Dentists could be facing a tough year in 2026 as the needs and expectations of running a dental practice become more challenging.
Scott Kalniz, DDS, chief dental officer and vice president of network development at Beam Benefits, recently spoke with Becker’s to share what he thinks the greatest challenge will be for dentists next year.
Note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What will be the biggest challenges facing dentists in 2026?
Dr. Scott Kalniz: One of the biggest challenges facing dentists in 2026 will be balancing the increasing operational complexity of running a modern dental practice with the need to deliver high-quality, personalized patient care. Rising costs, staffing shortages, administrative burdens and growing patient expectations will continue to strain clinicians’ time and focus.
The key to overcoming these challenges will be the thoughtful integration of technology — particularly artificial intelligence. AI can deliver powerful data insights that help practices make smarter, faster decisions while automating many of the administrative tasks that slow teams down, such as scheduling, patient communication and revenue cycle management.
The DSOs I work with are all evaluating and implementing agentic AI to give their teams virtual assistants that not only manage these functions but also support dentists clinically — streamlining diagnosis and treatment planning, improving documentation and charting accuracy, and helping patients better understand their clinical needs. By embracing these innovations, practices can operate more efficiently, enhance patient trust and communication, and allow dentists to focus their time and expertise where it matters most: delivering exceptional care.
