How CandidPro Concierge is bringing new patients to Smile Lab with fewer advertising dollars

In New York City, thousands of dentists, orthodontists, and DSOs compete for the same pool of clear aligner patients. It’s a bidding war for attention that plays out on bus ads, street signs, and online. In that last arena, the price of being seen is always rising. 

"A clear aligner lead in New York City can cost upwards of $1,000," says Dr. Waise Ebrahimi, founder of Smile Lab, a dental practice based in Union Square. "By the time you count up all the marketing spend—the clicks that don't convert, the patients whose schedules change, the ones who show up and decide it's too expensive—you've spent quite a bit of money before a single patient books."

Dr. Ebrahimi knows the math. He's been navigating New York's dental market for years, building a modern practice defined by elevated design, leading technology, and a bespoke patient experience. His practice is successful, but his marketing spend for aligner patients left a lot to be desired.

CandidPro Concierge is helping change that equation.

‍A long-term relationship

Dr. Ebrahimi has been familiar with CandidPro since the beginning. As a general dentist without formal orthodontic training, Dr. Ebrahimi sought clinical confidence from CandidPro. 

Our CandidConsult service, which brings the expertise of US-based licensed orthodontists to our providers’ treatment plans, gave him the confidence he needed to bring clear aligner therapy to his practice in a market filled with experienced clinicians. 

"With CandidPro, I had the confidence that they had a team of credentialed orthodontists to help support me with treatment planning and the software side of things," he says. "All I had to do was focus on describing the health benefits to my patients and explaining why orthodontics matters for their long-term oral health. Explaining things is my forte."

That was four years ago. Hundreds of cases later we introduced CandidPro Concierge.

Hot leads. No spend.

CandidPro Concierge connects patients who have already expressed interest in clear aligner treatment with vetted providers nearby. Prospective patients begin on CandidPro’s website by completing a comprehensive questionnaire. They’re then matched with a provider like Dr. Ebrahimi. 

"Having a hot lead come in through Candid's own marketing sources is certainly a wonderful addition to my practice," he says. "It gives us an opportunity to help more patients. And the fact that I don't have to spend marketing dollars on this lead is wonderful."

Designed to close 

On Dr. Ebrahimi’s side, the effort is minimal. The CandidPro Concierge team delivers each referral via email, complete with the patient's information and questionnaire, giving the provider the details they need to initiate outreach while already knowing several key details. 

"That questionnaire is helpful because it gives us a little insight into what the patient is looking for," Dr. Ebrahimi explains. "My team can put the patient through our normal outreach process and create a chart for them. We’ll send emails and texts and eventually find a time for them to come see me."

The system is working on both ends for Smile Lab. In 14 months, CandidPro Concierge has sent Smile Lab 37 warm patient leads. 11 of them became CandidPro patients. The average time between when they filled out their survey on CandidPro.com to when their records were submitted was only 12 days. 

A match made for growth

Those familiar with advertising dollars know that results can be fickle and expensive. In a place like New York City, where the cost per click is higher than ever, services like CandidPro Concierge can be a vital part of a dental practice’s growth. 

With plans to expand Smile Lab into multiple locations, Dr. Ebrahimi sees CandidPro Concierge as a reliable part of their growing ambitions. 

“It’s not just about one-time clear aligner revenue,” he says. “When patients come to you for aligners and you show them what makes your practice special, they often become lifetime patients.”

The appeal of CandidPro Concierge isn't just about cutting costs or growing revenue though. It’s also about building relationships—with his clear aligner partner and with new patients.

"CandidPro is, in my opinion, a world-class product," he says. "And we have a world-class practice. It's a match made in heaven."

Concierge beyond NYC

Smile Lab is just one of many CandidPro practices that have found success using CandidPro Concierge. This program sends hundreds of interested patients to our providers every month. The results keep practices like Smile Lab growing with little to no effort on their end. 

Interested in learning how CandidPro Concierge can help grow your practice? Contact your CandidPro Account Executive or visit candidpro.com.