If you're a dentist looking to attract more high-quality patients every month, Facebook Ads can be a game changer. The problem? Running ads can feel confusing, expensive, or even risky if you’re not sure what you're doing.

This guide breaks down a step-by-step process to help you confidently launch a Facebook Ads campaign that actually works. Whether you're promoting Invisalign, All-on-X treatments, or just trying to drive more general interest, everything you need is right here.

Start with a Lead-Generation Campaign

Begin inside your Facebook Ads Manager by selecting the "Leads" campaign objective. This is ideal for collecting contact information through Instant Forms, which typically convert better than sending traffic to a website—especially if your website isn’t optimized for conversions.

Choose the manual leads option and name your campaign based on the treatment you’re promoting. For example, "Leads Invisalign Campaign." Set your budget at the ad set level so you can control how much each audience receives. This allows for smarter testing and optimization.

Smart Targeting Is Key

Location targeting should be your first priority. Focus on your city or county, and use radius targeting to zero in on people within driving distance of your practice.

Then, fine-tune your audience using:

• Broad targeting to keep things simple

• Interest-based targeting like self-confidence or personal development

• Lookalike audiences based on past patients, especially if you have lists for specific treatments like Invisalign or All-on-X

Experimenting with different audience types is one of the fastest ways to find what works.

Watch the Full Walkthrough

To see the full campaign build in action, check out this visual tutorial:

Your Creative Matters More Than You Think

The most important part of your campaign is your ad creative. You should be testing a mix of videos, static images, and motion graphics. Using tools like Foreplay can help you gather inspiration from top-performing competitor ads.

At the end of the day, your ad needs to do more than just look good. It should clearly communicate your offer and use proven marketing principles that drive people to take action.

Build a Form That Filters for Quality Leads

Once your ad grabs attention, your lead form needs to qualify the right kind of patients. Start with a clear offer like "$500 off Invisalign for the first 10 patients" and follow it up with simple but strategic questions such as:

• How soon do you want treatment?

• Do you have dental insurance?

These questions help filter out casual browsers from people who are genuinely interested in booking an appointment. Don’t forget to turn on Messenger integration so your team can follow up in real time.

Don’t Skip Retargeting

Retargeting is where many dental practices leave money on the table. Make sure you’re retargeting people who visited your website, interacted with your social media, or watched your ads. These warm leads are often the easiest to convert.

Check that your Meta Pixel and Conversion API are properly set up to track and optimize your campaigns effectively.

Want Someone to Build It All For You?

If you’d rather skip the setup and let professionals handle the entire campaign, Great Marketing AI is here to help. Their team specializes in creating fully automated Facebook Ads campaigns specifically for dental practices.