Is AI Being Overhyped? How Dental Practices Can Actually Use It Today
Release Date: 05/09/2025
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Unlocking the Power of Hygiene: Empowering Leadership, Elevating Operations and Driving Practice Success
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Clinical Records Present Criminal Records
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What if one missing note in your chart could cost you your license—or even your freedom? That’s not a scare tactic—it’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Dr. Roy Shelburne. A respected dentist turned federal inmate, Roy learned the hard way that poor documentation and billing practices can destroy even the most well-intentioned practice. Now, he's using his story to help others protect what they’ve built—and to ensure no one else has to go through what he did. If you're running a dental practice and think documentation is just a formality, think again. This episode is a...
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Your dental practice is only as strong as the people behind it—and if you're not shaping your culture with intention, someone else is. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to create a happy, high-performing team that grows your practice from the inside out. To help us reframe how we approach leadership and growth, I’m joined by Bianca Dornan, founder of Practices Made Perfect. With 20+ years of in-the-trenches consulting experience and a hands-on approach that’s reshaped practices across North America, Bianca brings rare clarity to the chaos many dental teams face. We cover...
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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by insurance red tape, staffing headaches, or the pressure to be a “do-it-all” practice—this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Tejas Patel, a leading cosmetic dentist whose journey from multi-location burnout to solo, specialized success is one every dentist should hear. With over 2 million TikTok followers and a fully cosmetic boutique practice in Austin, Texas, Dr. Patel has redefined what’s possible when you combine smart systems, social media, and staying true to your passion. We talk about everything from patient...
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If you’re worried that modern dentistry is trading principles for profit, you’re not alone. But today’s episode might just give you the confidence and clarity to do things differently. Dentistry is changing—and not always for the better. In this compelling episode, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dr. Ed Feinberg, a crown-and-bridge expert and educator with over four decades of hands-on clinical experience. Ed was mentored by his father, a pioneer in full-mouth reconstruction, and today he carries on that legacy by helping dental professionals understand why foundational skills still matter in an...
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Is AI Being Overhyped? How Dental Practices Can Actually Use It Today
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If you're feeling overwhelmed trying to balance patient care while navigating all the buzz about AI in dentistry, you're not alone. But today's episode will help clear the confusion and show you how to use AI to your advantage—starting now. To break it down, I’ve invited Conner Ludlow, founder of Annie, an AI platform that builds virtual front desk assistants for dental practices. With a background as a software engineer and tech leader, Conner knows exactly where AI is truly helpful—and where the hype gets a little too loud. In this episode, we explore the real-world uses of AI for...
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Hygiene 2025 and Beyond – Profitable. Productive. Aligned.
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What if the key to transforming your entire practice isn’t a new procedure—but a reimagined hygiene department? In this powerful episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau is joined by Rachel Wall, founder and CEO of Inspired Hygiene, to explore how dental practices can heal old rifts, boost team synergy, and build a more profitable, empowered hygiene department. Rachel shares her insights from over 30 years in the industry and breaks down why 2025 is the perfect time to invest in your hygiene team. From integrating new technology to creating solid communication frameworks, this...
info_outlineIf you're feeling overwhelmed trying to balance patient care while navigating all the buzz about AI in dentistry, you're not alone. But today's episode will help clear the confusion and show you how to use AI to your advantage—starting now.
To break it down, I’ve invited Conner Ludlow, founder of Annie, an AI platform that builds virtual front desk assistants for dental practices. With a background as a software engineer and tech leader, Conner knows exactly where AI is truly helpful—and where the hype gets a little too loud.
In this episode, we explore the real-world uses of AI for dentists today (without needing expensive software), what "AI hallucinations" mean for your practice, and how tools like Annie can stretch your operational dollars without replacing your team. It's a must-listen if you want practical strategies to make technology work for you—not against you.
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AI is a tool, not a silver bullet: It can boost efficiency but still needs human oversight to represent your practice properly.
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Real-world wins with AI: Practices can save time with AI-generated blogs, better market research, and virtual front desk agents like Annie.
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Customization is key: The most successful use of AI in a dental office feels personalized—not robotic—thanks to intentional setup and continuous fine-tuning.
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Soundbites
"Our goal is not to replace humans, but to help offices stretch their operational dollars and make sure that they have backup and help to never miss opportunities and make sure that they're capturing all of their revenue potential."– Conner Ludlow
"AI is really just a new tool that can help practices and business owners and everybody be more effective in their job."– Conner Ludlow
"We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect of the technology in the long run."— Conner Ludlow
"Annie is not here to replace a full-time employee—it's a helper. When you bring it into your office, make sure your front desk team knows it’s there to make their job easier, not replace them. It’s about simplifying their work, not taking it away."-Dr. Len Tau
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Keywords:
dental AI, dental marketing, front desk automation, dental practice growth, artificial intelligence in dentistry, dental staffing solutions, AI for dentists, AI overhype, Annie AI, dental office management, chatbot dentistry, ChatGPT dental uses
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Key Takeaways
01:40 Introduction to AI in Dentistry
04:04 Understanding AI: Hype vs. Reality
07:03 Practical Applications of AI in Dental Practices
09:13 The Role of AI in Marketing and Content Creation
13:20 AI's Limitations and Challenges
17:04 The Future of AI in Dentistry
23:50 Annie: The AI Assistant for Dental Practices
31:06 Conclusion and Call to Action
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Connect with Conner
Want to learn more about how Annie can help your dental practice thrive with AI?
✅ Visit helloannie.com to schedule a demo.
✅ Mention you heard about Annie on the Raving Patients Podcast to get an exclusive discount — half off your setup fee plus savings on your monthly dues!
✅ Explore Annie’s AI tools and see how you can streamline your front desk without replacing your valuable team.
Follow Conner and Annie for the latest updates:
🔹 Website: https://helloannie.com/
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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.
This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.
This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here.
Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!