S3 E3: AI & Tech Integration in Dentistry: From Shiny Object to Standard of Care

In this Inspired Hygiene Podcast episode, host Rachel Wall sits down with Alicia Maria, RDH (Hands-On Demand; Regional Dental Hygiene Coach at Dental Care Alliance) and Laura Nelson (Founder, Front Office Rocks; VP of AI at Mango Voice; author of Brush Up on AI) to show how practices move beyond dabbling and truly integrate AI and technology—clinically and operationally—to thrive in 2026 and beyond! Learn the “why,” the workflow, and the team calibration that turn tools into outcomes: better diagnosis and documentation, clearer patient communication, stronger case acceptance, and less back-office chaos. What you’ll learn How to define and align a Standard of Care so AI enhances (not confuses) diagnosis and perio protocols Practical ways AI supports radiographic analysis, documentation, and insurance narratives—with human oversight Scanning that sells itself: patient-facing engagement using intraoral scanners, OHS, and simulators Front-office wins: call summaries, coverage checks, and task automation that give time back to the team Implementation pitfalls (and fixes): training, calibration, and “what does this replace?” How embracing AI elevates team skills and future-proofs your career Take action Pick one clinical and one front-office workflow to optimize with AI. Document “what it replaces” + success metrics; test for 30 days. Train the team, calibrate language, and update your Standard of Care. Download the Inspired Hygiene Standard of Care Worksheet here: https://inspiredhygiene.com/standard-of-care-worksheet/  Connect with our guests:  Laura Nelson, https://lauranelsonspeaks.com/ Laura’s book, Brush Up on Ai, - https://a.co/d/cVx4f8b  Alicia Murria, https://aliciamurria.com/  If this was helpful, subscribe, hit the 🔔, and tell us in the comments which workflow you’ll integrate first. — Disclaimer: AI augments—not replaces—clinical judgment and patient-specific decisions. #DentalHygiene #DentalAI #PracticeManagement #IntraoralScanning #RadiographyAI #DentalTeam #CaseAcceptance #DentalLeadership #HygieneGrowth #DSO