Synthetic Intelligence is accelerating alternate throughout industries, influencing how other folks paintings, how companies develop, and the way selections get made. With its speedy development, AI is inflicting disruption—for higher or worse—in each and every box in the market. Whilst it guarantees potency and expansion, it additionally brings demanding situations and uncertainties that dental pros and companies will have to deal with. What can dental fortify organizations (DSOs) and dental teams do to stick forward as AI reshapes their {industry}?
This interview with Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, firstly seemed in Authority Mag as a part of their ongoing collection on AI disruption. Giesecke brings a cross-industry point of view to the dialog, having transitioned from engineering and infrastructure to main a cloud-based dental instrument corporate serving DSOs and dental teams throughout North The usa.
Development a Industry with Objective and Innovation
Q: Thanks such a lot for becoming a member of us on this interview collection. Ahead of we dive into our dialogue our readers would like to “get to grasp you” somewhat higher. Are you able to percentage with us the backstory about what introduced you for your particular profession trail?
A: My trail to changing into CEO of Planet DDS used to be a ways from linear, however I’ve come to peer that as considered one of my largest strengths.
I began out with a point in engineering, considering I’d stick with a extra conventional technical profession trail. However early on, I spotted that whilst I liked the problem-solving facet of engineering, what actually energized me used to be main groups, using alternate, and construction one thing significant from the bottom up.
That realization took me to the development {industry}, the place I had the risk to paintings on large-scale infrastructure initiatives in puts like Afghanistan and Egypt. I used to be in my twenties, managing initiatives well past my enjoy stage on the time, however I liked it. The ones years taught me so much about management, resilience, and the have an effect on of taking possession.
After that bankruptcy, I pursued an MBA and used to be interested in entrepreneurship throughout the seek fund type. I obtained a bottleless water cooler corporate, grew it considerably, and ultimately offered it in 2017. This enjoy used to be my first hands-on function working a industry and showed for me that I sought after to stay construction firms, now not simply advising or making an investment in them.
That’s when a former industry college colleague and I got here throughout Planet DDS. On the time, neither people had enjoy in dentistry or instrument, however we noticed immense doable within the corporate. It had a cast product and dependable buyer base, nevertheless it used to be early in its expansion trajectory. We believed that with strategic funding, a focal point on innovation, and the suitable management, it would scale into one thing a lot larger.
Rapid ahead to these days, Planet DDS now serves over part of the highest DSOs within the nation, hosts probably the most greatest dental databases on the planet, and continues to play a key function in modernizing dental care via cloud-based answers and AI. I can have began my profession considering I’d be fixing engineering issues, however I’ve discovered that serving to companies develop, evolve, and serve their shoppers higher is the problem I used to be actually intended to tackle.
What Units Planet DDS Aside
Q: What do you assume makes your corporate stand out? Are you able to percentage a tale?
A: What actually units Planet DDS aside is our tradition and our dedication to significant innovation—and the 2 are deeply attached.
From day one, we’ve prioritized construction a tradition grounded in collaboration, duty, authenticity, empathy, and trustworthiness. As we’ve grown, each organically and thru acquisitions, we’ve labored exhausting to keep that basis. Our group operates with a robust sense of self-accountability, and with out the purple tape that regularly slows higher organizations. Everyone seems to be empowered to make selections, take initiative, and collaborate throughout purposes.
This tradition doesn’t simply make Planet DDS an excellent spot to paintings; it’s additionally a key motive force of our innovation. One instance of that is the release of DentalOS™, a platform we constructed to deal with a well-liked ache level within the {industry}: old-fashioned, fragmented dental instrument programs. DentalOS is designed to be the running gadget for the trendy dental team. It lets in practices to customise their tech stack, combine best-in-class equipment by way of open APIs, and future-proof their operations, very similar to how iOS revolutionized the smartphone {industry}. Each and every new product we release or innovation we make delivers function and have an effect on.
We’ve additionally made it a concern to pair product innovation with insights that carry all of the {industry}. Previous this yr, we launched the 2025 Dental Business Outlook Document, leveraging records from 3,400 dental practices to spot the developments, applied sciences, and techniques shaping the long run. From AI-driven income cycle control (RCM) equipment to staffing developments and affected person enjoy insights, the document is a go-to useful resource for DSOs and team practices navigating a replacing {industry}.
However in all probability what I’m maximum pleased with is that we don’t view good fortune only in the case of industry metrics. We see it within the have an effect on we’ve on our other folks, our shoppers, and in the end, on sufferers. At Planet DDS, our challenge is discreet: Dental instrument is damaged, and we goal to mend it. We’re doing that through serving to practices transfer past old-fashioned programs and equipping them with a contemporary, cloud-based platform that in fact scales with their expansion. And whilst generation performs a large function in that, it’s the folk in the back of the platform who carry that challenge to lifestyles. That stability of tradition, innovation, challenge, and execution is what makes Planet DDS stand out.
Main Via Values and Actual-Global Revel in
Q: You’re a a hit industry chief. Which 3 persona characteristics do you assume had been maximum instrumental for your good fortune? Are you able to please percentage a tale or instance for every?
A: Having a look again on my adventure, 3 qualities were particularly significant in shaping how I lead: willingness to do the paintings, humility, and authenticity. Those aren’t buzzwords, they’re values I’ve attempted to reside through each and every step of the best way:
1. Willingness to do the paintings
I’ve at all times believed that management begins through getting within the trenches. I had a vital quantity of accountability early in my profession, overseeing large-scale development initiatives in Afghanistan and Egypt. Those reviews taught me to lean in, pay attention moderately, and lead through instance.
That very same mindset carried over once I entered the dental instrument house. This used to be an {industry} I had no prior enjoy in, so I didn’t think I had all of the solutions. As a substitute, I frolicked chatting with staff, sitting in on group coaching classes, and finding out the internal workings of ways our instrument used to be used each day. That hands-on manner assisted in shaping a few of our maximum essential product and repair selections, and, extra importantly, constructed consider with our group and our shoppers.
2. Humility
While you’re construction one thing as a group, there’s no room for ego. I’m pleased with what we’ve completed at Planet DDS, however none of it could were imaginable with out the willpower and skill of the folk round me.
One of the most splendid issues we’ve finished as an organization is develop via acquisition with out dropping our cultural core. That’s simplest imaginable when leaders are keen to step again and say, “We don’t have all of it found out. What are we able to be told from you?” I’ve discovered that among the finest leaders are those who shine a gentle on others, now not themselves. While you lead with humility, you free up higher concepts, deeper relationships, and a much more resilient industry.
3. Authenticity
Folks can inform while you’re hanging on a entrance. I’ve at all times believed that management is maximum tough when it’s genuine. That implies being truthful when one thing’s exhausting, transparent when making selections, and true for your values even if it’s inconvenient.
Whether or not I’m chatting with our group, our shoppers, or {industry} companions, I attempt to display up as the similar individual each and every time. Take a look at being constant, clear, and devoted as an alternative of simply being polished. That authenticity is what builds long-term credibility and helps to keep other folks aligned and engaged, even if the trail ahead isn’t simple.
How AI Is Converting the Dental Business
Q: Let’s now transfer to the primary level of our dialogue about AI. Are you able to provide an explanation for how AI is disrupting your {industry}? Is that this disruption hurting or serving to your base line?
A: AI is basically reshaping the dental {industry}, and I’d argue it’s doing so in one of the best ways imaginable. At Planet DDS, we see AI now not as a disruption to be feared however as an impressive enabler of higher care, larger potency, and smarter industry operations. The have an effect on is being felt maximum obviously in two spaces: diagnostics and workflow automation.
At the diagnostics entrance, AI is raising dental imaging through turning it right into a extra clever, real-time software for decision-making. Our Apteryx imaging instrument performs a key function right here. As a cloud-based platform, it allows clinicians to get entry to and evaluation affected person pictures from any place, percentage them throughout practices, and, importantly, combine seamlessly with AI-powered imaging answers like Overjet, Pearl, and VideaHealth.
Those integrations empower dental groups with medical resolution fortify that complements diagnostic accuracy and consistency. AI equipment robotically discover pathologies in radiographs and supply context to steer remedy suggestions. This doesn’t exchange the dentist’s judgment—it helps it—providing an added layer of self assurance and serving to to construct affected person consider via transparency and precision.
Similarly essential is what’s taking place in the back of the scenes with workflow automation. Administrative complexity is without doubt one of the greatest burdens in dentistry these days. From insurance coverage verification to claims submission to scheduling, personnel are crushed through time-consuming guide duties. AI is beginning to elevate that burden, automating regimen processes, making improvements to accuracy, and liberating up group individuals to concentrate on affected person care.
At Planet DDS, we’re embedding AI into our dental apply control platforms to make those duties smarter and extra environment friendly, whether or not it’s via computerized reminders, predictive scheduling, or streamlined RCM equipment that cut back declare denials.
So, is AI disrupting our {industry}? Completely, nevertheless it’s a good disruption. It’s serving to practices run extra successfully, fortify care supply, and stay aggressive in an more and more complicated surroundings. And for us, it’s now not hurting the base line, it’s strengthening it. Via aligning our generation roadmap with the transferring wishes of dental pros and sufferers, we’re concurrently developing extra price for our shoppers and construction a more potent, extra resilient industry within the procedure.
Raising Diagnostics with AI-Powered Imaging
A: Which particular AI generation has had probably the most vital have an effect on for your {industry}?
AI-powered imaging has had a game-changing have an effect on on dentistry, particularly in terms of expanding diagnostic self assurance and making improvements to affected person figuring out. It’s taken what used to be as soon as a subjective procedure—deciphering X-rays—and made it extra constant, visible, and data-driven.
Nowadays’s AI equipment can spotlight decay, bone loss, and different abnormalities at once at the symbol, giving suppliers clearer insights and providing sufferers a visible rationalization that builds consider. One of the most greatest benefits is that AI persistently catches delicate adjustments and early signs that even skilled clinicians might omit, particularly in busy, high-volume practices. Those are regularly the types of main points that may make the adaptation between early intervention and extra complicated remedy in a while.
That readability is essential in a box the place consider drives results. Case acceptance these days averages 57% throughout practices, leaving vital room for development. AI doesn’t simply reinforce diagnostics, it is helping practices shut that hole through construction affected person self assurance and lengthening buy-in.
We’ve invested closely in making this generation available via our Apteryx® platform, which integrates with main AI equipment. Practices the usage of those programs document upper case acceptance and less neglected cavities on bitewings, proving that smarter imaging can fortify each medical care and industry efficiency.
Spotting the Turning Level for AI
Q: Are you able to percentage a pivotal second while you known the profound have an effect on AI would have for your sector?
A: For a very long time, dentistry has been sluggish to undertake complicated applied sciences like AI. In comparison to different industries, it’s been a tech laggard, closely reliant on legacy programs and hesitant to modify. However the second it clicked for me that AI may just actually grow to be the field used to be once we noticed how collaboration throughout firms, via open APIs and shared platforms, may just make adoption seamless.
One instance is the advance of DentalOS™, our cloud-based platform designed to combine best-in-class equipment via an open ecosystem. With DentalOS, AI equipment can plug at once into a convention’s workflow, without having to overtake their whole gadget. That flexibility is essential. It approach AI may also be layered on most sensible of present infrastructure to resolve genuine issues, from diagnostics to affected person conversation, with out including friction. It used to be in construction DentalOS and observing those partnerships come to lifestyles that I spotted AI wasn’t simply hype and that it had the prospective to redefine potency, scalability, and affected person care around the dental panorama.
However there’s nonetheless paintings to do. No longer each and every apply is there but, and the {industry} nonetheless has some catching up (and convincing) to do. However the basis has been laid, and AI is readily changing into much less of a “great to have” and extra of a aggressive necessity.
Making ready Groups for Sensible AI Adoption
Q: How are you making ready your group of workers for the mixing of AI, and what abilities do you consider shall be most dear in an AI-enhanced destiny?
A: Making ready our group of workers for AI isn’t almost about instructing other folks the right way to use new equipment; it’s about construction self assurance, readability, and buy-in. That begins with ensuring our group understands now not simply what the generation does, however why it issues and the way it could make their paintings extra impactful and environment friendly.
At Planet DDS, we take a continuing coaching manner, slightly than a one-time rollout. We offer hands-on onboarding, real-world use circumstances, and ongoing fortify so groups really feel empowered, now not crushed. We additionally be sure you body AI as a fortify gadget, now not a alternative, which is helping group individuals in any respect ranges see the way it can cut back repetitive duties, decrease mistakes, and in the end fortify the enjoy for each personnel and sufferers.
As for the talents that topic maximum in an AI-enhanced destiny, I consider adaptability, virtual fluency, and cross-functional collaboration are key. The tempo of alternate will simplest boost up, and probably the most treasured staff shall be those that can evolve with it and are relaxed finding out new programs, asking the suitable questions, and dealing throughout groups to attach insights from each tech and human views. AI is an ongoing transformation. Our process as leaders is to create a tradition the place persons are supported via that evolution and desirous about the probabilities it brings.
Tackling Resistance and Remaining Talent Gaps
Q: What are the most important demanding situations in upskilling your group of workers for an AI-centric destiny?
A: One of the most greatest demanding situations is human, now not technical, and that’s overcoming the herbal resistance to modify. AI can really feel intimidating, particularly in industries like dentistry the place workflows were solid for many years. Folks surprise, Will this exchange me? Will I wish to relearn the whole lot I do know? So a large a part of upskilling helps groups transfer from hesitation to interest and, in the end, to self assurance.
Every other problem is assembly other folks the place they’re. No longer each and every worker is available in with the similar stage of convenience round new applied sciences. You will have group individuals who’re naturally tech-savvy and excited to dive in, and others who want extra context and hands-on time. That’s why center of attention on making AI coaching available, related, and role-specific is essential so it’s now not simply concept, however one thing they are able to use of their day by day paintings.
We additionally wish to ensure that AI upskilling remains aligned with our broader industry objectives. If staff see AI coaching as a separate initiative as an alternative of a device that is helping them paintings smarter, it gained’t stick. Attempt to attach the dots obviously: Right here’s how this software is helping cut back declare mistakes, right here’s the way it offers sufferers clearer visuals, and right here’s the way it frees up time to concentrate on care. And, like I stated up to now, AI is evolving temporarily, because of this upskilling can’t be a one-and-done effort. The educational curve helps to keep transferring, and so does the tech. That’s a problem but additionally a possibility. It pushes us to construct a tradition the place finding out is ongoing, and the place staying on top of things isn’t simply inspired however anticipated.
Finally, the most important problem could also be the most important praise: serving to other folks develop along new generation. As a result of when that occurs, each the group of workers and the dental industry turn out to be extra resilient, extra environment friendly, and extra future-ready.
Development Consider Via Moral AI
Q: What moral issues does AI introduce into your {industry}, and the way are you tackling those issues?
A: Information privateness, safety, and regulatory compliance are completely essential within the dental {industry}. Any AI resolution dealing with affected person knowledge will have to meet the best possible requirements for safeguarding that records.
At Planet DDS, we take that accountability significantly. We’re proud to be the primary dental apply control resolution supplier to succeed in SOC 2 Kind II certification throughout all of our merchandise and group huge, which displays our rigorous technique to safety, availability, and privateness. That’s along with keeping up complete HIPAA compliance throughout our platform and dealing simplest with companions who meet the similar requirements.
In the end, AI in healthcare will have to be constructed on consider. Via prioritizing moral records practices and transparency, we make sure that AI complements, now not compromises, that consider for each suppliers and sufferers.
5 Methods for Embracing AI in Dentistry
Q: What are 5 issues you want to do as AI is disrupting your {industry}? If you’ll, please percentage a tale or an instance for every.
1. Prioritize AI that solves genuine issues.
Center of attention on equipment that power tangible effects, whether or not it’s making improvements to diagnostic accuracy, streamlining workflows, or improving affected person conversation.
2. Spend money on coaching and alter control.
adoption gained’t be triumphant with out interior buy-in. Equip your groups with sensible coaching and display them how those equipment will make their day by day paintings more uncomplicated, now not more difficult.
3. Make the most of open APIs and make sure seamless integration.
AI shouldn’t disrupt present workflows; it must reinforce them. That’s why we constructed DentalOS™ as an open platform so practices can plug within the equipment that paintings splendid for them with out being locked right into a unmarried dealer or pressured to overtake their whole tech stack. This adaptability empowers them to develop and scale within the ways in which take advantage of sense for his or her distinctive wishes.
4. Cope with moral and information privateness issues proactively
In healthcare, records coverage is very important. We’ve prioritized HIPAA compliance and completed SOC 2 Kind II certification to make sure our AI-powered equipment meet the best possible requirements of consider and safety.
5. Keep agile and stay evolving
AI is advancing rapid. Stay paying attention to your shoppers, keep versatile for your manner, and be waiting to iterate. The actual price of AI comes from often adapting to fulfill the wishes of your {industry}.
Debunking AI Misconceptions in Medical Care
Q: What are the most typical misconceptions about AI inside of your {industry}, and the way do you deal with them?
A: One of the most greatest misconceptions is that AI is right here to interchange human decision-making, particularly in medical settings. If truth be told, AI in dentistry is designed to fortify and reinforce the experience of suppliers, now not exchange it.
For instance, AI-powered imaging equipment can discover indicators of degradation or bone loss with spectacular accuracy, however they don’t make the prognosis or make a decision on a remedy plan. That’s nonetheless within the fingers of the dentist. What AI does is upload a layer of consistency, pace, and visibility, serving to clinicians really feel extra assured and sufferers really feel extra knowledgeable.
We attempt to deal with this head-on through being clear with our groups and our shoppers: AI is a collaborative software, now not a danger. When framed that approach, it turns into a lot more uncomplicated to peer its price in making improvements to results and construction consider with out compromising the human component that defines nice care.
AI Disruption as an Alternative
Q: Are you able to please give us your favourite lifestyles lesson quote? Do you might have a tale about how that used to be related for your lifestyles?
A: One concept that’s in reality formed how I feel as a pacesetter comes from The Innovator’s Predicament through Clayton Christensen: “Disruptive generation must be framed as a possibility, now not a danger.”
That mindset has caught with me, particularly main an organization in an {industry} like dentistry, the place innovation doesn’t at all times come simply. After we obtained Planet DDS, the {industry} used to be nonetheless very a lot tied to legacy programs. However we noticed that as an opportunity to do issues otherwise, whether or not that intended embracing the cloud early on or integrating AI in ways in which fortify care and cut back complexity.
I’ve discovered that as a pacesetter, you must be keen to problem the established order and assist your group see that adjust, even disruptive alternate, could be a catalyst for expansion. That lesson has guided me in the whole lot from construction DentalOS to forming partnerships with AI innovators. It’s now not at all times simple, nevertheless it’s nearly at all times price it.
Balancing Velocity, Technique, and Objective
Q: Off-topic, however I’m curious. As any person guidance the send, what ideas or issues regularly stay you wakeful at night time? How do the ones ideas affect your day by day decision-making procedure?
A: What helps to keep me up at night time is ensuring we’re shifting rapid sufficient to stick forward with out dropping sight of our other folks and our function. The tempo of alternate in generation, particularly with AI, is accelerating, and I’m repeatedly occupied with how we will develop whilst nonetheless staying grounded in who we’re and the worth we carry to our shoppers.
That stability between innovation and intentionality influences how I lead. It pushes me to invite whether or not we’re construction for the long run, whether or not our groups really feel supported via alternate, and whether or not we’re actually serving to practices ship higher care. The ones are the questions that information my decision-making on a daily basis.
Using Get admission to and Affect Via Smarter Gear
Q: You’re a individual of serious affect. If it is advisable to get started a motion that might carry probably the most quantity of fine to probably the most quantity of other folks, what would that be? You by no means know what your concept can cause.
A: If I may just get started a motion, it could center of attention on making dental care extra available. Oral well being is a key a part of total well being, but thousands and thousands of other folks nonetheless fight to get the care they want, regularly because of price, location, or loss of follow-through.
Our 2025 Dental Business Outlook Document highlights the distance. Whilst many sufferers are recognized and offered with remedy plans, simplest 57% settle for that remedy and simply 42% whole it. Just about 8% don’t display up for appointments in any respect, and simplest six out of ten go back for normal hygiene visits inside of a yr. Those numbers inform a larger tale concerning the limitations sufferers face, and so they underscore the chance we’ve as an {industry} to do higher.
Era gained’t remedy get entry to by itself, however it could possibly assist. At Planet DDS, we’re operating to equip practices with cloud-based platforms, AI-powered diagnostics, and equipment that cut back administrative burden and assist suppliers ship care extra successfully. If we will assist practices scale smarter and reinvest of their communities, we will begin to shut the distance and produce higher oral well being inside of succeed in for extra other folks.
Empower Dental Care Via AI
As Eric Giesecke explains, AI is reshaping how dental organizations manner diagnostics, day by day operations, and group of workers building. The chance for DSOs and dental teams lies in adopting equipment that fortify efficiency whilst maintaining the core values of care, consider, and tradition. When carried out with goal, AI can improve each and every a part of the group, from generation and programs to affected person enjoy and group engagement.
Touch Planet DDS to be told how our dental apply control and AI answers can fortify your subsequent segment of expansion.
