Dentrix AI Updates You Need to Know: Key Takeaways from the Greater New York Dental Meeting

Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I head to the Greater New York Dental Meeting. It’s one of my favorite conferences, not just because it’s New York at Christmastime, but because this is where we get a real glimpse into what’s coming next for dental technology. And this year, Dentrix had some major updates that are going to directly impact how your practice runs day to day.

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AI was everywhere at Greater New York, but not in the gimmicky way we’ve all grown tired of. What excited me most was seeing artificial intelligence applied in ways that actually save time, reduce errors, and protect your bottom line. That’s the standard I care about. If it doesn’t improve workflow, accuracy, or efficiency, I’m not interested.

Here are the biggest Dentrix updates that stood out and why they matter to your practice.

AI-Powered Imaging Quality Inside Dentrix

One of the most impressive updates I saw was coming to Dentrix Imaging Center. I already love Imaging Center because it’s fully integrated into the patient chart. No extra software, no extra screens, no jumping between systems.

Now Dentrix is adding AI-powered image quality ratings. Every X-ray taken is evaluated and given a star rating. If the image isn’t diagnostic, the system tells your team exactly why and how to fix it.

This is a big deal. Poor diagnostic images don’t just slow down care. They cost money. If an image is unclear and submitted with a claim, that claim may be delayed or denied. Having AI flag low-quality images immediately, while the patient is still in the chair, protects both your clinical outcomes and your revenue.

Voice-to-SOAP Notes That Actually Work

Another standout was Dentrix’s new AI-driven clinical note transcription. I’ve seen plenty of voice-to-text tools, but this one is different because it works directly inside Dentrix and aligns with your existing clinical note templates.

You speak naturally during the exam. Dentrix transcribes your conversation and maps it into a structured SOAP note. If something is missing, the system flags it so you can fill the gap before you dismiss the patient.

This solves a huge problem. Clinical notes are legal documentation. They support insurance claims, audits, and record requests. When notes are rushed or incomplete, practices are exposed. This tool helps ensure notes are accurate, thorough, and completed in real time instead of days later.

New Dentrix Forms and Patient Check-In Tools

Dentrix is also rolling out new electronic forms that replace outdated questionnaires and paper clipboards. Patients can complete forms on their phone before arriving or on an iPad at check-in. That information then syncs directly into Dentrix.

This update improves accuracy, reduces duplicate data entry, and gives patients more flexibility. It’s also a major win for front office efficiency. If you’re still relying on paper forms or legacy questionnaires, this is a meaningful upgrade.

A Smarter Claims Manager Is Coming

Finally, I saw major improvements coming to the Dentrix Claims Manager. If you’re still printing insurance aging reports, it’s time to stop. Static reports are outdated the moment they’re printed.

The new Claims Manager, currently in beta, is designed to be a live workspace for managing unpaid claims and pre-estimates. It’s built for real-world follow-up workflows and will be especially valuable if you work with a third-party billing service.

What This Means for Your Practice

These updates all point to the same goal: making Dentrix work smarter so your team doesn’t have to work harder. If you want to stay ahead of these changes and understand how to implement them correctly, I regularly share Dentrix training insights, workflow strategies, and real-world guidance on the Novonee blog.

If your team has never had formal Dentrix training, or if you know you’re only scratching the surface of what the software can do, this is the year to change that. These tools are powerful, but only if they’re set up and used correctly.

Let’s make sure Dentrix is truly supporting your practice, not slowing it down.