If you had asked me five years ago what I thought would be the next big shift in dentistry, I wouldn’t have guessed artificial intelligence.
For the past 15 years, I’ve focused on helping dental teams build stronger systems, improve customer service, and create offices that run more efficiently. Through Front Office Rocks, I’ve trained thousands of practices on scheduling, communication, leadership, and team success. I’ve worked with practices juggling constant change, high patient expectations, insurance headaches, staffing challenges, etc.
And that’s exactly why I’m writing this article. Because something new is here, and it’s going to impact all of us. AI is no longer some far-off concept. It’s already reshaping how we work, and I want to help you make sense of it without overwhelm or fear.
So, why now?
Over the past year, you’ve probably seen more talk about AI than ever before. It’s showing up in tech demos, webinars, software updates, and even your social media feed. You might be wondering if it’s all hype, or if it’s something you’re expected to figure out on top of everything else.
Let’s clear that up right away. You don’t need to become a tech expert. You don’t have to overhaul your entire practice. But you do need to understand that this shift is happening, and that it’s worth your attention.
What AI really is
AI stands for artificial intelligence, but you don’t need to get lost in the science of it. At its core, AI is just software that can process information, learn patterns, and help perform tasks that used to take much longer. It can answer questions, write emails, analyze trends, and even help you make decisions, if you know how to work with it.
Think of it like a new assistant. One who’s lightning fast, never takes a break, and needs a little training to understand your systems. It’s not perfect, but when used well, it can make your entire team stronger.
What it’s not is a threat to your job or your team. AI doesn’t replace warmth, empathy, or good leadership. It doesn’t build relationships or manage culture. That’s still your job. But it can help reduce the weight of repetitive, time-consuming tasks so you and your team can focus on what really matters.
You’re already using it—and you might not even know
If your imaging software highlights areas of concern, your phone system transcribes voicemails, or your emails suggest what to write next then you’re already using AI. It’s embedded in more tools than you think.
The difference now is that new tools, like ChatGPT and others, are giving everyday users direct access to that power. And it’s changing what’s possible in your day-to-day work.
You might be thinking…
“I don’t have time to learn something new.”
I get it. Most offices barely have time to catch up, let alone add more to their plate. But that’s exactly why AI matters. The right tools can actually give you time back by handling the things that slow you down.
Or maybe you’re thinking, “This sounds like a trend that’ll fade.”
That’s what I thought at first, too. But AI isn’t a temporary fad. It’s a shift in how we process information and operate systems. Whether you embrace it or not, your competitors, your patients, and your software providers already are.
Why this matters to you
You’re not just a dentist, office manager, or team lead. You’re running a small business, managing people, making big decisions, and trying to deliver a great patient experience every single day. It’s hard work, and it’s only getting harder.
That’s why I started exploring AI, because I knew if I could make it make sense for me, I could help you do the same. And I quickly realized: AI isn’t just for tech companies. It’s for real dental offices, just like yours.
This isn’t about doing everything differently. It’s about doing a few things more efficiently. Whether it’s writing a job ad, creating training materials, drafting an email, or automating repetitive tasks, AI can be a helpful assistant not a replacement.
What’s coming in this series
Every two weeks, I’ll be breaking down a new topic in what I’m calling the Smarter Dentistry series. We’ll talk about how AI works, how to use it in your daily workflow, what tools are worth trying, and how to lead your team through change.
You’ll get practical advice, real-world examples, and a little inspiration to help you stay ahead—not fall behind.
And finally: a note from the heart
AI can do a lot. But it will never do what you do best: connect with people, build trust, comfort a nervous patient, or guide your team through a challenging day.
But it can give you time and energy back to focus more on those things.
That’s the opportunity we have. Not to lose the human side of dentistry, but to protect it.
In the next article, I’ll share my personal journey into AI and why I shifted my focus after 20 years in dentistry, what surprised me most, and how this technology is already helping the offices I work with every day.
You don’t need to be perfect at this. You just need to get started. Let’s learn together.
