Just yesterday my dentist told me how well he was reviewed on Yelp.com, a website that lets consumers rate and review businesses. “They almost always give me five out of five stars,” he reported proudly.

I was impressed. “Wow, what a great dental marketing resource!”

He chuckled. “Well, only for good dentists! Sometimes I look at the guys who only get one or two stars… Some of them really do deserve it.” He shook his head in professional disappointment.

When I later looked up my dentist of Yelp, I discovered he did indeed have a five-star rating from dozens of patients.

San Franciscans love Yelp.com. The restaurant reviews are the site’s crown jewel, but it doesn’t stop there. Dry cleaners and plumbers, tailors and dog walkers – customers can find reviews of anything they’re looking for.

Based in Indiana, Angie’s List is a similar consumer referral website. It originally started in the areas of home repair and construction, but the site has continued to add new categories. The newest section? Dentists and other doctors.

Please note that these sites tend to focus on major metropolitan areas. Dentists in other areas are less likely to be included in sites like Yelp or Angie’s List.

Dentists: Have you gone ego-surfing lately? It’s in your best interests to know what consumers are seeing when they look you up online!

Read more about Angie’s List