Clinical director Asad Rahman explains why AI-powered diagnostic technology has been introduced to transform patient communication and practice efficiencies across Gensmile’s 38-practice network.
Gensmile Dental is introducing an AI-powered diagnostic software system which turns complex dental radiographs into clear, visual evidence for patients. The phased rollout follows clinical director Dr Asad Rahman’s first-hand experience of the software’s impact on patient communication and treatment acceptance.
Hello Pearl’s Second Opinion software analyses radiographs in real time, producing colour-coded highlights which aids dental diagnosis and treatment planning. The tool uses artificial intelligence to analyse dental images to provide an accurate diagnosis and demonstrate the presence of caries, infection, and bone loss.
For Dr Rahman, this has changed the way consultations are structured: ‘Rather than briefly showing a standard X-ray, I begin with the software-enhanced images. When pathology and healthy tissues are displayed side by side in different colour-code shades, patients immediately understand what is happening and why remedial action is needed. It takes treatment acceptance and consent to another level.’
Dr Rahman first encountered the software two years ago while overseeing 25 practices at Portman Dentex. Any initial reservations he may have had quickly disappeared once he saw how patients reacted to the software: ‘Patients get it straight away. Even in endodontic referrals – where treatment acceptance is usually high – they respond completely differently when they can see the evidence for themselves on the colour-coded overlays.’
From personal experience to group strategy
As Gensmile’s clinical director, Dr Rahman not only leads the group’s clinical strategy and serves on the board, but also continues to work part-time in practice as a dentist with a special interest in endodontics to stay actively engaged in clinical work. ‘Because of Hello Pearl, I’ve achieved the same revenue in two clinical days that I previously achieved in three and a half. The only change has been using the software.’
This impact has helped shape Gensmile’s phased rollout, starting with three pilot sites – including a 13-surgery general practice and two specialist referral centres.
As Dr Rahman explains: ‘We wanted a mix of environments to test performance. In referral centres, where prosthodontic cases require detailed explanation, the software is already proving to be especially valuable. Once the software has been shown to be effective, a phased implementation in other practices in the group has been mapped out.’
Gensmile’s philosophy
Founded in 2015 by CEO Simon Turton, Gensmile’s philosophy has never been about owning the most sites, but about building efficient, progressive, and well-supported practices. Dr Rahman sees Hello Pearl as an important step in evolving this strategy, as he adds: ‘Our aim is consistency and quality. Hello Pearl helps us achieve that by giving every clinician the highest level of diagnostic capacity as well as the tools to encourage patient case acceptance.’
Training and support are critical to a successful rollout, and Dr Rahman is particularly impressed with the level of commitment provided by the Hello Pearl team. They provide group-wide introductions to the software, one-to-one clinician training, and on-going access and analysis of usage tracking data. The latter allows Gensmile to identify successful implementers and early adopters who can act as practice champions and will be central in helping with the planned wider roll out.
Alongside traditional measures such as case acceptance and new patient value, Gensmile also monitors softer outcomes, including patient reviews and clinician feedback. ‘If patients mention Hello Pearl in reviews, or clinicians note its impact in their feedback, that is just as important as the numbers for us.’
Part of a digital transformation strategy
Implementing Hello Pearl is only part of the digital transformation being implemented group wide. Gensmile is exploring voice-assisted note-taking and AI-supported documentation to reduce time-intensive treatment planning. ‘Dentistry has looked the same for decades – a dentist, a nurse, and a patient in the chair. Tools like Hello Pearl change that dynamic, making consultations more collaborative and diagnosis transparent.’
Dr Rahman believes that implementing a digital strategy creates a clear competitive advantage for Gensmile: ‘Most patients will never have seen anything like this before. It demonstrates added value and sets our practices apart in a way that price competition never could.’
Both the clinical and business implications of adopting the software are important. With his strong scientific background and an MBA in business, Dr Rahman views technology adoption as a natural progression for DSOs such as Gensmile: ‘It is imperative to ensure our clinicians have the best tools to achieve the best clinical outcomes. Hello Pearl provides us with that. Just as importantly, it helps patients understand and commit to their care in the most responsible way. This is what will ultimately make it transformative for our group.’
For more information, visit: hellopearl.com/getdemo.
This article is sponsored by Hello Pearl.
