If you think AI has not touched your practice yet, think again.
As Jeff Gladnick from Great Dental Websites explained in the Grow Webinar, AI is already part of Google Search. Whether you use AI tools or not, patients are using them, and search engines are too. That means how patients find and choose you is already influenced by AI-generated content.
If your website lacks clear, original content and structured data, your visibility could be slipping. Search platforms now favour content that is designed to answer real questions in a structured, relevant format. So while you may not be writing with AI, you are now writing for it.
Beyond search, practices are experimenting with AI in daily operations. Tools that transcribe notes, automate appointment reminders, or support after-hours calls are becoming common. These systems can free up time and reduce pressure, but they also come with risks.
Jeff suggests thinking of AI as a very capable intern. It is fast, it learns quickly, and it can draft a lot of content. But it does not always get the context right. It might misrepresent clinical facts, pull inaccurate data, or even plagiarise without proper instruction. That is why human oversight is essential. Anything written or suggested by AI must be reviewed for tone, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
Mike Collishaw from 32Byte raised a cautionary point. He sees many practice teams pasting patient notes into free tools like ChatGPT, just to tidy up language or write in a friendlier tone. Even if you remove names, this is still patient-identifiable data. These tools are not private. Information may be stored, shared, or used to train models in ways you cannot control.
If you would not post it publicly, do not paste it into a public AI tool.
Then there is infrastructure to consider. Some practices still rely on free email accounts, shared devices or unsecured systems. Before introducing AI tools, your basic digital hygiene needs to be sound. Privacy settings, device controls, backup policies and access rights all matter.
So ask yourself: is your practice ready to adopt AI? Or are there still gaps in your foundations?
Finally, there is your team. As Jen Cox from Prime Practice explained, introducing AI is not just about technology. It is a cultural shift. That means involving your people from the beginning. Be clear about the reasons for change. Offer training. Encourage questions. Create feedback loops. If your team understands the purpose and feels supported, they are more likely to engage with new tools and use them well.
At Credabl, we are using AI to support smarter decisions, not to replace human relationships. We are also deeply focused on privacy, risk, and compliance protocols when it comes to AI. Our use of AI is supported by secure platforms, locked-down processes, and well-defined internal policies to ensure the highest level of client privacy and data protection. We see it as a tool that helps us personalise your experience, respond faster, and reduce unnecessary admin. But just like in your practice, we know the most valuable part of any process is the person behind it.
Wherever you are in your AI journey, whether you are curious, cautious or ready to explore, we are here to help. We will connect you with experts, guide you through best practice, and support your adoption of technology in a way that enhances your team and protects your patients.
And yes, this blog was mostly written by AI. But shaped, reviewed and finessed by a real human. Just the way it should be.