The consent gap: What the Heartland lawsuit teaches us about AI in dentistry

Artificial intelligence holding the scales of justice (AI in legal field, concept)

In early July 2025, a class-action lawsuit1 was filed against Heartland Dental, the largest dental support organization (DSO) in the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Heartland used AI-powered call tracking and transcription tools from RingCentral without obtaining informed consent from patients. It’s an eye-opener for the entire dental profession especially for those of us … Read more

Why blaming the economy is a trap that’s keeping you overworked and underpaid

Shocked Medical Doctor Reading Document At Desk In Office

Who moved my cheese—in my dental practice? Inspired by Spencer Johnson’s business classic —reimagined for today’s dental practice owners Your clinical skills didn’t shrink your schedule.Your patients didn’t disappear because of the economy.They followed someone willing to adapt while you clung to what used to work. Let me rip the Band-Aid off. This isn’t going … Read more

Psychology of the dental chair: Rewriting the dental experience

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We’re entering a bold new era of healthcare—one shaped by personalized medicine, preventative care, and a more integrative understanding of the body and mind. And at the heart of this evolution is something long overlooked: oral health. Once seen as separate from the rest of the body, it’s now recognized as a cornerstone of lifelong … Read more

Are you the Netflix of dentistry—or the next Blockbuster?

Using a television remote control with dedicated Netflix button, TV in the background.

The real reason your practice isn’t growing? Fear masquerading as caution. Businesses don’t collapse in a single moment—they erode by clinging to what once worked. Blockbuster didn’t die because of competition. It died because it stayed the same while the world changed. Blockbuster is a case study in denial. And here’s the hard truth: some … Read more

Canada’s 2025 federal election: What dentists need to know

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The recent federal election in Canada resulted in a Liberal minority government under Prime Minister Mark Carney. For Canadian dental professionals—including dentists, practice owners, and industry executives—this political shift brings significant implications that require careful consideration. Understanding how these policy changes will influence the dental sector is essential for strategic business and financial planning. Economic … Read more

From childhood friends to dental founders: The story behind Olive & Ivory

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Office Space: Olive & Ivory Dental Studio The why: Background story In the heart of Sherwood Park, a growing suburb of Edmonton, Alberta, a high-tech dental practice with style and soul has recently opened. Olive & Ivory Dental Studio is the creation of Dr. Jehan Nanji and her husband, Aly Remtulla. Their story began in the … Read more

Managing work-relationship balance in high-stress practices

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Whether you’re a general dentist, hygienist, assistant, or specialist, the dentistry profession often requires long hours and emotional investment. While the rewards of the profession can be great, the high-stress nature of dental practice can leave little energy for the people you care about most. Over time it can quietly take a toll on relationships … Read more

If they can compare you, they can replace you

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Why most dentists have become a commodity in an economy where patients shop for dental care using their own system for buying I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that absolutely nothing has changed in how dentists market to attract new patients to their practices. The patients who pay, stay and refer. You … Read more

Dentist’s contract review – What to watch for! | Weekly Wisdom

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Before you sign your long and complicated associate contract, there are a few things you should look out for. Sana Arshad, CEO and Founder of ADC CPA, shares this list and her tips for contract reviews. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!

The science of smart investing: Why passive investing beats active

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Why smart dentists invest in index funds, not individual stocks As a dentist, your expertise is in patient care, not picking stocks. Yet many professionals are lured into the world of active investing, believing they can outperform the market by selecting the right stocks or timing their trades. The reality? Even the world’s top investors … Read more

Office Space: Lawen Dentistry

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The why: Background story Dr. T. Daniel Lawen’s interest in healthcare began during a conversation with his older brother who was considering a career path in dentistry. His brother ultimately decided to follow traditions into their family’s real-estate development company. However, the idea of becoming a dentist stuck with Dr. Lawen as he enthusiastically pursued that … Read more

Lamentable lunacy: The case against fluoride in drinking water

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Over the last 50 years, the benefits of fluoride have been established without question. Now, however, its efficacy has come into question by the appointed head of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has no background in the health sciences. In fact, he has opposed vaccinations, such as the measles vaccine, so … Read more

What dentists never admit to their spouses (or even to themselves)

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This report was inspired by the ideas and thinking of Bill Perkins—hedge fund manager, world-class poker player, asymmetric thinker, and entrepreneur worth hundreds of millions. Summary Most dentists will work themselves into the ground and have almost nothing to show for it—because they never fix the real problem. They play small, they move slow, and … Read more

The real question: Will AI-using dentists replace those who don’t?

"Let’s be clear: This isn’t about robots taking over your practice," writes Julia Michelin.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing dentistry, moving from curiosity to clinical necessity. We’ve talked about digital workflows, imaging tech, and paperless systems for years. But what’s coming next is not incremental. It’s exponential. To fully grasp what this means, we need to revisit the foundations. AI, in its broadest sense, refers to the idea … Read more