AADOM QUICKcast – Leading Dental Teams Through Change
Video Description:
Change in dentistry is inevitable, but navigating it well is a skill. In this 30-minute QUICKcast, leadership expert Laura Nelson shares how dental practice leaders can guide their teams through today’s rapid shifts, including the rise of AI and automation. Drawing on lessons from past transitions like digital imaging and e-claims, this session emphasizes that successful adaptation isn’t about the tech—it’s about how you lead your people.
Course Learning Objectives:
- Recognize resistance to change and address it with empathy
- Understand the evolving role of AI in dental workflows
- Apply proven strategies from past industry shifts
- Communicate clearly and build team confidence
- Create a practice culture where innovation thrives
Change Doesn’t Have to Feel Like Pulling Teeth: Leading Your Dental Team Through Transformation
By Laura Nelson, FAADOM
Let’s be honest—change isn’t exactly our favorite thing in dentistry. Whether it’s a new software, a shift in systems, or a completely new way of working, it’s usually met with some version of: “Why are we doing this again?”
And I get it. I’ve been there. But the truth is, the way we lead our teams through change matters now more than ever.
We’re in the middle of a huge shift in our industry—technology is evolving fast, especially with artificial intelligence starting to show up in places we never expected. This isn’t just another shiny new tool. These changes are happening quickly and—whether we’re ready or not—they’re reshaping how dental offices operate.
We’ve Done This Before
If you’ve been in dentistry long enough, you’ve already lived through major changes.
- Remember darkrooms? We waited for x-rays to develop in chemicals. Now, we see them instantly with digital imaging.
- We scheduled patients in paper books with pencils. Today, everything’s online and automated.
- We mailed insurance claims and hoped for the best. Now they’re submitted and paid electronically, often within days.
None of those transitions were easy. But we adapted—and now we can’t imagine going back. This new chapter—AI, automation, smarter workflows—is just the next evolution.
So Why Does Change Still Feel So Hard?
The biggest barrier isn’t the technology—it’s the discomfort. People don’t resist change because they’re lazy. They resist because they’re unsure, unincluded, or unprepared.
As leaders, that’s where we come in. Change doesn’t work without leadership—and leadership isn’t just making decisions. It’s about bringing your team with you through those decisions.
Change Management: The Skill We Need Now
Here’s what I teach when working with teams through transformation:
- Explain the Why: People need to understand the purpose behind the change.
- Involve Your Team Early: Ask for feedback. Make them part of the process.
- Give People Space: to Learn Change takes time. Mistakes are part of it.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Notice and talk about what’s working, no matter how small.
- Keep the Conversation Going: Change isn’t one-and-done. Revisit the why. Make it a cultural shift.
What About AI?
Yes, AI is here—and it’s real. But it’s not the whole story. AI won’t replace your team. It will give them time back by automating the repeatable stuff so they can focus on the human side of dentistry: the care, the experience, the relationships.
But even the best technology won’t fix anything if your team doesn’t trust or understand it. Again—it comes back to leadership.
Looking Ahead
If we’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s this: doing things “the way we’ve always done them” isn’t sustainable. Dental practices that thrive will be those that lead change—not react to it.
Start small. Focus on one bottleneck. Try one tool. Have one conversation. Just start.
You’ve Got This
You’ve already adapted to new systems and expectations. You’re not starting from scratch—you’re building on experience.
With the right mindset and leadership, change can unlock the next level of growth for your team, your practice, and your career.
Let’s stop fearing change—and start shaping it. We’ve done it before—we can do it again.
Sponsored by: Pearl
Laura Nelson is a dynamic dental industry leader with over 20 years of experience. As founder of Front Office Rocks and Brush Up on AI, she empowers teams with practical training and innovative AI solutions. An author of three books, Laura specializes in leadership, communication, and team development. She is also the co-founder of Sober Life Rocks, promoting wellness and inclusivity at industry events. With a focus on efficiency, patient care, and forward-thinking leadership, Laura is a trusted voice driving positive change across dental practices nationwide.
