As the Chief Marketing Officer of a dental technology company, I have the unique opportunity to witness innovation from two powerful vantage points. On one hand, I see the strategic and technological shifts happening inside our organization. On the other, I listen to the hopes and challenges shared by dental providers on the front lines of care. Few topics have created more curiosity, disruption, and dialogue than artificial intelligence (AI).
When I began researching AI in dentistry, I was stunned to discover that there are now nearly 5,400 peer-reviewed articles on the subject. That volume of research reflects more than academic momentum. It reveals an industry on the verge of transformation.
AI is no longer theoretical. It is operational. And for leaders in the dental space, the opportunity is not just to understand the technology, but to guide its adoption with integrity, clarity, and care.
Radiology and Diagnostics: Supporting Clinicians with Better Tools
Radiology has become one of the earliest and clearest success stories for AI in dentistry. A 2024 study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research showed how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be integrated into radiology workflows to improve efficiency while maintaining diagnostic accuracy (Stephan et al., 2024). In fast-paced practices, this means more time for providers to focus on treatment and patient communication, rather than paperwork and manual reporting.
But this is not simply about speed. It is about better clinical support. As leaders, we must ensure that any AI implementation enhances human decision-making and preserves the clinical judgment of the provider. The technology should be an extension of expertise, not a substitute for it.
This requires thoughtful leadership. Teams need support, structure, and clear policies to ensure AI is used responsibly. It is up to leadership to remove the fear and replace it with training, transparency, and trust.
Preparing Future Dentists: The Education Gap
What about the next generation of providers? They are entering a workforce that will look radically different than the one their professors trained in. A 2025 scoping review in the European Journal of Dental Education revealed that while some institutions are experimenting with AI tools, there is still no consistent framework for integrating them into curricula (Uribe et al., 2025). A separate systematic review published in BMC Oral Health echoed the same concern and pointed to the ethical implications of leaving students unprepared (Baxmann et al., 2025).
This is not just a curriculum opportunity. It is a leadership challenge. Every dental school, dental service organization (DSO), and software company has a role to play in shaping how clinicians learn about and interact with AI. We need to move beyond tools and focus on cultivating a mindset of innovation, reflection, and ethical inquiry.
When we invest in people, not just platforms, we create resilient providers who can lead confidently through future disruptions, technological or otherwise.
Patients Still Want a Human Connection
Innovation must never outpace empathy. A 2023 patient survey published in Head & Face Medicine offered a timely reminder: most patients are open to AI-assisted dentistry, but they want clarity about how it is being used and assurance that their provider remains fully involved (Ayad et al., 2023).
Patients value speed, accuracy, and convenience. But they also value empathy, reassurance, and a sense of being seen. AI must serve the relationship, not replace it.
This insight challenges us as leaders to ensure that our marketing, communication, and in-practice workflows never lose the human touch. From interface design to patient consent conversations, we must keep the focus on people, not machines.
Ethics at the Core: Leading with Responsibility
A 2023 editorial in the Journal of Dental Education emphasized the importance of integrating ethics into AI adoption, especially in education and institutional settings (Kim et al., 2023). That message applies across the entire dental ecosystem. Technology decisions are leadership decisions. How we train our teams, set expectations, and communicate with stakeholders reflects the values of our organizations.
As leaders, we must be proactive. That means asking hard questions early. Are our algorithms biased? Are we prioritizing equity and access in our technology strategy? Are we measuring success solely by efficiency or by patient outcomes and team well-being?
True innovation is not about being first. It is about being faithful to the mission of care.
Looking Ahead: AI as a Leadership Moment
The rise of AI is not a passing trend. It is a defining moment for dentistry and for those of us who lead within it. The decisions we make today will shape how care is delivered, how trust is built, and how teams collaborate for years to come.
This is not a time for passive observation. It is a time for intentional leadership.
Call to Action:
If you are in a leadership role in dental practice, education, or technology, now is the time to take action. Begin with the research. Engage your team in conversation. Identify the areas where AI can bring real value without compromising your core values.
Then ask yourself: How can I lead this change with wisdom and courage?
Let’s not wait for best practices to be handed to us. Let’s shape them…together.
I would love to connect with others navigating this journey. Whether you are piloting a new tool, revising your curriculum, or rethinking your patient experience, let’s share ideas and elevate the conversation. The future of dentistry is already unfolding. Let’s make sure we are leading it with intention.
References:
Ayad, N., Schwendicke, F., Krois, J., van den Bosch, S., Bergé, S., Bohner, L., Hanisch, M., & Vinayahalingam, S. (2023). Patients’ perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry: A regional survey. Head & Face Medicine, 19(1), 23-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-023-00368-z
Baxmann, M., Kárpáti, K., & Baráth, Z. (2025). The potentials and challenges of integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) in dental and orthodontic education: A systematic review. BMC Oral Health, 25(1), 905-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06070-7
Chau, R. C. W., Thu, K. M., Yu, O. Y., Lo, E. C. M., Hsung, R. T., & Lam, W. Y. H. (2024). Response to generative AI in dental licensing examinations: Comment. International Dental Journal, 74(4), 897-898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2024.02.002
Kim, C. S., Samaniego, C. S., Sousa Melo, S. L., Brachvogel, W. A., Baskaran, K., & Rulli, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence (A.I.) in dental curricula: Ethics and responsible integration. Journal of Dental Education, 87(11), 1570–1573. https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.13337
Stephan, D., Bertsch, A., Burwinkel, M., Vinayahalingam, S., Al-Nawas, B., Kämmerer, P. W., & Thiem, D. G. (2024). AI in dental Radiology: Improving the efficiency of reporting with ChatGPT: Comparative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26(7), e60684. https://doi.org/10.2196/60684
Uribe, S. E., Maldupa, I., & Schwendicke, F. (2025). Integrating generative AI in dental education: A scoping review of current practices and recommendations. European Journal of Dental Education, 29(2), 341-355. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.13074
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