The latest numbers from June show Google controlling 63% of the web search market, with about 10 billion searches per month. That means that two out of every three web searches went through Google.

Yahoo! had 19% of the market, and Bing (the Microsoft search engine introduced last year) was in third place with 13% of searches.

Yahoo! has announced that it will soon use Microsoft’s Bing for its own organic search infrastructure, but the transition has not yet taken place. Yahoo! has indicated that the switch could take place as early as next month, or as late as next year.

Organic searches are the search results that come up naturally when a person searches for a keyword or keyword phrase. Paid search results are sponsored links that are part of pay-per-click (PPC) web marketing campaigns. Paid search listings typically are displayed above organic search results in a shaded section, or to the right in a sidebar.

While some dental practices use PPC dental marketing, organic search engine optimization is the real goal of dental website marketing. Your search engine ranking (how high your website ranks) depends on the quality of your website content, your keyword optimization, and incoming links from other websites.

When people talk about “search ranking,” they almost invariably mean Google ranking. The holy grail of SEO is for your website to display on the first page of Google search results (that is, in the the first 10 search results) for your target keyword phrases.

To see how your dental practice website ranks with Google, just enter in your target keyword phrase — for example, “cosmetic dentist Tulsa” or “Van Nuys dentures.” And cross your fingers!

If you’re on the first page, you’re doing well. If you’re in the top 3, your SEO is excellent. But if you don’t see your site on the first page of results, it may be time to review your site’s search engine optimization. Internet Dental Alliance specializes in optimizing the SEO for its dental websites.

Understand that in competitive markets, a search engine optimization company will charge you from $400 to $1,400 a month per website, with no guarantee of results. In fact, any company that claims it can guarantee you placement on the first page of Google is misleading you. In the ever-changing world of internet dental marketing and search engine technology, there can be no guarantees.

A note about Google searches: if you’re logged into Google or Gmail when you conduct your search, your results will NOT be the same as what other people will see. Google tracks information (like your location and interests) to display custom search results that it thinks will be most relevant to you. To see the same search results as potential patients, make sure you’re logged out of Google and use the “Private Browsing” option under the “Tools” section of your Internet browser.

“Who on the face of this planet gives more injections and has more training in head and neck anatomy than dentists?” asked one dentist. “No one!”

In this survey of 144 dentists…

• 62% see no problem with dentists offering Botox and dermal fillers
• 7% think dentists should only offer Botox for therapeutic reasons.
• 31% think this is not an appropriate role for dentists.

Here are some comments on Botox, Restlyane and dermal fillers from dentists:

• “Fantastic idea! The AGD just passed a resolution supporting general dentists in education and performing these procedures.” (General dentist)
• “Botox as an additional treatment to correct gummy smiles. Restylane to fill the fissures and wrinkles of the lips to perfect a cosmetic anterior dental prosthetic reconstruction” (Kuwait cosmetic dentist)
• “Dentists, with the extensive head and neck training they have, should probably have been the first to administer Botox and fillers. Factor in the reality that most dentists are fairly artistic and without question perfectionists, they absolutely should be administering Botox and fillers.” (Minnesota dentist)
• “For TMJ treatment if indicated.” (Prosthodontist)
• “I am doing Botox now for my family, staff and a few select patients. I do dermal fillers for my wife. I practice in the state of Texas and I can’t get our dental board to ‘allow’ us to do these procedures. Insurance companies will cover me but for only what our dental board will allow.” (Texas dentist)
• “In Texas, basically only an Oral Surgeon can do it—so let them take the risk and use this as a referral.” (Texas pediatric dentist)
• “Why not go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for veneers or high tech mouthguards??” (Florida oral surgeon)
• “Let’s have our physician friends extract teeth and place dental implants. This is a ‘busyness’ issue.” (Periodontist)

Read more – Botox Dentist Treatment: Most Dentists Approve

While most dentist respondents to this survey (72%) have not had such claims leveled against them, 9% have been sued for wrongful discharge, and another 19% have been accused of it or threatened with legal action.

“I had one employee who quit on their own discord then tried to file discrimination charges against me because she could not collect unemployment benefits,” said a New York orthodontist.

“We have an employee who successfully sued a former employer, and she is always alluding to that fact,” mentioned a pediatric dentist.

Read more – Wrongful Discharge: Dental Survey Results

Dentists say the fang veneers do not interfere with normal eating or speaking, though the size and shape of the patient's mouth will determine how long the fangs can be.

The 15-minute procedure can be reversed in about 10 minutes. Those individuals truly seeking permanent fangs will often file their canine teeth to points, almost always without the supervision or assistance of a dentist. Unlike tooth veneers, this process is permanent.

For those unfamiliar with the teen-targeted Twilight series of books and films, Stephenie Meyer's young adult series has made her the top-selling author for the past two years and an icon to young women and girls across the country and globe.

Teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson plays the vampire Edward in the Twilight movies; his fans refer to themselves as "Team Edward." Vampire veneers are a way to show both affiliation with the series in general and with the Edward character in particular.

Some Twilight purists scoff at vampire dental veneers, noting that in both the books and movies, the vampire characters do not in fact have visible fangs.

Of course, Twilight's Edward is far from the only pop-culture vampire icon in today's world. The popular TV series "True Blood" features vampire characters. Vampires also gained increased attention through the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the books of Anne Rice, including Interview with the Vampire.

Vamp fans who want their own fake fangs have plenty of at-home options, too. You can go online and buy fang "veneers" for about $20 that you make yourself and attach to your own teeth with putty.

"Everything you need to make a rigid, custom mold of your teeth inside the caps is included," says one website offering custom vampire fangs. "New 'Dental Snap-Fit' Interliner Customizing Material, a handy mixing vessel/carry case and a stir stick. All you need is a mirror & paper towel or tissue."

Read more: Twilight Fans Pay Cosmetic Surgeons To Have Fangs Put In

Read one dentist's description of applying vampire veneers: Vampire Teeth

In this survey, 23% of dentists said they would love to get an electric car, and 42% would consider purchasing one. 

“Most dentists I know give more back to their community than they spend on their car,” offered one dentist, a subtle comment against the stereotype of dentists who drive sports cars.

Here are some further comments on cars from dentists:

• “I love my Prius, but would love even more being able to recharge from my home.” (New York dentist)
• “Expensive sports cars and others in a similar price range are no longer the norm for most dentists that I am aware of, although the stereotype is still present." (Massachusetts dentist)
• “I am opposed to any dentist driving expensive cars of any kind when they do not pay for their staffs' health insurance and other necessary benefits. I sacrifice so that my staff can have good health insurance because I was taught to treat your staff like you would want to be treated!” (Alabama dentist)
• “I don't own a sports car. Rather than ‘waste’ money on an expensive car, I'd rather spend $50,000-$100,000 on something for my home or office that will make more money. Then, the money I make will be used for my family and the rest given to a worthy charity. Doing that makes me happier than driving any sports car!” (Ohio prosthodontist)
• “Let's be healers of the earth.” (General dentist)
• “Hell, I don't care what anyone drives, but patients always seemed to comment when I drove Mercedes, Excalibur, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, and Porsche autos. I grew out of that need years ago, but patients still ask what I'm driving now.” (Missouri dentist)
• “I would love a Tesla!!” (New Hampshire dentist)
• “I think if we work hard and can afford a fun car, we should get one!” (General dentist)
• “I never would buy all electric; it’s too far to drive to work and play.” (Louisiana dentist)
• “The problem for me is that I travel to places of the beaten track and it would be hard to find a place to ‘plug’ it in.” (California orthodontist)

Read more: One Dentist in 5 Would Not Drive an Electric Car

Fully 99% of dental graduates were able to find work within six months of graduation. By contrast, only 82% of computer science graduates were able to find employment.

The statistics, collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, revealed the highest unemployment rate in a decade for new grads. One in 10 of those who graduated last summer were unable to find a job within six months. The highest rates – 99% – are for dentistry, medical and veterinary students.

Read more: Up to one in four graduates faces unemployment

“Building a good relationship with your specialists is critical," advised a cosmetic dentist. "Open lines of communication and professionalism, along with some warm and fuzzy human contact are vital elements for strengthening this relationship. Specialist referrals are our second greatest source of new patients, after existing patient referrals.”

One dentist commented, “Oral surgeons and orthodontists are a great source of new patients, especially in a growing area.” But another disagreed, saying, "Orthodontists and oral surgeons should return the favor!"

“I enjoy the relationship with my periodontist," said one dentist. "He does the perio and I do the restorative. It's a non-threatening relationship because I'm not afraid that when I refer the patient that they will get lost."

Read more: Dentist Referrals from Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, Periodontists, Prosthodontists, and Other Dental Specialists

The dentist claims that the NobelDirect dental implant has serious design defects that lead to complications such as bone loss, an allegation Nobel Biocare denies.

Dr. Jason Yamada seeks compensation not just for himself but for the thousands of US dentists who have placed NobelDirect dental implants. The suit claims these dentists have had to perform or pay for additional surgeries on patients who suffered complications from the allegedly faulty implant.

The suit further alleges that Nobel Biocare has known about the defects for a number of years. In 2005-06, the Swedish Medical Products Agency investigated claims of bone loss with the NobelDirect implant. Nobel was allowed to continue selling the tooth implant, but was instructed to alter its instructions and marketing.

Nobel says that, as a result of the Swedish investigation, the product has been extremely well-documented. Spokesman Nicolas Weidmann told Reuters, "We have very, very comprehensive material and data, including the clearance from the SMPA in Sweden, that the product is absolutely safe."

Not surprisingly, Nobel Biocare plans to fight the suit.

Read more: Dentist seeks US class action suit vs. Nobel Biocare

In addition, 87% of dentists say they're satisfied with their internet dental marketing.

This survey found that:

• 54% have a dental website with their own domain name.
• 23% have multiple dental websites and domain names.
• 10% don't have their own URL, but are listed online.
• 13% don't have a website or online listing.

Here are some additional comment from dentists.

• “Any dental practice today must have a website. It is one of our primary sources for new patients.” (Florida dentist)
• “Can’t think of anything bad about web marketing. My new building will have my website in lighted letters, but not my phone number. Thinking about dropping about dropping all Yellow Pages advertising. I feel it is passé compared to websites.” (Georgia dentist)
• “Dental website marketing has been very successful for my practice. My website has generated an average of 5-10 new high quality patients per month. The ROI is phenomenal.” (Ohio prosthodontist)
• “I’m looking at providers now because it seems more people are using the web as a means to get the things they want and need, including dentistry. Feel I need to give it a try.” (California dentist)
• “You must update and change it to keep it current.” (California dentist)
• “I honestly don’t think they are as utilized and helpful as they are cracked up to be. The HUGE majority of new patients are still referred by satisfied existing patients.” (Illinois dentist)

Read more: One Dentist in 4 Does not Have a Dentist Website

Co-author Dr. Van Haywood remarked, "What we've noticed through whitening patients' teeth over the years is that as they bleached, their teeth got squeaky clean and their gingival health improved."

Custom-fit mouth trays with carbamide peroxide can improve tooth and gum health in patients who lack the dexterity for regular brushing and flossing, and can improve symptoms of dry mouth (xerostomia) as well.

Read more: Tooth whitening may improve oral health of elderly