Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of many dental executives' minds this year as more realize the potential of this growing technology.
DSOs of all sizes have added AI technology to their networks to enhance patient care and make practice operations more efficient. This year, several DSO giants have stepped up as large proponents of the technology.
Heartland Dental and VideaHealth completed the largest dental AI rollout in history earlier this year after the DSO added VideaHealth's technology to its network of more than 1,700 practices.
Sarasota, Fla.-based Dental Care Alliance recently added two types of AI-powered technology to its more than 400-office network: Patient Prism's conversational intelligence platform and Overjet's X-ray analysis platform.
Dental Care Alliance CEO Jason Heffelfinger told Becker's adding this technology is all about improving patient care.
"When we talk about making sure patients get the greatest care possible, and they understand everything going on," Mr. Heffelfinger said. "To me, that's why we use AI."
Alex Mehler, DMD, Aspen Dental's vice president of endodontic support services, told Becker's the DSO has used the technology for several years in multiple ways, including for digital dentures, clear aligner monitoring, diagnostic screening and digital dental assistants. The company is also evaluating the use of AI for radiographic interpretation.
"There's a distinct path forward we see," he told Becker's. "One of the great things about being at Aspen Dental is thinking about it on a much bigger scale and thinking about, not where we are today or where it's going to go in a year or two, but where can we be in a few years to make everything a lot easier, from diagnosis to treatment planning to delivery of care, so we're able to fully and comprehensively diagnose and treat patients from start to finish."
Although some dentists are still hesitant about using AI, Dr. Mehler echoed Mr. Heffelfinger's sentiments about ultimately doing what's best for patients.
"What really needs to be the focus is patient care. How do we provide a better experience for the patient so we're fully treating everything that needs to be done and making sure we have patients who are fully informed of what's going on in their mouth and in their body, the importance of why we need to treat it, and then being able to treatment plan and deliver that care in the best way possible," he said. "Today, the standard of care in a lot of places is to get the full 3D image so you have more information. It's been really interesting to see that the more information you have, the better your diagnosis is, the better your care is, the more predictable it is and the better the outcomes are."
Riccobene Chief Administrative Officer Antoinette Finizio referred to AI as the DSO's new "wow factor" that has helped enhance the patient experience and increase treatment acceptance.
The DSO, which consists of more than 60 locations, began implementing VideaHealth's AI technology to its network earlier this year.
"We're seeing a lot of those 'aha' moments," she told Becker's. "Sometimes people aren't experiencing discomfort, so it's hard for them to equate having to have treatment when they're not feeling pain, but when they can see it in black and white, it really helps them to understand the value of the care they're getting and why it's important for them to accept treatment."