The explosion of technology, including artificial intelligence, is the biggest potential change in the dental industry 10 years from now.
Aside from AI, the continuation of DSO consolidation and private equity influence, moving more toward interconnected healthcare and more personalized dental care are three other possibilities for dentistry in the future.
The 19 leaders featured in this article are speaking at Becker’s 2025 Fall Future of Dentistry Roundtable, set for Sept. 29-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.
If you work at a DSO or dental practice and would like to be considered as a speaker, please contact Randi Haseman at rhaseman@beckershealthcare.com.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: In your view, what will dentistry look like 10 years from now?
Catrise Austin, DDS. Owner of VIP Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry (New York City): Ten years from now, dentistry will be smarter, faster and more personalized than ever before. I predict a massive shift driven by AI, 3D printing, digital smile design and even virtual reality to ease patient anxiety. As someone who’s built my brand blending cosmetic excellence with media-savvy storytelling, I believe our future lies in meeting patients where they are — online, on-demand, and on a mission to feel confident.
But let’s be clear: technology alone won’t solve everything. Over 70 million Americans still lack dental coverage. We’ll continue to need innovative models like subscription-based membership plans, mobile clinics and teledentistry to make high-quality care accessible. The future belongs to practices that fuse empathy with efficiency. Dentistry isn’t just about teeth anymore, it’s about total wellness, confidence and connection. I’m happy to bring all three to my dental community to make a difference.
Phil Cassis. Co-Founder and CEO of Providence Dental Partners (Atlanta): I believe that dentistry in 2035 will be faster, smarter and more personalized, blending high tech with high touch. Artificial Intelligence will be at the core of significant transformations. It can already be integral in diagnosis, treatment planning and practice management. I think it will continue to evolve to help predict oral health risk and diseases earlier, as well as support regenerative and minimally invasive dentistry, accelerating the shift from restorative to preventive care. Other conditions such as practice consolidations (DSOs), payer reform and access to care will also continue to evolve, changing the landscape of dental economics. The practices that thrive will be those that embrace innovation, patient-centered care and a holistic view of how oral health impacts overall health.
Joshua Everts, DDS, MD. Chief Clinical Officer of OMS360 (Alpharetta, Ga.): Dentistry in 2035 will be transformed by three key developments: accelerated technological adoption, evolution of practice partnerships and fundamental shifts in the financial landscape.
The technological future is already unfolding with AI-assisted diagnostics and digital workflows, but the next decade will separate early adopters from those left behind. We’re not waiting for innovation, we’re witnessing the race to implement it. The competitive advantage will belong to practices that rapidly integrate these technologies, using AI not just for diagnostics but for treatment planning, patient communication and practice analytics. The differentiator won’t be access to technology but the speed and sophistication with which practices leverage these tools to enhance clinical outcomes and patient experience.
The business landscape will continue its consolidation trend, but with a critical bifurcation in partnership models. The defining question for clinicians won’t be whether to partner but whom to partner with. Successful organizations will be those that deliver genuine value beyond capital and economies of scale. The right partners will focus on enhancing patient outcomes, supporting clinical autonomy and investing in professional development, rather than simply managing expenses or centralizing services. Clinicians will increasingly recognize that partnership quality directly impacts patient care quality and practice sustainability.
Finally, the financial framework of dentistry will undergo a fundamental restructuring. The traditional insurance model, with its focus on procedure codes and annual maximums, will give way to more sophisticated value-based arrangements. We’ll see the emergence of membership plans, direct contracting with employers and innovative financing solutions that bypass conventional insurance limitations. This shift will simultaneously improve patient access to care and provide practices with more predictable revenue streams. Practices that proactively navigate this changing tide, rather than reactively adapting to it, will establish stronger financial foundations.
The next decade in dentistry belongs to those who recognize that technology, partnerships and financial models aren’t separate considerations, they’re interconnected elements of a cohesive strategy for delivering exceptional care in an evolving landscape.
Haim Haviv. Founder and CEO of Hudson Dental (New York City): I anticipate significant advancements in digitalization and technology integration over the next decade, with AI assistants refining treatment plans for improved efficiency and patient outcomes. Patients will expect streamlined digital interactions, and practices not embracing these changes may be disadvantaged. Furthermore, I foresee the increased prevalence and dominance of DSOs and group practices.
Loren Israelsen, DDS. Founder and CEO of Positive Impact Dental Alliance (Oklahoma City): In 10 years, I believe dentistry will be even more fulfilling, more connected and more impactful than it is today. As technology like AI streamlines the burdens of insurance, billing, scheduling and patient communication, we’ll reclaim time and energy to focus on what matters most: relationships, clinical excellence and growth. The best dentists will gravitate toward groups that don’t just offer jobs, but platforms — places to grow as clinicians, develop as leaders and shape the culture of the profession itself.
Nick Khalili. CFO of Cornerstone Dental Specialities (Irvine, Calif.): Dentistry will more than likely be significantly transformed to utilize more AI in diagnostic and treatment planning. Teledentistry will become standard, digital and personalized dentistry. There will be a greater focus on holistic health and more solo practices to group up and aggregate to form a DSO in both general and specialties space.
Geith Kallas, DDS. Dentist and CEO of Smile Makers Dental Center (Tyson’s Corner, Va.): Dentistry in 10 years will likely be shaped by technological advancements, shifting patient needs and evolving business models.
- Technological advancements including AI diagnostics and analysis, more widespread adoption of 3D printing to enable faster creation of custom dentures, crowns, bridges and aligners, teledentistry increasing accessibility and convenience for patients, digital dentistry and workflows will transform dental practices and laser dentistry with offer minimally invasive dental procedures.
- Shifting patient needs, as patients will prioritize personalized care, driving demand for emotional dentistry that addresses their mental and emotional well-being. Patients will expect convenient, patient-centric care, including online scheduling, longer office hours and streamlined billing processes. The demand for cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, veneers and aligner systems will continue to grow.
- Business models will evolve with DSOs becoming more prominent, driving consolidation and investment in the industry and private equity firms will increasingly invest in dental practices, leading to more mergers and acquisitions.
- Some additional trends include minimally invasive dentistry, regenerative dentistry and more holistic care.
Overall, dentistry in 10 years will be more tech-driven, patient-centered and connected to whole-body health, with a focus on prevention, personalization and convenience.
Louis Kaufman, DDS. Managing Member of Smile Design Studio of Hyde Park (Chicago): In 10 years, I expect to see more collaboration between PCPs and specialists so we can provide total health care. We will see continued growth in biomimetic materials and technologies. There will be more use of teledentistry to support remote patient management. The DSO model will continue to expand, and we will see more consolidation as time passes. However, we will still see demand for private practice concierge care for those who can afford it and demand it. We will see the majority of crowns and prosthetic appliances printed or milled within the dental office.
Joseph Kolligan. Director of Growth of Salt Flats Dentistry (Riverton, Utah): Ten years from now, I believe we’ll look back at this current moment as a turning point in the profession. We’ll see fewer HMO dental plans, a continued decline in Medicaid enrollment and utilization, and a sharp reduction in the dental hygiene workforce — trends that will force many general dentistry practices to rethink or even eliminate their traditional hygiene programs altogether.
At the same time, AI will become deeply embedded across clinical and operational workflows. From diagnostic support and treatment planning to automated revenue cycle management, artificial intelligence will be table stakes in the modern practice. Patient self-service tools will expand far beyond scheduling, empowering patients to take more control over their care journeys. On the restorative side, innovations from companies like SprintRay and Sirona will make in-office fabrication of crowns and other prosthetics faster, easier, and more cost-effective than ever before.
As margins continue to tighten, private equity’s appetite may shift away from fragmented solo practices and instead focus more strategically on acquiring and scaling small group platforms. I expect to see sustained growth of dental groups in the three to 49 location range, with more founders and clinical entrepreneurs building regionally focused, operationally sound businesses.
Lastly, I believe we’ll see a generational opportunity for dental professionals, not just in clinical roles but across HR, finance, IT and strategic leadership. As these groups scale, they’ll need experienced talent to build the infrastructure that supports growth, compliance, and long-term value creation.
Maria Kunstadter, DDS. Co-Founder and CEO of The TeleDentists (Overland Park, Kan.): Ten years from now my crystal ball shows dentists embracing technologies that provide access to preventive oral healthcare, thereby improving total health by reducing oral disease. Dentists can lead dental-medical Integration by treating patients’ whole health with saliva testing, can reduce drill and fill with early detection of cavitation with AI and then re-mineralizing the tooth and preserve tooth structure. Dentists taking control of their patients’ health.
Trevor Maurer. CEO of OMS360 (Alpharetta, Ga.): Obviously, AI will be at the center of significant changes in dentistry and I think you’re going to see a big shift from reactive to predictive utilization of AI. I think treatment planning will be digitally created and most of the repetitive tasks in the administrative section of practices will be as well. Note taking, reviewing cycle management, and your communications will all be non-human. Frankly, patients will expect and demand it.
Nick Murray. Vice President, Operations of Tailwater Dental Partners (Nashville, Tenn.): Ideally, the dental profession will reach a point where the public has a well-established understanding of the critical connection between oral health and systemic health and recognizes the mouth as the gateway to overall wellness. In 10 years, we should see patients seamlessly walking into their primary care physician’s office with an oral cavity report that assists the MD in making the best and most informed decisions for the overall health of the patient. This report could include items such as active periodontal disease, oral salivary diagnostics covering inflammatory, bacteria and other genetic markers. Ideally, this is used to avoid and hopefully alleviate the ailment of avoidable systemic, life-impacting diseases. In my perspective, the dental industry’s technology, specifically the use of AI-assisted diagnostics and patient education, should all be aligned with the systemic health approach in mind.
Francesca Pregano. COO of Smile Makers Dental Center (Tyson’s Corner, Va.): From my perspective, over the next 10 years, dentistry will be shaped by the seamless integration of advanced technologies that elevate precision, efficiency and patient outcomes. I envision AI becoming fully embedded in diagnostic protocols, especially in digital imaging. At that point, AI will not only interpret 2D radiographs but will also routinely analyze 3D scans, becoming a vital tool in developing comprehensive treatment plans. This shift will enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline clinical decision-making.
I also believe 3D printing will advance to the point where traditional milling is nearly obsolete. The speed, customization and material capabilities of next-generation 3D printers will redefine how we deliver same-day restorations, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances and prosthetics. These innovations will make care more personalized, efficient and cost-effective, ultimately transforming the patient experience and the way dental teams work together.
Sundeep Rawal, DMD. Senior Vice President, Implant Support Services of Aspen Dental (Chicago): Artificial technology and innovations in 3D printing and manufacturing are by far driving the most changes in dentistry right now. We’ve already seen how AI can improve diagnostics and treatment, and particularly for treatments like implant therapy, this technology will continue to improve outcomes and make certain procedures easier, more precise and more cost-effective for both patients and providers. In the next few years, I predict that AI will be applied to many more areas of the business: scheduling, training, patient and team experience, operations and more.
The opportunities are endless and I don’t see it slowing down at any point. The challenge that many smaller practices and DSOs face is innovation at scale. At Aspen Dental, we’re uniquely positioned to empower clinicians to integrate new technologies into their practices quickly because we invest significantly in continuing education through the Aspen Group University, and we also have the infrastructure and support systems in place for doctors to collaborate, share best practices and stay at the forefront of new technology.
Peter Rivoli, DDS. Owner of Rivoli Dental (Spencerport, N.Y.): The same question was presented to me in 1990 by my brother-in-law, and I responded that practices would consolidate to be large groups or small private practitioners. While most of this has come to fruition, I believe the next step is the redefinition of delivery. This redefinition will be both technological and experiential. Office design will need to change in order to maximize and illustrate today’s technological changes. In addition, employment constraints can be addressed with a combination of application software with home devices, in-office treatments and teledentistry follow-ups. We are also having a generational shift in how our patients experience the world and unfortunately most dental offices are still designed around a platform from the late 1980s when the majority of today’s technology didn’t exist. As an example, the traditional front desk is relatively functionless as it relates to patient interaction, and I believe it is one of the most unwelcoming parts of today’s dental offices. Over the next 10 years I believe there will be a progressive shift in office design and treatment delivery for both large and small dental practices.
Hoss Said. Vice President of Children’s Primary Dental Group (San Diego): In the next 10 years, dentistry will be defined by advancements in technology and speed, both clinically and operationally. Efficiency and production will continue to shape the business model, especially within DSOs. However, what will truly set successful practices apart is a relentless focus on human relationships. Practices that prioritize exceptionally high standards of customer service will build lasting trust and loyalty, ultimately driving long-term success.
Tami Savage. Vice President, RCM and Operations of United Dental Partners (Chicago): I foresee many changes coming to dentistry over the next decade. I am confident that AI will be a standard in supporting clinicians in interpreting radiographs. Another big change I see coming is clinical notes being done by voice to text with AI interpretation. With these changes and patient’s access to education, I expect that patient expectations will be higher. Regardless of how dentistry evolves, the core foundation will always remain putting the patient first and meeting their needs to sustain optimal oral health.
David Sopp. Chief Development Officer of Specialty Smile Partners (Eau Claire, Wis.): Continued technology advancements, expanded training options, new career paths and regulatory changes will ensure continued access to care and better patient experiences and outcomes. I envision a wider range of technology solutions for patient treatment and operating offices, more effective use of AI for diagnosis and workflow processes, greater automation for delivering care and an increasing prevalence of teledentistry among other technological advancements.
I anticipate regulatory changes that enable roles like dental therapists and hygiene assistants, expand clinical staff training capacity and/or empower dentists to practice through multistate compacts to be more widely enacted. Lastly, while private practices will continue to be part of the industry, continued consolidation will result in an increasing presence of corporate-owned practices.
Mariz Tanious, DDS. Chief Dental Officer of Affinity Dental Management (Holyoke, Mass.): In the next 10 years, dentistry will undergo a significant transformation driven by digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced 3D printing. These innovations will make for efficient, accurate and customizable treatments. AI will become integral to diagnostics, treatment planning and patient management, while 3D printing and CAD/CAM systems will enable same-day, customized restorations and may even pave the way for bioprinting in regenerative procedures. Just like we can’t live without our smart phones, patients will increasingly expect and demand digital experiences and cutting-edge advancements for their medical and dental care. I hope that preventive care will be the main focus of growth in dentistry, emphasizing efficient, patient-centered care that improves treatment outcomes by preventing disease.
