Creating the Best Assets for Social Media Ads
Social media advertising is a powerful way for dental practices to attract new patients, build trust, and showcase their services. But with so many platforms and ad formats available, knowing how to create the right assets is key to making your campaigns successful.
Here we explore the best types of content for dental ads, whether video outperforms imagery, what sizes you should use, which platforms to focus on, and the ad styles that resonate most with patients.
Do videos perform better than imagery?
Video is one of the strongest-performing formats in social media advertising. For dentists, videos help you:
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Showcase transformations: Before-and-after smiles are far more engaging when revealed in video.
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Build trust: Short clips of dentists and staff talking directly to the camera can create instant rapport.
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Educate: Explainers on treatments like Invisalign, teeth whitening, or dental implants help describe procedures in detail.
That said, imagery still works, especially high-quality photos of smiles, the practice environment, or team members.
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Use video ads for engagement and storytelling.
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Use static image ads for reach and brand reinforcement.
What sizes are best practice?
Using the correct dimensions ensures your ads look professional and don’t get cut off. Recommended ad sizes:
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Facebook & Instagram
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Square (1:1) – 1080 x 1080px
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Vertical (4:5) – 1080 x 1350px (great for mobile feeds)
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Stories/Reels – 1080 x 1920px (full screen vertical video)
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LinkedIn
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Landscape (1200 x 628px) for single-image ads
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Square (1080 x 1080px) works well in feeds
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TikTok
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Vertical video – 1080 x 1920px
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Tip: Always design with mobile-first in mind, as most patients browse on their phones.
What platforms are best for dentists?
Not every social platform will give you the same return. Here’s where dental practices tend to see the best results:
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Facebook & Instagram – Still the top choice for dental ads thanks to local targeting, visual appeal, and versatile ad formats.
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TikTok – Growing fast, particularly for younger audiences. Great for fun, short educational or transformational videos.
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YouTube – Excellent for longer educational videos and retargeting campaigns.
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LinkedIn – Best for B2B dental practices (e.g., specialist referrals) rather than patient marketing.
Which ad types work best for dentists?
Certain types of ads consistently perform well in dentistry because they tap into trust, transformation, and reassurance.
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Before & After Transformations
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Showcase cosmetic treatments like whitening, veneers, Invisalign, or implants.
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Always ensure you have patient consent.
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Testimonials & Patient Stories
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Video testimonials work brilliantly for building trust.
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Written reviews with patient photos can also be effective.
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Educational Explainers
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Short videos explaining common treatments or debunking myths.
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Position your practice as approachable and knowledgeable.
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Open Day / Event Promotions
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Ads promoting Invisalign open days, free smile assessments, or implant consultations create urgency and drive bookings.
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Team & Practice Showcase
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Ads that feature your dentists, hygienists, and support staff help humanise the practice and reduce patient anxiety.
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By carefully choosing your ad assets and tailoring them to the right platforms, your dental practice can stand out and attract more patients. If you would like any help with your Ads then please get in touch with one of the Dental Design team on 01202 677277.
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