Prime Dental says AI now runs much of its practice

Prime Dental in Pembroke Pines says it has used AI in both diagnostics and patient communications for years, placing it among a small minority of U.S. dental practices. The practice says the tools help spot issues on X-rays and keep calls from going unanswered.

Why it matters: - Prime Dental says it is among a small share of U.S. dental practices using AI both in clinical care and in daily administration. - The setup points to how dental offices may use AI to reduce missed calls, support diagnosis and keep patient flow moving. - A 2026 survey of 300 dental professionals found 32% use any AI tool and 11% use AI for administrative tasks such as answering calls or scheduling.

What happened: - Prime Dental, a cosmetic dental office and implant center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, described for the first time how AI is embedded across most of its operations. - The practice pairs AI-assisted imaging in the treatment room with an AI phone assistant built in-house by Co-Founder and COO Fedor Palacios, MBA. - The practice says it has used both systems for years. - The announcement comes from Prime Dental, which serves patients in Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Weston and Southwest Ranches.

The details: - Dr. Jessica Rivas-Plata, DDS, uses Pearl, an FDA-cleared AI imaging platform, to flag early signs of decay, bone loss and other conditions on X-rays for review. - Pearl acts as a second set of eyes and does not replace Dr. Rivas-Plata’s clinical judgment. - Every operatory has its own screen, allowing Dr. Rivas-Plata to show patients what the imaging reveals in real time. - Palacios built Veronica, the AI phone assistant, at the end of 2025 when staff were scheduled off for the holiday break and calls would have gone unanswered. - Veronica started as a temporary fix and became a permanent part of the practice’s operations. - Prime Dental also offers Invisalign and clear aligners, veneers, and full-arch implant restorations through its Dental Implant Center. - The practice also provides facial aesthetics, including Botox, PRP and microneedling, in the same environment. - Dr. Rivas-Plata added a full-time registered dental hygienist, Elena Gutierrez, RDH, earlier this year to launch a new hygiene system. - Prime Dental says it has earned more than 400 Google reviews.

Between the lines: - Prime Dental is using AI in two places where many offices still lag: front-office response and chairside diagnostics. - The combination may matter because dental practices often lose efficiency when phones go unanswered or images are reviewed without a second check. - The practice’s story also shows AI adoption can start as a narrow operational fix and expand into a broader workflow. - Dr. Rivas-Plata said Pearl gives her a second set of eyes on every digital X-ray, and that the system helps her walk patients through findings in real time. - Palacios said the team did not set out to build a fully AI-enabled practice, but kept expanding the technology once it proved useful.

What's next: - Prime Dental is continuing to use AI as part of its daily workflow rather than as a pilot program. - The practice is directing prospective patients to book online or call (754) 300-8929. - Prime Dental also points patients to its website for more information at the company’s website.