I’ve Spent 50 Years in Dentistry—Here’s Why AI is the Biggest Game Changer Yet

From dental assistant to hygienist, dentist, private practice owner, corporate executive, and dental school leader—I’ve seen it all.

For decades, dentists have battled the same problems:

❌ Too much time spent on admin instead of patient care – I’d much rather be in the chair working with patients, wouldn’t you?
❌ High overhead & staffing shortages – AI is not here to replace your team.  It’s here to make them more effective. 
❌ Unanswered calls leading to lost revenue – You have patients coming in, patients leaving for three hygienists and only one person at the phone.  What suffers?  You got it, the phone doesn’t get answered. 
❌ Inefficient scheduling & missed patient opportunities – Last minute cancellations and no-shows can easily get handled with the right system in place. 

I know these struggles because I’ve lived them. That’s exactly why I founded The Hanlon Group—to share what I’ve learned and help guide dentists toward a smarter, more efficient future.

Our vision? To be the premier consulting firm that revolutionizes dental practice management through AI integration, leadership development, and operational excellence.

Why AI is The Missing Piece

Most practices don’t need more staff—they need better systems.

AI-powered solutions now allow dentists to run a leaner, smarter practice—without the daily stress of hiring, chasing patients, or dealing with inefficiencies.

✅ AI-powered scheduling – Never miss another patient call or appointment
✅ 24/7 virtual assistants – Answer inquiries, book visits, and follow up automatically
✅ Automated workflows – Free up time for your team and improve patient experience
✅ Data-driven decisions – Use AI analytics to optimize practice growth

My Journey in Dentistry & Why I Believe in AI

I’ve dedicated my entire career to improving my skills and serving the dental industry. I started as a dental assistant, became a hygienist, and later earned my Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). I built my own successful private practice, held corporate leadership roles, and served as a dental school dean-level leader.

After seeing AI's impact on dental practices, I became obsessed with learning how AI works behind the scenes to support us. Now, I want to share that with you. 

After decades in the field, I realized that most of dentistry’s biggest problems—staffing shortages, overhead, inefficiencies—could be solved with AI. That’s why I pivoted my career to focus on helping practices integrate AI-powered efficiency solutions.

The Time to Embrace AI is Now

As I stated the other day, the future of dentistry isn’t coming—it’s already here. The question is, will you embrace AI or get left behind?

Curious how AI can transform your practice? Let’s chat!

Comment below or reach out to explore the future of AI in dentistry! 👇

#AIinDentistry #DentalEfficiency #Automation #DentalConsulting #PracticeManagement