How Does SmilesMatch's Matching Algorithm Work?
We score each practice on 12 dimensions — insurance match, distance, availability, specialty fit, comfort level, and more.
SmilesMatch's matching algorithm is the core of the product. Here's how it actually works — not a vague 'AI magic' explanation, but the real scoring system.
The quiz captures your needs
The 6-step quiz collects: what kind of dental care you're looking for, your insurance plan, your location, your budget range, your comfort level with dental visits, and your availability preferences. This creates a patient profile that's scored against every active practice in your area.
Scoring dimensions
- Insurance match (hard filter): practices that don't accept your insurance are excluded entirely
- Distance: scored on a curve — under 5km = 100, 5–15km = 80, 15–30km = 50, 30km+ = 20
- Service match: how many of your requested services the practice offers
- Availability overlap: do they have appointment slots on the days you selected?
- Comfort level match: anxiety-friendly practices ranked higher for high-anxiety patients
- Language match: practices offering your preferred language get a boost
- Budget compatibility: estimated service costs vs. your stated budget range
- Review score: weighted average of verified patient reviews
- Responsiveness: practices with fast appointment confirmation ranked higher
- Profile completeness: incomplete profiles are penalised slightly
A high match score doesn't just mean the dentist is nearby — it means they're a strong fit on multiple dimensions that predict whether you'll actually keep your appointments.
How scores are presented
Matches are shown as a percentage (e.g. 94% match). This isn't a review score — it's a compatibility score. A 94% match means the practice scores highly across most dimensions relevant to your profile. Scores above 85% are strong matches.
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Free for patients. 3-minute quiz. $100 gift card after your first treatment.
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