#18 - From Spreadsheets to Scalability: Eric Rice on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Dental Operations

In this episode of Dental Tech Talks, we sit down with Eric Rice, COO of Hawaii Smile Designs, to explore how financial thinking, AI, and smart operations are reshaping the orthodontic experience. From implementing real-time KPI tracking and cloud-based systems to launching a custom whitening brand that’s driving passive revenue, Eric walks us through the playbook he’s using to scale across Hawaii’s islands. We dive into culture-building, revenue cycle management, and why missed calls might be your biggest leak. Whether you’re running a solo practice or managing multiple locations, this episode offers a data-driven look at what modern dental ops should look like and where they’re going.