Dentrix and Dentrix Ascend Detect AI

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. For example, when using Google Maps for directions, AI is analyzing traffic patterns to adjust the route and travel time. Additionally, when unlocking a smartphone with Face ID, or when asking Alexa to turn down the music volume, AI is analyzing enormous quantities of data behind the scenes. And, while 2023 may still be the beginning of the AI revolution, it's making a powerful impact in the medical and dental fields.

In dentistry, Henry Schein One offers Dentrix and Dentrix Ascend Detect AI, powered and manufactured by VideaHealth, which effectively uses AI technology to scan x-rays for caries and bone loss. Detect AI is an all-in-one solution that helps clinicians confirm patient diagnoses, educate patients about proposed treatments, and helps improve treatment acceptance, patient care, and practice productivity.

Detect AI has made a world of difference for Dr. Jeff Henneberg, who uses it to aid in diagnosis and treatment. "The technology provides all of our doctors with a tool for discussion and consistency between one another and has increased case acceptance with our associates and their ability to educate patients,” he shared.

Simple Integration for Efficient Diagnosis

Detect AI is easy to use and integrates directly into the Dentrix and Dentrix Ascend imaging workflows. As a matter of fact, Dentrix is the first practice management system to fully integrate AI x-ray analysis technology into its platform, allowing clinicians to work without importing or exporting images manually from third-party AI solutions.

A general dentist in Maumee, OH, Dr. Brian Gar-diner enjoyed how easy it was to integrate Detect AI into his practice software. Appreciating that he does not need to constantly switch between applications, Dr. Rajul Patel added, “AI detects as soon as the images are taken,” and findings are automatically flagged on x-rays in the Dentrix patient chart.

“This is an easy-to-use interface with my current software that is more efficient than the way I traditionally view radiographs,” explained Richard Hagstrom, DDS, who said it allows him “to be more thorough and efficient.” Dr. Michelle Crews reported similar success, adding that “it makes routine checks faster.”

Zoom In, Zoom Out

As a diagnostic tool, Detect AI analyzes patient X-rays and highlights detected caries and color-coded interproximal radiographic bone level (RBL) measurements directly in the X-ray image. The Show and Hide feature also enables clinicians to view caries and interproximal RBL measurements at the same time, and it offers the ability to show or hide each individual detection or focus on specific measurements.

“This enhances my ability to diagnose and treat,” shared Dr. Henneberg.

An Instant Diagnostic Aid

With a growing patient trend toward instant gratification, any tool that can bring patients into the treatment conversation faster and easier is worth exploring.

“It instantaneously evaluates my radiographs, prompting me to take a closer look in the mouth,” explained Dr. Hagstrom. “It grabs my eye and directs me to look more closely at particular areas, and acts as a second opinion to my diagnosis.”

Detect AI leverages over a million data points to help doctors make these early, accurate diagnoses and improve patient outcomes, regardless of individual experience levels. "It's useful to help newer dentists detect carious lesions and helps hygienists with perio diagnosis," noted Dr. Patel.

Boosting Case Acceptance

With Detect AI, any areas of concern are displayed directly on the X-ray image in an easy-to-read format to help providers share diagnoses, educate patients, and explain treatment plans.

While clinicians can gain peace of mind to diagnose patients with greater confidence, they also build patients' trust and boost retention and case acceptance, as patients benefit from more minimally invasive, proactive treatments.

“It almost acts as a second opinion for patients, who aren’t just taking our word for it on decay detection,” said Dr. Crews. For Dr. Gardiner, Detect AI “helps patients see areas of decay and improves patient education.”

Detect AI serves as a second objective opinion that patients can easily see in front of them. Dr. Hagstrom said this allowed him to diagnose, treatment plan, and schedule a couple of crowns without being the bad guy. "I blamed the new AI program for finding the decay," he joked.

Elevating Patient Care

“Detect AI is an easy, seamless, afford-able adjunct to my current processes that benefits the patient and helps me become a better dentist,” said Dr. Hagstrom, and Dr. Henneberg concluded, “Detect AI has helped our practice provide the comprehensive care we strive to give.”