech, or is clearly unrelated to your practice). However, removal isn’t guaranteed. That’s why it’s crucial to bury bad reviews with positive ones by asking happy patients to share their experiences.
4. What should I avoid when responding to a bad review?
Avoid getting defensive, sharing private patient details (HIPAA risk!), or using sarcasm — even if it’s tempting. Keep your response short, factual, and professional. Remember: your reply isn’t for the reviewer — it’s for future patients reading it.
5. How can my dental team help improve our Google reviews?
Empower your team to ask happy patients for reviews daily. Create a simple system — text or email links right after appointments — and celebrate wins together. Some practices even use fun review bonuses or team competitions to keep the momentum going.
