📝 From the Desk of Laura

When I first got into dentistry over 20 years ago, analyzing practice performance looked a whole lot different than it does today. I used to sit at the front desk with a stack of printed reports, a calculator, a ruler, and a pencil—trying to make sense of the chaos and find patterns that could help us improve.

Then came better reports inside our practice software. It helped, but let’s be honest—it still wasn’t great. You had to pull multiple reports, cross-reference them manually, and as soon as you hit "print," the data was already outdated.

Eventually, we saw a huge leap forward with tools like Dental Intel and Practice By Numbers. These systems gave us dashboards, trends, and visibility into what was really happening behind the scenes. It was (and still is) a game-changer for dental teams who want to lead with clarity.

Data should lead to action.
If a number is trending down, it should be a signal to ask why and fix it.
If it’s climbing, we need to understand what’s working so we can do more of it.

That’s the purpose of metrics—not just to watch, but to respond.
The challenge? That takes time, energy, and knowledge—three things dental teams are always running short on.

That’s why I’m so passionate about where AI can take us next.

In this edition of the newsletter, I want to open your eyes to what’s coming—where I believe AI + metrics are heading. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting close.

Imagine a world where your AI system doesn’t just report the numbers, but actually flags the ones that need your attention.
Where it can say,
🦷 “Your case acceptance dropped 14% this week—want me to show you why?”
🧠 “Hygiene reappointments are slipping—here are the patients and scripts to follow up.”
🚀 “Production is up—here’s what’s working so you can repeat it.”

That’s not a dream. That’s the direction we’re headed. And I’m sharing it now because I want you to be ready, and I want us to be the ones helping shape it.

The more we talk about what we need, the more the people building these tools can deliver solutions that actually work for real practices.

Let’s get excited. Let’s get curious.
And let’s make sure AI works for us, not the other way around.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make with data—whether it’s AI-driven or not—is keeping it locked away in leadership meetings or only bringing it out when something goes wrong.

Metrics and AI should be tools to empower your team, not intimidate them.

If you want your numbers to actually make a difference in your practice, they need to be part of your culture—not just your reports. That means including your team in the conversation early, often, and in a way that builds confidence—not stress.

When used right, AI and metrics help your team work smarter, not harder. They give context to your goals and clarity to your strategies. And when the whole team feels like they’re part of the solution?

🤝Sponsor Spotlight

Where Metrics Meet Clinical Insight

When we think of metrics in dentistry, we often think of numbers—production, case acceptance, no-shows, insurance claims. But Pearl is showing us that AI can go beyond the spreadsheet… and into the operatory.

Pearl is one of the few companies in dentistry successfully merging data-driven decision-making with clinical insight. Their platform doesn’t just help with back-office metrics—it analyzes radiographs in real time through their FDA-cleared tool, Second Opinion®.

🦷 What makes this powerful?
It means AI is no longer just counting what we did—it’s helping us make better decisions about what we should do. It supports diagnosis, improves case presentation, and gives patients a clearer understanding of their treatment needs.

But Pearl doesn’t stop there.

They also offer tools for insurance verification and data accuracy, helping practices get paid faster, more accurately, and with less team stress. It’s the kind of AI support that connects clinical, financial, and operational metrics all in one place.

✅ AI-assisted radiograph reviews
✅ Real-time diagnostic support
✅ Insurance verification
✅ Smart reporting tools that surface what matters most

If you’re ready for a metrics solution that doesn’t just live in the back office—but supports patient care, communication, and confidence at the chair—Pearl is leading the way.

🔗 Check out Pearl here and see how smarter metrics and AI can transform both sides of your practice.

2-day, live, hands-on AI workshop in San Diego, created specifically for doctors, team members, or anyone who wants to learn how to actually use AI in a dental setting. 👉 July 18 & 19

I love to have you as part of our community, and I would love your help in spreading the word! If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found it valuable, please consider sharing it with friends or colleagues who might also benefit from the content.