Marketing for Dentists in London, Ontario
London grew by over 10% between 2016 and 2021, with the north feeling the most pressure, and Western and Fanshawe together enrol more than 88,000 students a year. Two different patient groups, two different marketing plans.
What drives demand for dentists in London, Ontario?
Two groups. The City's ward boundary review says London grew by over 10% from 2016 to 2021, about 38,500 people, with the northern wards under growth pressure. Meanwhile the educational services sector profile counts over 88,000 students a year: Western University 40,676 and Fanshawe College about 43,000.
The students turn over each year and need visits that fit around classes. The new households in the north need a family dentist close to home.
How should London dentists market to students?
Lead with access and clarity. Students may be covered by a student association plan, a parent's plan or nothing, so the booking page should explain how each is handled and offer times outside class hours.
Treat September and January as launch months. Students arriving for a new term search for a dentist when something hurts, so an urgent-visit page helps too; see emergency dental marketing.
Which London neighbourhoods and keywords should clinics target?
Split keywords by audience. Campus and downtown terms belong to the student campaign; north-end community names belong to the family campaign.
North end
New households near growth.
Campus and downtown
Students and young workers.
Timing
After class or shift.
Negatives
Admissions and programs.
Note that "london dentist" also returns searches about London, England; use location targeting set to people in your area, as covered in the keyword guide.
What do compliant London dental ads look like?
Each audience gets its own ad, and both disclose general dentistry.
General dentistry for children and adults. Direct billing to most plans.
General dentistry by Richmond Row. We help you check your student plan.
CallTwo markets, two calendars.
Student marketing peaks around September and January; family marketing in the north follows moving season. Do not run one campaign for both.
Which channels work for London's two audiences?
| Channel | Students | North-end families |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Evening hours and transit directions | Saturday hours, parking, family services |
| Search ads | Campus terms, scheduled for evenings | Community names, scheduled for booking hours |
| Social media | Short posts on urgent care and plan billing; consent for any patient image | Back-to-school checkup reminders for parents |
| Website | Online booking without a phone call | Family booking and new-patient forms |
Guidance on posts and consent is in social media for dentists; booking flows are in website design for dentists.
Can a London clinic offer student deals?
Not under Ontario's rules as the RCDSO describes them. Its 2025 advertising article says dentists should not offer rewards, benefits or incentives such as reduced rates, bonuses or tiered programs, and its advisory bans giveaways, contests and draws, which rules out frosh-week prize draws. Reposting a student's video praising the clinic would be a testimonial.
British Columbia's standards allow some discounts to specific groups, which is a difference to know if you see a Vancouver campaign online. Compare provinces on the advertising rules page; this is a summary, not legal advice.
What should a London clinic do in its first 90 days?
Time the plan to the academic calendar if you serve students, and to the moving season if you serve the north.
| Weeks | Focus | Actions | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Booking basics | Evening and weekend times visible; plan billing explained; online booking tested on a phone | Online bookings per week |
| 4–6 | Student track | Campus campaign scheduled for evenings; urgent-visit page; term-start posts | Student first visits |
| 7–10 | Family track | North-end campaign with community names; family booking page | Family first visits |
| 11–13 | Split the budget | Compare cost per booked patient by track; move budget to the better one within capacity | Cost per first visit, by track |
Frequently asked questions
How do London dentists attract university and college students?
Show evening and weekend times, offer online booking, and explain how student plans are billed. Target campus-area searches.
Can I offer a student discount in Ontario?
The RCDSO says dentists should not offer incentives such as reduced rates, so student discounts are a risk. Compete on access instead.
How many students are in London?
Over 88,000 a year, according to the City: Western University 40,676 and Fanshawe College about 43,000.
Where is London growing?
The City's ward boundary review notes growth pressure in the northern wards, after the city grew by over 10% from 2016 to 2021.
Will 'london dentist' ads show to people in England?
They can match those searches. Set location targeting to people in your area and add negatives where needed.
When should a London clinic run student campaigns?
Around the start of each term, in September and January, with evening ad scheduling.
Sources & further reading
Regulator rules, platform policies and local data change. These sources let you check the facts on this page, last checked October 5, 2026.