May 8, 2025 5 min read Archive

Metrics that matter most in dentistry

Get a taste of a TikTok trend in a new look at the intersection of social media and oral care. This week, we also look at another state's plans to ban fluoride, and the artistry of cosmetic dentistry. But first, Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, talks about some of the biggest trends in dental industry operations this year.

Kanye West and a malpractice claim. Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, are suing his former dentist. The malpractice claim alleges that the dentist facilitated unsupervised self-administration of nitrous oxide.

Dental benefits advocacy. Last month, members of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) attended more than 80 meetings with members of Congress. During the annual Advocacy in Action (AIA) event, they discussed their support for legislation impacting the dental benefits industry.

Florida says no to fluoride. Following Utah, Florida is poised to become the second state to join the fluoride ban trend. The State Senate approved a bill that would ban fluoridation of public drinking water.

Lessons in burnout. Brittany Cox, MA, RDH, shares her experience with burnout in her dental hygiene career. Burnout is common in dentistry, but practitioners can learn how to move forward and rediscover their passion.

Evaluating an AI dental platform. Second Opinion is an AI platform designed to detect caries and other conditions in dental imaging. Sonali Rathore, BDS, with the Medical University of South Carolina's James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, received an award in recognition of her work to evaluate the platform.

‘Building a system that works better for your team and your patients’

What are the biggest trends shaping the dental industry in 2025? Dental software company Planet DDS set out to answer that question in a new report that gathers insight from clinicians, DSO leaders, M&A experts and more.

Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, gave Dental Bite a taste of the findings on practice efficiencies and technology. -Carrie Pallardy

What are some of the biggest trends that stood out to you among the findings in the 2025 Dental Industry Outlook?

One of the biggest takeaways from this year’s report is just how wide the performance gap can be across key operational metrics, especially in case acceptance, patient volume and hygiene reappointment rates. That kind of variability signals both a challenge and an opportunity.

For instance, the average case acceptance rate across practices is 57%, but the distribution tells a more nuanced story. Nearly one in four practices are seeing case acceptance rates below 40%, which raises important questions about patient communication and financial accessibility.

On the flip side, there are practices achieving well above-average rates, which suggests that with the right tools, like AI-supported diagnostics or clearer treatment planning workflows, there’s real room for improvement industry-wide.

What are some of the promising prospects for dentistry? What excites you the most about the future of dentistry?

What excites me most about the future of dentistry is that we’re finally seeing some real progress in the industry, moving away from outdated legacy systems. There’s still a long road ahead in terms of broad acceptance and adoption of more modern, connected platforms, but the momentum is building, and that’s encouraging.

We’re starting to see more practices embrace open, interoperable systems that allow them to customize their tech stack, integrate AI tools and streamline workflows. These innovations aren’t just about efficiency. They’re enabling better patient care, stronger team collaboration and more scalable growth for DSOs. I believe this kind of openness and flexibility is exactly what the future of dental care depends on.

What advice do you have for practice leaders who are looking for ways to take benchmarking and translate it into actionable improvement in their practices?

Benchmarking is only valuable if it leads to action. My advice to practice leaders is to start by identifying one or two key metrics from the report that resonate with your current challenges, whether that’s case acceptance, hygiene reappointment rates or new patient volume, and use those as your baseline. Ultimately, benchmarking isn’t about chasing averages. It’s about identifying gaps, making informed changes and building a system that works better for your team and your patients.

Read the full interview on DentalBite.co

Responses above have been edited for brevity and clarity.

What dentists can learn from Burger King

What do fast food and dentistry have in common? More than you might think, according to Louis Kaufman, DDS, MBA. In an article for Dental Economics, Dr. Kaufman talks about how his time as a manager and rebuilding specialist for Burger King taught him to build a great team. Those lessons translated to his nearly three decades in practice as a dentist.

Why it matters: Dentistry has plenty of unique challenges, but it is still a people business that requires strong teamwork. Taking lessons from other industries and other people's experiences can help dentists cultivate the skills to build their teams. (Dental Economics)

Tackling TikTok trends in oral care

The latest TikTok trend in oral care? TheraBreath. Dentistry Today examines how this "TikTok mouthwash" is sparking positive results and testimonials among consumers. The mouth rinse brand is developed with dentists and caters to consumer preferences. For example, it is free of alcohol, dyes and sulfates.

Why it matters: For better or worse, social media has a significant influence on people's lives. Awareness of the latest trends on platforms like TikTok can help dentists have constructive conversations with their patients. (Dentistry Today)

Learning from a master in cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentist Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, is featured on the latest episode of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Podcast. He talks about craftsmanship in cosmetic dentistry and how skills with composite are often overlooked in aesthetic practices. The conversation offers listeners a chance to learn ways to build a strong aesthetic practice with positive patient outcomes.

Why it matters: Listening to their peers in dentistry talk about their specialties and skills can give dentists ideas that they can explore and apply in their own practices. (AGD Podcast)