Music for Dental Clinics
Like every other business, orthodontic offices need music. And not just any music. Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that serves a specific group of patients. Not just any playlist will do.
Regular dentists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of dental issues across a wide range of patients. Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in improper bites, crooked teeth, overcrowding, misaligned jaws, and other alignment problems. Most orthodontists serve young people, not the general population as regular dentists do.
While general dentists may treat patients of all ages, orthodontists typically work with children and teenagers. The first orthodontic evaluation is often recommended by age seven, since many issues are easier to treat early. Most kids get braces between ages 9 and 14.
“Age of patients is the key reason why music playing in an ortho office should sound different than music playing in a regular dental office or other types of businesses,” says Jeremy Bookman, ortho/dental/medical client services specialist for Custom Channels.
Watch this video about how Custom Channels makes
i-Orthodontics sound better!
When creating a playlist for a general dentistry practice, there are many ages, tastes, and moods to consider. The mix can include a wide range of eras and styles. Often, the goal is to create a relaxing environment for patients.
“With music for ortho offices, the variety of styles is typically narrower, and the energy is higher—with a fun, upbeat attitude. The songs are more contemporary, with a few universally loved classics mixed in,” says Bookman.
Of course, children and teens visiting an ortho office are usually accompanied by a parent or adult. That adult should also find the sound environment welcoming and appropriate. If the music feels outdated or the room is quiet, parents may question whether the office truly understands its patients.
Bookman reminds us that lyric content is another important factor. The songs need to be extra clean (like teeth) and friendly for both kids and adults. Custom Channels goes the extra mile by playing edited versions of contemporary pop songs.
Sample Playlist for a General Dentist
- Katy Perry – Wide Awake
- Phil Collins – Dance Into the Light
- The Head and The Heart – Honeybee
- James Taylor – Your Smiling Face
- Sam Smith – Diamonds
- Fleetwood Mac – Little Lies
- Dobie Gray – Drift Away
- Cole Swindell – She Had Me at Heads Carolina
- Adele – Easy on Me
- Coldplay – Paradise
- Jason Mraz – Have It All
- Sting – All This Time
- Chicago – If You Leave Me Now
- Colbie Caillat – Try
Custom Channels client: Rodeo Dental
Sample Playlist for an Orthodontic Office
- P!nk – Never Gonna Not Dance Again
- Spice Girls – Wannabe
- Walker Hayes – Fancy Like
- Sia – Unstoppable
- Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
- Doja Cat – Say So
- Jake Scott – Good Day
- Foster the People – Don’t Stop
- Ohio Players – Love Rollercoaster
- Weezer – Hero
- Ellie Goulding – Close to Me
- Drake – Texts Go Green
- Anne-Marie & Niall Horan – Our Song
- Madonna – Vogue
- Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed
Custom Channels client: Barbieri Orthodontics
Beyond the song selection, “Ortho offices are more brand conscious than they used to be,” says Bookman. “Promoting the brand is important—from wearing the logo, to in-office signage, to social media content. Messages between songs can reinforce and extend the brand right in the music experience.”
Messaging in between the songs is a key tool that orthodontic practices use to market their services to both kids and parents. These short messages can boost awareness and strengthen the brand for current and future patients.
“There’s a captive audience in the chair or waiting area,” says Bookman. He recommends brief messages—5 to 25 seconds long—played every few songs to highlight new products, special offers, referrals, holiday events, or social media connections. They make the office sound lively and on-brand.
Summary
Custom Channels is proud to serve clients across all areas of dentistry. Both general dentistry and orthodontics play key roles in maintaining good oral health. Playing great music that fits the vibe and brand of a practice helps patients feel more comfortable and connected.
Connect with Jeremy Bookman, ortho/dental/medical client services specialist for Custom Channels, at the AAO Annual Session, April 21–24, 2023, McCormick Place in Chicago (Booth #2614). It’s billed as “The definitive event for orthodontists and their teams.”
FAQs
Why is music important in orthodontist offices?
Music plays a meaningful role in the orthodontist office experience, particularly for younger patients and first-time visitors who may feel nervous or uncertain. The right music reduces perceived wait times, lowers anxiety levels, and creates a more welcoming atmosphere before a patient even sits in the chair. Research consistently shows that calming background music in clinical environments improves patient comfort and overall satisfaction, making it a simple but effective tool for practices that want to deliver a better experience from the moment a patient walks in.
What type of music works best in dental waiting rooms?
Calm, familiar, and unobtrusive music tends to work best in dental and orthodontic waiting rooms. Soft pop, light acoustic, easy listening, and instrumental tracks are consistently effective at reducing tension without drawing too much attention. Music with a slow to moderate tempo is preferable, as fast or energetic tracks can increase alertness and amplify anxiety in patients who are already nervous. Avoiding jarring transitions, heavy bass, or unfamiliar genres helps maintain a consistently soothing atmosphere throughout the space.
Do healthcare offices need music licenses?
Yes. Any healthcare office that plays music in a waiting room, treatment area, or any other patient-facing space is required to hold commercial performance licenses from PROs like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR. This applies regardless of the source, whether music is streamed, played from a personal device, or broadcast from a TV or radio. Using a commercial music provider that bundles licensing into the service fee is the most straightforward way for healthcare practices to stay compliant without managing PRO agreements independently.
How can orthodontists manage music across multiple rooms?
Zone audio management allows orthodontic practices to play different music in different areas of the office simultaneously. A waiting room might play soft, calming music to ease patient nerves, while a treatment area plays something more upbeat to keep the mood light during procedures. A commercial music platform with multi-zone support allows staff to manage all of this from a single dashboard, with no need to manually adjust music in each room. For practices with multiple office locations, centralized control ensures a consistent patient experience across every site.
