Dental marketing agencies charge $2,000-$10,000 per month. Dentplicity is free. But is free actually better? Let's break it down honestly.
The Agency Reality
Here's what most agencies don't tell you:
- Long contracts: 12-month commitments are standard
- Junior execution: Your account is often managed by entry-level staff
- Template strategies: The same playbook for every client
- Markup on ads: Many charge 15-20% on top of ad spend
- Slow response: Days or weeks for simple changes
The average dental practice pays $4,000-$6,000/month for "full service" marketing. That's $48,000-$72,000/year.
What Agencies Actually Do
Let's be fair—good agencies provide:
- Strategy: Market analysis and positioning
- Execution: Content creation, ad management
- Technical: Website updates, SEO
- Reporting: Monthly performance reviews
The question is: are these services worth $50,000+ per year?
The Dentplicity Approach
Dentplicity provides enterprise-grade marketing intelligence—free:
- Practice Grader: Instant analysis of your digital presence
- Market Intelligence: Competitor analysis and opportunities
- DentGPT: AI-powered content creation
- Reputation Monitoring: Track reviews across platforms
- Actionable Insights: Know exactly what to do next
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Capability | Typical Agency | Dentplicity |
|---|---|---|
| Market analysis | $500-1,500 one-time | Free, ongoing |
| Competitor tracking | Basic or none | Comprehensive |
| Content creation | 2-4 posts/week | Unlimited AI-generated |
| Review monitoring | Often extra fee | Included |
| Monthly cost | $2,000-$10,000 | $0 |
| Contract | 12 months typical | None |
When Agencies Make Sense
To be fair, agencies can add value when:
- You need complete hands-off management
- You're running complex multi-location campaigns
- You need specialized creative work (video production, photography)
- You have budget for premium services ($8,000+/month)
For most independent practices, though? The math doesn't work.
Many practices use Dentplicity for intelligence and strategy, then hire specialists only for specific needs (video, design). This saves thousands while maintaining quality.
The Bottom Line
The best marketing agency is the one that helps you not need an agency. Dentplicity gives you the intelligence and tools to make smart marketing decisions yourself—without the $50,000/year price tag.
Try it free. If you still need an agency after that, at least you'll know exactly what to ask for.
Get your free practice analysis and see what an agency would charge thousands to tell you. Get started free →
