People often ask what made me step away from day-to-day dentistry and into the world of AI and tech innovation. It wasn’t a single event but a series of experiences that pushed me to ask, “what if…” and think bigger.
Only five years into practice, I lost my first clinic to Calgary’s 100-year flood. Overnight, everything I’d built was gone. I could either rebuild the same way or see this loss as an opportunity to grow and rethink what was possible.
That moment changed everything. I sought mentorship and fresh perspectives on leadership and business. It also opened my eyes to a growing gap in dentistry—how much patient care still depends on each clinician’s ability to process vast amounts of data and knowledge within minutes.
Where the spark began
That realization became the foundation for my journey ahead. I wanted to explore how AI-driven decision-making could better support clinical judgment and patient outcomes.
Like many entrepreneurs, it began as a “side gig.” I’d join virtual calls with AI scientists, advisors, and innovators—often before or after seeing patients. I had to build a technical team, raise capital, and navigate startup programs that help founders turn ideas into reality. Those early days taught me that innovation starts with curiosity and the courage to learn what you don’t yet know.
Taking the leap
The hardest decision came later—to truly take the leap. To step away from a comfortable, fulfilling career as a successful dentist and multi-practice owner. Dentistry was my identity—forged through years of education and 16 years in practice.
Was I crazy to walk away from all that and start over in an unfamiliar space? Thankfully, I had the unwavering support of my wife, who’s also a dentist. One day, we sat down and said, “If you don’t go all in, how will you ever know what you could achieve—the impact you could make on the profession and patients everywhere?”
So I took the plunge. It was uncomfortable—even scary. On the outside, people praised my courage; on the inside, I often wondered, “Did I make the right decision?” The mental journey from clinician to innovator is as challenging as the practical one.
But deep down, I knew there was purpose in it. As dentists, we hold ourselves to perfection—every filling, every outcome. Yet in innovation, failure isn’t the end; it’s part of the process. True growth happens when we’re willing to keep going, iterating, and trusting that purpose.
Leading change starts with us
We live in a rapidly evolving world where AI and digital technology are transforming how we work and care for patients. Sharing my story isn’t about celebrating risk-taking; it’s about showing what’s possible when we embrace change instead of fearing it.
Innovation rarely comes from one big “aha” moment. It’s built through experiences—the magical and the difficult—that prepare us for what’s next. If you’re thinking about change, innovation, or something entirely new, remember: it begins with you. It’s up to us—as clinicians and leaders—to take that first step and become the change-makers our profession needs. And when we do, that shift is infectious. Your team, your patients, your family, and your peers will see it, feel it, and be inspired by it.
About the author
Dr. Amreesh Khanna is the founder & CEO of OraQ, an AI clinical software that integrates clinical data into a unified intelligence layer delivering actionable risk insights to support optimal treatment planning and precision patient care. A dentist‐operator with 18+ years experience chairside in complex care and dental implant surgery and as a multi-practice owner, he has built and run multiple dental businesses, an education company (ADEPT), and a non‐profit (Cause to Smile)—turning vision into operating reality. Deeply networked across North America, he understands the industry’s structure and market trends across solo, group, and DSO practices. He has an appointment at the University of Alberta School of Dentistry, involved in research and innovation in AI & Machine Learning in Dentistry, and is an invited speaker on AI in Dentistry. Visit dramreesh.com and oraq.ai to learn more!