Many industry insiders believe dentistry is ripe for disruption. However, for some forward-thinking practitioners, that future is already here. Advanced technologies such as intraoral scanners and artificial intelligence (AI) aren’t just reshaping the field; they’re becoming trusted partners – assisting in diagnostics, treatment planning and communication. With AR/VR, patient education is taken to new levels, allowing people to visualise treatments before they start. Digital orthodontics now delivers highly personalised and data-driven treatment plans, setting a high bar for effective, tailored results. Meanwhile, laser technology offers non-invasive procedures, whilst 3D printing allows for crafting precise implants and aligners on-site, speeding up treatments and dramatically reducing costs.
Last year, Perceptive achieved a world first with a fully automated robotic dental procedure and recently launched an advanced in-vivo 3D intraoral OCT imaging system, setting new diagnostic standards. Meanwhile, the University of the Pacific’s Dugoni School of Dentistry is partnering with OraQ to explore AI's role in enhancing clinical decisions and treatment consistency. OraQ’s founder, Amreesh Khanna, believes that incorporating AI support will play a major role in the future of patient care, and that utilising AI technology ethically to drive precision care will allow for optimal outcomes.
The possibilities seem endless, with innovations transforming dentistry to deliver faster, safer and more precise care than ever. But what does this mean for today’s practices, and what might the future hold?
George Cheetham (pictured), a restorative dentist with multidisciplinary practices in London’s Wimbledon Village, Parsons Green and Wandsworth, has already embraced a fully digital workflow with impressive results. With Ridgway Dental in Wimbledon already under his belt, he was joined by former private equity executive Mark Brown in 2021 to launch Fulham Road Dental (FRD). The clinic scooped Best New Private Practice at the Private Dentistry Awards only a few months after opening. A boutique dental practice, it offers a fully digital patient experience.
George’s clinical focus and entrepreneurial flair dovetail perfectly to empower him to face the challenges of a rapidly changing dental landscape head-on. As co-owner of three practices and a dental lab, his experience gives him a unique perspective of what lies on the horizon.
“Technology is significantly transforming our approach to emerging trends and techniques,” he says. “Modern technology providers in most industries understand that users prioritise both a positive experience and efficient equipment. These elements now often go hand in hand. Many patients lead busy lives and don’t wish to wait long for diagnoses and treatments. When a practice integrates new digital technologies, diagnostics are often instant, and it’s now much easier to communicate patient issues – whether by displaying images on a large screen or emailing them. A clinic that has adopted new technologies can bring a patient in for an initial examination and, within an hour, provide a highly detailed treatment plan that would have previously taken weeks.”
Continuous training is essential to keep his team up-to-date with evolving technologies, enabling them to deliver the full benefits of a digitalised practice to their patients.
“The health of our patients and staff is the number one priority in our clinics, which is why it’s imperative to take training seriously when incorporating new tech. Guidance by governing bodies like the CQC is set out for a reason. One of the CQC-regulated activities is diagnostic and screening procedures, which cover radiography. Regulations set out by the CQC help ensure safe care for everyone and regulate premises and equipment. Using this equipment effectively takes a team approach, from the people working in the clinic, like dentists and support staff, to team members who visit the clinic more irregularly, like the radiation advisers and engineers. We’re fortunate that much of today’s technology is designed to be intuitive with integrated safety features, making it easier and safer for everyone,” he says.
For George, the intraoral scanner is an indispensable tool. He explains, “It makes the workflow more efficient since digital impressions are quicker, cleaner, and more precise than traditional methods. Intraoral scanning also enhances the patient experience by allowing us to quickly capture a digital scan of a patient’s mouth, facilitating clear communication about their issues and significantly improving their experience.”
Fulham Road Dental recently updated its equipment to a VistaScan Mini View 2.0, enhancing the practice’s diagnostic precision. George says, “I love my Vistascan mini version 1, and I mainly wanted another one because we have more dental chairs in use. The VistaScan Mini View 2 was out, so I thought I would buy the newest tech, which I don’t regret. I’ve been impressed by the detail of the new radiographs, which help show even the tiniest issue in a patient’s mouth. The touchscreen is very intuitive, and overall, it’s quick and easy to use. When I started practising 15 years ago, we were still hand-processing radiographs. I’m fortunate to use equipment like the Vistasan Mini View 2.0, which is worlds apart.
“The VistaScan Mini View 2.0 offers AI features like automatic image rotation and tooth numbering. George says, ‘Sometimes, you don’t realise how much of a waste of time something is until you don’t have to do it anymore. This is one of those examples – where you can save valuable seconds not trying to orientate radiographs. Another nice feature is all the radiographs line themselves up neatly with the new software rather than having to move things around and resize images.”
This new investment has positively impacted the team’s efficiency, too.
“At FRD, we offer many specialist treatments like root canal treatments and implants. Often, these treatments come with multiple radiographs at each visit, so when we have five surgeries running, we can take a lot of radiographs. Having two scanners in convenient locations means the dental nurses don’t have to walk too far to process the images, and its speed means they never have to wait long if multiple rooms are processing simultaneously.
“With many systems, if one room requests to process a radiograph, another room won’t be able to process its images until the first has completed. As dentists, we need to be very efficient in our jobs, and waiting even a few minutes can be very frustrating. The scanner’s ability to make multiple simultaneous connections helps with this issue.”
The current landscape of private dental practice in the UK presents both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. George suggests that whilst the shift from NHS to private dentistry creates new potential for patient growth, the capacity to meet this demand can be tricky.
“Scaling a private dental practice is no easy feat; it demands significant time and investment, which can be out of reach for many. Add to that the constant rise in operational costs, and it’s clear the road isn’t without its challenges,” he acknowledges. Yet, his outlook on the future of dentistry remains bright.
“Adopting advanced technology holds transformative potential, offering solutions to these hurdles. By incorporating digital intraoral scanning and digital X-ray imaging tools, dental practices can enhance efficiency, elevate patient care and streamline workflows. While challenges persist, the commitment to tech-driven innovation signals a promising future for private dental practices, allowing us to offer higher quality, more accessible care in what is, essentially, a fast-evolving new era.”