Let's address the elephant in the room right away: we don't always show up in the top three map results when you search "Coquitlam dentist" or "dentist near me." So yes, we have some skin in this game.
But here's the thing—that doesn't make what we're about to say any less true.
The way most people find a dental clinic in Coquitlam (or anywhere else) has some pretty big blind spots. And if you're making a decision about who's going to be poking around inside your mouth for the next several years, those blind spots are worth understanding.
It’s easy to imagine: you realize you need a dentist, you pull out your phone, type "dentist near me" into Google, and immediately see three dental practices in that prominent map section - the “map pack” - at the top of the results.
It's convenient. It's visual. The practices have star ratings, reviews, and clear information about how far away they are. For a lot of people, the search ends right there—they call one of those three practices, book an appointment, and never think twice about it.
And honestly? That approach works fine for many people. Those practices in the map pack are usually legitimate, well-established dental clinics with solid reputations.
Of course, Google's algorithm isn't random. It factors in proximity, relevance, and prominence (which includes reviews and ratings).
But "works fine" and "finds the best fit for you" aren't necessarily the same thing.
pack results are determined by a combination of factors that, frankly, have more to do with digital marketing savvy than clinical excellence.
What influences those top three spots:
Proximity to the searcher's location – It matters, sure, but is a 10-minute drive versus a 5-minute drive really a deal-breaker for a place you'll mostly visit twice a year?
Google Business Profile optimization – How completely the practice has filled out their profile, how often they update it, how they categorize their services
Review quantity and frequency – Practices that systematically request reviews after every appointment have an advantage over those who don't
Website optimization and search engine signals – Technical factors that have zero bearing on whether you'll like the dentist
Established online presence – Practices that have been working within the system for longer tend to rank better
What the map pack doesn't tell you much about:
A five-star rating tells you that people generally had positive experiences, but it doesn't tell you whether those people have anything in common with you.
We can’t pretend we're writing this out of pure altruism. Our practice isn't consistently in those top three map spots, and that sometimes means potential patients never discover we exist.
Could we add more to our Google Business Profile? Possibly. Could we be more proactive about asking for reviews? Definitely. Are those things we think about? More than we'd like to admit.
But here's what we're genuinely confident about: there are patients who we'd be a genuinely better fit than one of the more visible practices, and there are patients who the opposite would be true for.
That’s something Google’s map pack's ranking system just doesn't have the nuance to tell you.
The goal of a Google algorithm is to satisfy the greatest number of searchers adequately. The goal of finding your dentist should be identifying the specific practice that satisfies you the most.
If you scroll past the map pack - or click "more places" to expand the list - you'll find dozens of dental clinics in Coquitlam. Some will be better fits for you than others, and map pack ranking is a pretty unreliable predictor of which is which.
Here's what we'd suggest actually matters:
Clinical approach and philosophy – Some dentists are more conservative, recommending treatment only when absolutely necessary. Others are more proactive, suggesting interventions earlier. Neither is wrong, but you probably have a preference.
Communication style – Do you want a dentist who explains every detail of what they're doing and why, or would you rather they just get on with it? Do you want to be walked through all your options, or do you want clear recommendations?
How they handle anxiety – If you have dental anxiety (and many people do!), you need a practice that takes this seriously, not one that just tells you to relax.
Technology and techniques – Not every dental practice has the same equipment or stays current with the same techniques. Depending on your needs, this might matter a lot or not at all.
The hygienist factor – For routine visits, you'll primarily interact with the dental hygienist. Their skill and personality matter enormously, and you won't know anything about this from a Google Maps result.
Logistics that actually affect your life – Can you get appointments that fit your schedule? Is the office actually easy to get to from your home or work, accounting for traffic patterns? Do they handle insurance claims efficiently?
The vibe – Does the office feel like a corporate assembly line or a small practice where staff know your name? Again, neither is inherently better, but you also probably have a preference.
If you're willing to invest just a bit more time than clicking the first result, here's what we'd recommend:
Look beyond the Google listing. Most dental websites will give you a much better sense of the practice's personality, philosophy, and what they prioritize.
Don't just look at the star rating; read what people actually say. Look for specific mentions of things that matter to you. Notice what complaints come up repeatedly versus what seems like one-off bad experiences.
The way the front desk handles your call tells you a lot. Are they rushed and impatient, or willing to answer questions? Can they clearly explain their new patient process?
Many dental practices offer new patient consultations. Meeting the dentist(s), seeing the office, and getting a feel for how they operate is worth far more than any number of online reviews.
Personal recommendations from friends, family, or coworkers who know your personality and preferences are often more valuable than anonymous online reviews.
We're not suggesting you should choose us (though obviously we'd be thrilled if you did). We're suggesting that choosing any dentist - whether they're ranking #1 or #15 on Google Maps - deserves more consideration than we give to choosing a restaurant for dinner.
The map pack is a starting point, not an ending point. It's 100% a reasonable way to generate a list of options, but it shouldn't be where your research concludes.
Your dental care is personal. The relationship with your dental clinic in Coquitlam is one you'll potentially maintain for years or even decades. The algorithm doesn't know you. It doesn't know whether you need a dentist who's great with anxious patients, or one who specializes in cosmetic work, or one who has early morning appointments, or one whose personality just puts you at ease.
So by all means, start with that search for "coquitlam dentist". But maybe, just maybe, click past those top three results. The perfect practice for you might be sitting just outside the spotlight, waiting to be discovered by someone willing to look a little bit deeper.
And if your search leads you to contact Glen Dental Centre? Well, we promise we’ll make your effort worth the while.
Get in touch with us!
(604) 552-2241
info@glendentalcentre.com
2975 Glen Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3B 2P7
