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AI in Dentistry

AI in Dentistry—Why So Many Are Still on the Sidelines

I was chatting with a group of dentists last month and couldn’t help but notice how many of them haven’t yet brought AI into their practices. It wasn’t that they weren’t interested—they were. But they were held back by a mix of uncertainty, confusion about the technology, and most telling of all, simply not knowing where to begin.

Let’s face it—most dental professionals are swamped running their practices and don’t actively hunt for the latest trends unless someone puts it right in front of them. And who can blame them? When you’re juggling patient appointments, wrestling with compliance paperwork, and managing staff issues, who has time to fall down an AI research rabbit hole?

Here’s the thing though: AI isn’t some sci-fi future concept—it’s already here, quietly transforming patient care, making workflows smoother, and even helping reduce staff burnout. The good news? You don’t need to flip your entire practice upside down overnight. Start small—focus on fixing a specific problem rather than adopting AI just because everyone’s talking about it.

Where Should You Start?

The simplest way to begin your AI journey is to pinpoint a real problem that’s bugging you. Maybe it’s too many no-shows, difficulties with treatment planning, or the mountain of admin work crushing your staff. Chances are, there’s an AI-powered solution out there that can help.

Here are some areas where AI is already making a real difference in dentistry:

  • AI-Driven Radiographic Analysis – Tools like Pearl’s Second Opinion or Overjet can help analyze X-rays and flag potential issues, giving you an extra set of eyes and reducing the chance of missed diagnoses.
  • Automated Patient Communication – AI chatbots and virtual assistants can handle scheduling, reminders, and basic patient questions, freeing up your front desk staff and cutting down on missed calls.
  • Clinical Decision Support – AI can spot treatment patterns and offer predictive insights, making case acceptance easier and enhancing patient education.
  • Billing and Insurance Processing – AI tools can streamline insurance claims and billing, reducing errors and speeding up payments.
  • Custom GPTs for Internal Use – Picture having an AI assistant tailored specifically for your practice that can answer staff questions, help with workflows, and provide quick guidance on tricky administrative tasks. With platforms like ChatGPT’s Custom GPTs, this isn’t science fiction—it’s totally doable right now.

The Role of Your IT Partner

If you’ve got a tech-savvy IT partner who stays current with dental technology, now’s the time to lean on them. They can help evaluate AI solutions, check for security risks, and make sure any new tools play nice with your existing systems. No tech-savvy partner? No problem—there are plenty of other ways to get started:

  • Talk to Peers – Reach out to colleagues who’ve already jumped into AI and learn from them. What’s worked? What hasn’t? What would they do differently?
  • Research Vendors – Many AI companies offer free demos or trials, so you can test-drive before committing.
  • Involve Your Team – Your staff will be using these tools every day, so get their input. Their feedback is gold when determining if a solution is right for your practice.
  • Do Your Due Diligence – Before investing, talk to similar practices already using the tool. What works for a massive DSO might be overkill for your cozy private practice.

One More Thing: AI Consent Forms

As AI becomes more involved in patient interactions and diagnostics, consider updating your consent forms to mention AI usage. While AI doesn’t replace your expertise, being transparent with patients about how these tools support their care builds trust. A simple AI consent clause keeps your practice protected and maintains patient confidence.

Final Thoughts: AI is Here to Help, Not Replace

AI isn’t something to fear—it’s a tool that can boost efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and make daily operations smoother for everyone. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to benefit from it; just start small, choose solutions that address real headaches, and do your homework before implementing anything.

Take it step by step, and your practice can start enjoying the benefits of AI without feeling overwhelmed. Just dip your toe in the water first—before you know it, you might be ready to dive right in.

Posted in Tech News

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