Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can have far-reaching benefits in any field, and dentistry is no exception. From analyzing imaging data to searching for treatment options, AI can provide significant insight. One evolving platform in particular-OraQ-stands out in the AI category because it does even more. The AI-powered clinical decision support system and machine learning platform developed by OraQ creates a comprehensive profile based on patients' individual needs. Dr. Amreesh Khanna, founder and CEO of OraQ, describes it this way: "OraQ is the only clinical AI solution that puts the power of AI in the palms of both the clinician's and patient's hands."
A very important question in today's competitive business atmosphere is: "How is my practice different than the one across the street?" OraQ AI can provide that answer. The OraQ experience begins with the patient having the option to complete a simple electronic form directly on the OraQ app, which collects patients' personal information including medical/dental history, biometrics, and certain preferences. The analyzed data is displayed on their digital OraQ dashboard. The patient's wellness profile is influenced by seven key risk areas: overall patient wellness, medical risks, sleep-related risks, biomechanical risks (such as cracks in teeth and overall wear patterns in the mouth), caries and periodontal risks, occlusion, and aesthetics. The value of OraQ continues as the individualized patient information is evaluated with the expertise of thousands of dentists in the system to identify possible precision treatment strategies that improve dental health and reduce risks.
OraQ AI achieves three primary goals:
1. It maximizes the value of patients. OraQ keeps track and reminds clinicians of previously recommended treatment and potentially overlooked treatments. Patients will find value in the fact that their dentist is committed to providing the best individualized short- and long-term treatment plans. Regarding identifying a patient's needs, Dr. Khanna noted that OraQ AI can uncover up to 2.5 times additional treatment opportunities for the practice simply by doing one OraQ new patient exam a week or one OraQ recall patient exam a day. OraQ's analysis functionality helps dentists, hygienists, or assistants connect the dots for patient care by looking at the highly visual dashboard graphics of the patient's needs in specific risk categories. Besides telling the patient what the proposed treatment is, the OraQ assessment also provides the reason why.
2. It increases treatment acceptance: Regarding treatments that patients have not yet scheduled or accepted, patients can see full transparency in their care-boosting trust. OraQ is the only clinical AI solution that actively involves the patient in the entire journey. The patient can easily receive texts or emails regarding their assessments and treatment needs, and they have 24/7 access to the patient dashboard. Dentists who use OraQ are reporting up to a doubling of previous treatment acceptance rates.
3. It enhances patient engagement and retention:OraQ elevates both the dentist and patient experience, distinguishing the practice. Rather than solely focusing on imaging diagnostics like some other AI platforms, OraQ analyzes data on the patients' overall health and engages them throughout their journey. Patients can view their dynamic risk dial and see it change in a positive way from red to green. As a result, they are encouraged to continue improving their dental and holistic health.
Besides these three primary goals, OraQ drives consistency within the practice team, regardless of whether the clinician or team member is right out of school or is more experienced. Capabilities among dental associates and staff can vary significantly. The team is empowered with consistent trusted information that will uncover and maximize value for patients. Dr. Khanna explains, "Our perio model has full precision protocols like stagings and gradings, so now the hygienists easily can see what the patients need. With one button at the end, you get an autogenerated thorough clinical note for full medico-legal compliance."
Another important aspect of an AI protocol is its integration with the practice management system. Most practice management software is primarily a booking and billing system, but to increase revenue potential, the more information available, the better. OraQ acts as an overlay onto existing practice management software that optimizes clinical care with a smooth diagnostic workflow. Currently, the platform is directly integrated with practice management software brands Dentrix, Open Dental, and ClearDent, and it can also work with many others.
OraQ AI's value is gaining recognition. Distinguished institutions are seeking connections, including a recent innovation and research partnership with a leader in the dental innovation space, the University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni Dental School of Dentistry in San Francisco.
Also, the company has established a partnership with the Canadian division of Patterson Dental, a major North American dental distributor, elevating OraQ to a national brand with 120 sales representatives that reaches across 10,000 dental practices in Canada.
OraQ AI helps to cultivate key champions within the practice, whether they are the dentist, associate, or hygienist. Patients are empowered to be champions for their own health as well. This is more than just AI-the platform is exceptional in its class, and it's an investment in your practice that leads to comprehensive patient care and practice growth.
