“AI in Dentistry: Friend, Foe, or Frenemy?” with Amy Wood

AI has officially clocked in at your dental practice—scheduling appointments, transcribing notes, filing claims, and occasionally causing your HIPAA officer to break into a cold sweat. Is it a time-saving genius or just a rogue intern with access to way too much patient data? In this fun and frank course, we’ll dive into the good (yes, some of it really does make life easier), the bad (like when your AI “helper” starts auto sending the wrong info), and the ugly (cue the Office for Civil Rights knocking on your digital door). With stories from real practices, a dash of “did-that-actually-happen?” anecdotes, and a few nerdy nuggets, you’ll leave knowing what tech to trust, what to treat with a 10-foot pole, and how to use AI without needing a therapist or a lawyer. By the end, you’ll be laughing, learning, and maybe even a little less afraid of your office robot overlords.

Learning Objectives
• Identify the current and emerging uses of AI in dental practice operations (non-clinical).
• Evaluate the benefits and risks of incorporating AI tools into daily workflows.
• Recognize potential HIPAA, privacy, and cybersecurity pitfalls associated with AI tools.
• Apply best practices for selecting, monitoring, and managing AI-based systems in compliance with regulations.
• Communicate AI-related changes and expectations effectively with team members to reduce resistance and confusion.