The verdict in three sentences
The real issue for a dental practice isn't the site's beauty, it's the no-show: each lost slot is worth between 15,000 and 50,000 FCFA. An online calendar with SMS reminders cuts absences by about 25 %, and a before/after gallery plus Google reviews feed acquisition. For 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA, the site often pays for itself in under six months from saved appointments alone.
The hidden cost of no-shows
A dentist treating 25 patients a week with 12 % no-show loses 3 slots/week. Here's the impact by average ticket.
| Average ticket | No-show/wk | Loss/month | Loss/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 FCFA | 3 | 180,000 FCFA | 2,160,000 FCFA |
| 25,000 FCFA | 3 | 300,000 FCFA | 3,600,000 FCFA |
| 50,000 FCFA | 3 | 600,000 FCFA | 7,200,000 FCFA |
Cutting the rate from 12 % to 9 % (i.e. -25 %) recovers one slot per week. On a 25,000 FCFA ticket, that's 100,000 FCFA/month recovered.
Standalone site or site + practice software?
Two approaches coexist. A standalone site often suffices at first; pairing with practice software becomes useful beyond 3-4 chairs.
| Criterion | Standalone site | Site + practice software |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 500,000-900,000 FCFA | 900,000-1,500,000 FCFA |
| Online calendar | Yes (basic) | Yes (multi-practitioner) |
| SMS reminders | Yes | Yes (automated) |
| Patient records | No | Yes |
| Implant/ortho quotes | Static page | Dynamic generation |
| Monthly subscription | 0-15,000 FCFA | 25,000-60,000 FCFA |
Mini case study
Dr. Sow, a dentist in Dakar, sees 100 patients/month at a 25,000 FCFA average ticket with 12 % no-show, i.e. 12 absences and 300,000 FCFA lost monthly. After SMS reminders, no-show falls to 9 %: 3 appointments saved, 75,000 FCFA/month recovered, i.e. 900,000 FCFA/year. A Standard site at 700,000 FCFA pays back in under ten months, before even counting new patients from Google reviews.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How much does a dental clinic website with booking cost in Dakar?
From 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA for a standalone site, up to 1,500,000 FCFA paired with multi-practitioner practice software.
Do SMS reminders really cut no-shows?
Yes, absences drop by about 25 %. On a practice losing 300,000 FCFA monthly, that's 75,000 FCFA recovered per month.
Are Google reviews important for a dentist?
Very: a well-rated listing captures a large share of "dentist Dakar" searches. The site makes it easy to collect reviews after each visit.
Can we show a before/after gallery?
Yes, with patient consent. It's one of the best-converting elements for implantology and orthodontics.
What's the delivery timeline?
Expect 3 to 5 weeks for a site with a working online calendar and SMS reminders.
Let's talk about your project. We set up online booking and SMS reminders that melt away your no-shows. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
