In the debut episode of Byte Sized Podcast host Adrian Lefler of My Social Practice tackles a timely and provocative topic: how artificial intelligence is creating a growing divide in every industry—including dentistry. Joined by podcast pro and dental entrepreneur Shawn Zajas, the episode dives into what Adrian calls “The Coming Split”: the difference between people who use AI as a superpower…and those who get outpaced by it.
Why Dentists Need to Start Paying Attention to AI
The dental industry is on the edge of a major shift and AI is leading the charge. Just like machines changed manual labor during the Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence is starting to change how we handle everyday tasks that involve knowledge, communication, and creativity. For dental professionals, that means everything from marketing and admin work to patient engagement is getting faster, smarter, and more efficient.
The good news? AI isn’t here to take your job. It’s here to give you superpowers, if you’re willing to use them. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others are already helping dental practices write blog posts, create social media content, respond to patient reviews, and even organize internal training materials. Things that used to take hours now take minutes.
But here’s the catch: the gap is growing between practices that are using these tools and those that aren’t. If you’re ignoring AI, you’re making it easier for your competitors to pass you by.
The Real Disruption Isn’t the AI, It’s What It Replaces
One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it’s just a smarter Google or a cool content tool. But what’s actually happening is far bigger. AI is starting to replace the need for traditional knowledge work. You don’t have to go to a course or hire a specialist to get answers anymore; you can ask an AI to write your blog post, generate your treatment explainer video script, or build out a full content calendar in seconds.
For dental professionals, that’s a game changer.
You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. New tools are popping up constantly—like Claude, Manus, and GenSpark—that take it even further. Some can handle full project management, patient messaging workflows, or even coach you on how to improve your communication style with team members or patients.
What we’re seeing is the beginning of a new kind of divide: practices that figure out how to use AI to speed up their work and stay competitive…and those that fall behind because they assume it’s too complicated or not relevant.
What AI Can’t Replace and Why That’s Your Competitive Edge
As AI continues to take over more tasks, it’s natural to wonder: where do real humans still fit in?
The answer is simple—relationships. Technology can automate, organize, and even simulate a friendly conversation. But it can’t replace the genuine connection patients feel when they’re greeted by name, offered a warm smile, or asked about their family. That kind of trust and care can’t be faked.
In dentistry, where fear and anxiety are common, empathy is essential. Sure, AI might one day place an implant with surgical precision, but it will never hold a patient’s hand before the procedure or explain things in a way that makes someone feel heard and understood.
The opportunity here isn’t to resist AI. It’s to let AI handle the backend so you have more time to focus on what matters most: people. Imagine an office where your team isn’t glued to a computer checking insurance codes, but instead spending that time actually engaging with patients. That’s the kind of care people will pay more for and stay loyal to.
Using AI to Find and Amplify Your Unique Value
AI can help you understand yourself and your team better. In this episode, the concept of “authentic brilliance” takes center stage. It’s the idea that your competitive edge as a dentist or business owner doesn’t come from doing what everyone else does, it comes from leaning into what makes you different. Your leadership style, your story, and your communication strengths are things no AI can replicate. But AI can help you better understand and express them.
There are tools now that let you upload personality assessments, leadership profiles, and internal documents, then ask the AI to help you identify how you work best, what kind of team dynamics you need, or even how to handle challenges like communication breakdowns or resistance to change. Think of it as having a customized coach, strategist, and content creator right at your fingertips.
Start by experimenting. Upload a simple document to Claude or ChatGPT. Ask it to help you reframe a challenge, or create a training plan based on your strengths. The possibilities are endless, but it all starts with taking the first step.
Standout Quotes
“AI won’t replace dentists. But dentists who use AI will replace those who don’t.”
“Your competitive advantage in the next decade is your authentic brilliance—AI can help you find it, not fake it.”
“Automation should never replace relationships. In dentistry, connection is still the most valuable currency.”
In This Episode:
Shawn Zajas
Shawn Zajas is a brand strategist, podcast producer, and founder of the Authentic Influence Collective. With over a decade of experience in dentistry and media, he helps purpose-driven leaders uncover their unique brilliance and amplify it through custom studio builds, personal branding, and strategic content creation. In a world of AI-generated noise, Shawn believes authenticity is the new competitive advantage and he’s on a mission to help others share their voice with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Adrian Lefler, CEO and Co-founder of My Social Practice
Adrian Lefler, CEO of My Social Practice, is a seasoned expert in the dental marketing industry with 14 years of experience. He is widely recognized for his engaging and informative presentations. Based in Suncrest, Utah, Adrian shares his life with his wife, four children, and a lively mix of pets. My Social Practice is a leading dental marketing company, and Adrian is passionate about helping dental professionals succeed in this dynamic field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can dental practices start using AI in marketing?
Dental practices can use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to generate blog posts, create SEO-rich website content, brainstorm social media captions, or even automate patient education materials. My Social Practice also offers AI-enhanced dental marketing services tailored for practices of all sizes.
What’s the best AI tool for dentists to try first?
ChatGPT is a great starting point for beginners. It can write blog posts, answer patient questions, or generate marketing ideas. For more advanced users, Claude by Anthropic offers project-based learning and deeper personalization perfect for developing your brand voice and internal training resources.
Is AI going to replace dental jobs?
AI won’t replace dentists, but dentists who ignore AI may fall behind. Tasks like admin work, marketing, and treatment planning can be streamlined with AI. That frees up more time for dentists to focus on what matters: patient care and relationship-building.
How is My Social Practice using AI to help dentists grow?
My Social Practice uses AI to speed up creative workflows, generate content ideas, optimize SEO strategies, and personalize social media campaigns, all while maintaining the human touch that makes marketing effective. Our AI dental receptionist, Annie AI, is helping dentists increase revenue and empower their employees to offer next-level care.
Can AI improve team communication within a dental practice?
Yes! AI can be used to develop communication training, mediate personality differences, and even coach team members using their own psychographic profiles. Tools like Claude can help practices create internal resources that improve teamwork and emotional intelligence.
What’s the difference between Claude and ChatGPT for dentists?
Both are large language models, but Claude supports project-based learning, meaning you can upload documents (like patient personas, team bios, or practice policies) and train it on your specific brand voice. It’s more customizable and great for practice leaders whmyo want AI to “know” their team.
