The advancement and integration of AI into the dental industry is something that many throughout the space are keeping tabs on.
The leaders featured in this article are all speaking at Becker's 2024 dental conferences. This includes our Spring Future of Dentistry Roundtable, which is set for June 19-21 at the Swissotel in Chicago, and our Fall Future of Dentistry Roundtable, which is set for Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.
If you work at a DSO or dental practice and would like to be considered as a speaker, contact Randi Haseman at rhaseman@beckershealthcare.com.
As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who will speak at our roundtables. The following are answers from our speakers at the events.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What are the biggest trends in the dental and/or healthcare industries you are currently following?
Kathryn Alderman, DDS. CEO of Nebraska Family Dentistry (Lincoln): One of the biggest trends I'm currently following in the dental and healthcare industries is the integration of AI to enhance customer service roles in dentistry. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with and support our patients, streamlining processes and improving the overall customer experience. AI is not just about technology; it's about bringing a more efficient, personalized and responsive service to the forefront of patient care while supporting dental teams.
James Babiuk, DDS. President of the Centre for Oral Surgery (Joliet, Ill.): There are two trends that I am following and actively participating in. The first is the move away from opioids for post-surgical discomfort. As an oral surgeon, many of my patients are in their teens. Standard practice has been prescriptions for opioids after wisdom teeth extractions. But the risk of addiction is much higher in this age group as their brains are still developing. I have changed my approach to provide a comfortable experience without using these drugs. I have also partnered with Voices for Non-Opioid Choices, which helped to get the No Pain Act passed to require Medicare to give the same coverage for pain relief modalities that avoid opioids. The next challenge is to get similar dental coverage where long-acting locals are covered at a rate that is at least the same as the cost. The second trend is AI. We are still in the infancy of this tech, which will allow us to greatly improve our diagnostic abilities.
Bradley Dykstra, DDS. Founder, CEO and Clinical Director of MI Smiles Dental Group (Hudsonville, Mich.): I'm paying close attention to three current trends. First is the number of acquisitions by DSOs, the combining of the large DSOs, the increasing number of de novos and the possibilities of a few large DSOs going to the public market via the stock market. Second is the trends in wage inflation and the projected supply of dentists and hygienists. Third is the increasing ways AI can help in diagnosis, patient education, communication and other administrative functions.
Alexander Einbinder, DDS. Dentist of Caterpillar Dental (West Babylon, N.Y.): I am currently following the trends of 3D printing, digital impressions, haptics and guided surgery and robotic surgery. AI in clinical as well as practice management and for X-ray diagnosis and implant guides/planning.
Brett Gilbert, DDS. Owner of King Endodontics and Partner with Specialized Dental Partners (Niles, Ill.): The biggest trends I am following in the dental industry are the implementation of AI into all aspects of practice management, diagnosis and patient recruitment. Within the specialty of endodontics, I am actively following developing technologies in biomarker identification, advanced canal disinfection, new root filling materials and ergonomic magnification devices offering virtual communication to allow for more integrated care among specialists. We are in a proliferation period of change in dentistry.
Richard Huot, DDS. CEO of Beachside Dental Consultants (Vero Beach, Fla.): Since AI is front and center for all things in our universe lately, and especially for the impact it will have on our personal lives, it is no different for the medical and dental settings, both as a provider and a patient. The challenge for dental practitioners to use AI efficiently and productively in the office is how it integrates with existing technology, and how each dental company will offer to make it compatible with existing technology already used by the office. How it can be added to the current workflow without creating additional time spent marrying the different roles each piece has in the delivery of care will be crucial to its use and the acceptance by patients.
Alan Law, DDS, PhD. President of the Dental Specialists (Woodbury, Minn.): Here are some trends I am following: Staffing shortages and how to effectively manage, and how does the industry take proactive steps to get upstream of the lack of clinical staffing; the merging of AI in provider care and within insurance companies; advancement of AI and being able to measure effectiveness of implementation; the rise of specialty DSO and consolidation; DSOs shifting from aggregation to operating effectively and profitable with the practices under their platform; and rising interest rates and what that does to merger and acquisition activity, patient spending and general economic conditions.
Clifford Lisman, DMD. Department Head of Practice Management in the Dental Department and Member of the Medical Executive Committee of Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center: In no particular order of importance trends that I follow include but are not limited to: consolidation that is occurring in dentistry and overall healthcare; medical, dental and behavioral health integration; developing and implementing cultures of patient safety beyond that of sedation and general anesthesia; the benefits (and potential risks) of incorporating of AI into dentistry, healthcare and business overall; embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce of healthcare providers; addressing social determinants of healthcare, which account for approximately 80% of healthcare outcomes.
Sara Mahmood, DDS. Founder and owner of Brush365 (Dallas): I'm certainly following a few, most notably AI. I'm very curious to see how the industry continues to leverage artificial intelligence for elevating the patient experience, cultivating strategic growth tactics and making data-driven decisions. On a clinical level, I've been closely watching the 3D printing world as advances recently in technology and materials have been very promising for long-term restorations, same day removable appliances and for precision in surgery. Lastly, with the recent shutdown of SmileDirectClub and as key opinion leader for SureSmile Clear Aligners, I'm paying close attention to what's happening in the direct-to-consumer space and how SDC competitors respond to this very sudden business closure that left millions stranded without support.
Tia Meyer. Clinical Director of Neighborhood Dental Care (Sioux Falls, S.D.): Trends I'm following include: AI implementation, oral systemic connection, becoming less PPO dependent, dental membership plans and general dentistry groups acquiring specialty practices.
AJ Peak. CEO of Peak Dental Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.): Following X-ray AI capabilities with regards to its potential to improve quality and standard of care, increased case acceptance and reduced insurance claim denials are three things that I am following
Daniel Romary. Chief Information and Analytics Officer of North American Dental Group (Pittsburgh): The use, adoption and standardization of AI, which is being used by practices and insurance companies. Digital technology such as electronic health records, supporting self-registration and check-in at practices. Staffing shortages, replacing providers, competitive wages and talent scarcity across roles. The use of innovative technologies including 3D printing and the impact of turnaround times, labs utilization, etc.