AI in dentistry: Why different generations see automation differently

Walk into almost any dental office today and you'll find a mix of generations working side-by-side. A Baby Boomer practice owner, a Gen X office manager, a Millennial associate dentist, and a Gen Z treatment coordinator may all have very different reactions to the same automation tool. Let's explore why, and how, as a practice owner, you can introduce automation productively. 

While AI-powered diagnostics, automated insurance verification and patient communication tools continue to gain traction, not everyone views these technologies the same way. As with every major technological shift, each generation approaches automation a little differently. 

If you're the type of dental practice owner who wants to stay current and embrace new technologies that benefit both your team and your bottom line, understanding those different perspectives is a good place to start. How might your team react if you, for example, brought automated patient billing software like QuantaPay, into your practice.

Key takeaways on how dental professionals of different generations react to automation: 

• Every generation brings different experiences and expectations to technology adoption.

• Resistance to automation is often tied to trust and training, not age.

• AI works best when it aids people rather than replaces them.

The current state of AI adoption in dentistry

Artificial intelligence is one of the most discussed topics in dentistry today, but adoption remains uneven across the industry. AI in dentistry is increasingly being used to support both clinical decision-making and administrative workflows, helping practices improve efficiency without replacing their teams. 

In a 2025 survey by Swiss dental professionals in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making , their results “revealed that 21.9% of respondents reported using AI in dentistry at least once a week. No significant differences were found between male and female participants regarding their perceptions of AI safety and utility (p = 0.823); however, a significant negative correlation was found between participants’ age and their belief in AI’s utility (p = 0.049). The belief that AI might replace jobs in the future correlated with lower perceived AI utility.”

We can assume this number has climbed within the past year with even more AI models and automated software launching in 2026. Clinical and administrative tasks have become increasingly more automated.

Dental Reviewed surveyed 300 licensed dentists in 2026 and asked about their automation use.

• “Radiograph analysis is the most widely adopted AI application in dentistry, and the survey data confirms it. Of the 132 respondents who have used AI tools, 108 mentioned AI-assisted radiograph analysis, making it the dominant use case at roughly 82% of all adopters.”

• “AI-powered front-desk tools, sometimes called an AI dental receptionist, were mentioned by 28 respondents. These tools automate appointment scheduling, recall reminders, phone call triage, patient intake forms, and frequently asked patient questions.”

So while some segments of the dental practice are still in early adaptation phases, their adoption continues to grow. So how can we figure out how people of different generations are feeling about it?

How do different generations view AI? 

Logically, how different generations are feeling about automation and AI in general is likely how they’re feeling about it in the context of a dental office setting. 

The University of Cincinnati released an article covering each generation’s general feelings about AI: 

• Gen Z: Considered ‘digital natives,’ Gen Z has grown up always having access to technology. A 2025 survey by Deloitte found that 76% of Gen Zers have used standalone generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, the highest rate of any generation.

• Millennials: Millennials grew up alongside the rise of the internet, and have almost  always had access to technology. The same 2025 Deloitte survey found that 58% of millennials have used standalone AI tools, while 60% regularly engage with passive AI embedded in products they already use.

• Gen X: This is where you see a big difference in AI use. Deloitte found that only 36% have used standalone AI tools while about half, 49%, engage with passive AI features in applications they already use, such as Gmail or Facebook.

• Boomers: This generation has seen it all in terms of how the internet and universal technology has evolved. Just 20% report trying out standalone AI tools, according to Deloitte, a 56% drop from Gen Z adoption rates.

All of the statistics mentioned above were cited from this Deloitte article.

Here's the key takeaway from these statistics: Gen Z and Millennials are more willing to adapt to newer technology like AI and automation, while there is a bit more resistance in older generations like Gen X and Boomers. Of course, this doesn’t account for the entire world, and this doesn’t mean the older you are, the less you’re willing to innovate. 

So what does this mean for AI in dentistry?

What’s the logical path for AI in the dental industry?

According to the ADA, the largest demographic of professionally active dentists is the 35–44 age group (26.0%), closely followed by 45–54 year-olds (22.6%). 

If you're the practice owner or decision-maker, you're likely in an age group that's open to exploring automation, even if you still want to evaluate it carefully before implementing it. But you also might think you’ve got a challenge to overcome: Getting your wide age range of staff to get on board at the same time with automation.

Here’s what’s important to remember. At first glance, these differences might make it seem as though dental teams are divided on AI, but the reality is much simpler. Most dental professionals, regardless of generation, want the same outcomes:

• Better patient care.

• Less administrative burden.

• Increased efficiency.

• Stronger profitability.

• Reduced team burnout.

The difference lies in how each generation evaluates the path to those outcomes. Younger generations often start with the assumption that automation can help. Older generations often want proof before they fully embrace it. Successful AI adoption depends as much on team buy-in and training as it does on the technology itself. 

Related: Hate paying for postage? Go paperless with automated patient payments

Neither perspective is wrong. In fact, successful practices benefit from having both viewpoints represented. As the decision-maker, you can draw value from both perspectives and make more informed decisions when evaluating new technologies. 

Use automation to support, not replace, your dental team 

To recap, we covered: 

• The current state of AI adoption in dentistry.

• How do different generations feel about AI in general.

• What’s the logical path for AI in the dental industry.

The future of dentistry isn't about choosing between people and automation. It's about helping every generation understand how technology can support the work they already do. The practices that thrive won't necessarily be the ones with the newest AI tools. They'll be the ones that successfully align technology, workflows, and people across generations.

QuantaPay uses automation to simplify patient billing and collections, allowing dental teams to spend less time on repetitive administrative tasks and more time caring for patients. 

Learn how you can begin adapting automation that helps your team get back to what matters: Patient care. Book a discovery call with QuantaPay today.