Dentist Locator with Interactive Australia Map

A custom WordPress directory plugin for discovering dental practices through an interactive SVG map of Australia and AJAX-powered search. The project combines a dedicated Dentist custom post type, structured practice metadata, state-based browsing, and a responsive frontend finder.

Highlights

• Dentist Custom Post Type for managing dental practices in WordPress
• Interactive SVG map of Australia covering WA, NT, SA, QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS
• AJAX search without full-page reloads
• Search by practice/doctor text, location and taxonomy data
• State-based filtering directly from the map
• Dentist metadata including address, phone, email, website, postcode, category and state
• Configurable no-results experience through WordPress admin settings
• Responsive frontend interface
• Lightweight implementation using WordPress APIs, PHP, JavaScript and CSS

How It Works

1. Administrators create and maintain records in the Dentists List custom post type.
2. Practice details are stored as WordPress post metadata.
3. The [dentist_locator] shortcode renders the public finder.
4. Visitors can enter a search term or select an Australian state on the SVG map.
5. JavaScript sends the request to WordPress AJAX endpoints and updates the result area dynamically.

Shortcode

[dentist_locator]

Add the shortcode to any WordPress page where the locator should appear.

Project Structure

dentist-locator-wordpress/
├── dentist-locator.php
├── README.md
└── assets/
    ├── css/
    │   └── dentist-locator.css
    └── js/
        └── dentist-locator.js

Technical Overview

• WordPress Custom Post Types
• Post Meta / Metadata API
• WordPress Settings API
• admin-ajax.php AJAX handlers
• Shortcode API
• Interactive inline SVG
• Vanilla JavaScript
• Responsive CSS

Installation

1. Download or clone the repository.
2. Copy it to wp-content/plugins/dentist-locator-wordpress/.
3. Activate the plugin from Plugins in WordPress.
4. Add dentist records from the WordPress dashboard.
5. Place [dentist_locator] on the required page.

Portfolio Note

This repository demonstrates a custom WordPress directory/search solution built around a real-world location-discovery workflow rather than a generic listing template. The map, search, custom content model and administrative settings are implemented as plugin functionality.

Author

Sajjadur Rahaman Shawon
GitHub: https://github.com/shawonshajjad