CATEGORY AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST 115 Leading the AI wave: How Dr Salloum redefines patient care on Sydney’s Northern Beaches By Makenzie Harris & Martina Dietrich In the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Smile Doctor has been transforming smiles for over 20 years. Nestled within this picturesque community, it’s more than a dental clinic – it’s become a leader in innovation and modern dentistry. As the first practice in the area to adopt Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI, Dr Salloum and his team are pioneering a new era of patientfocused care, where oral health education becomes engaging, diagnostics are more precise, and trust is inevitable. A vision turned reality Dr Salloum first encountered Pearl in 2019 at a conference in Los Angeles. “They showcased these beautiful, colour-coded visuals, and I thought, this could really transform how we communicate with patients,” he recalls. Years later, after taking ownership of Smile Doctor, the memory of this technology lingered on the back burner – until an Instagram ad for Pearl reignited that inspiring experience. Since implementing the software, Dr Salloum has been amazed by the difference it’s made. “It’s a game changer in patient communication and education,” he says. “Patients are pointing at the screen, asking about the highlighted areas. They’re not just nodding along anymore; they’re actively engaging in their care.” Empowering patients with visual clarity For Dr Salloum’s patients, Pearl turned once-perplexing radiographs into intuitive, colour-coded insights. It automatically detects pathologies and conditions, presenting them with AI annotations and a vibrant tooth segmentation feature – while the patient is still in the chair. These visuals help patients better understand their oral health. As Dr Salloum puts it, “Before Pearl, I’d say, ‘Do you see that little grey spot?’ and they’d respond, ‘Not really, but I trust you.’ Now, with the colourful highlights, they instantly get it.” This newfound clarity has made treatment acceptance effortless. “Fortunately, most patients have accepted treatment when I’ve presented it,” he explains. “But now, when they see an area needing attention – such as a pink spot indicating decay – they don’t need convincing. They understand the urgency and trust the diagnosis.” Enhancing diagnostics and accountability Pearl isn’t just helping patients; it’s elevating the entire team. The AI’s ability to detect subtle issues has been a significant benefit for the hygienists, as well. “It holds us accountable,” he notes. “The AI can pick up shades of grey we might miss, ensuring we’re catching disease early and cleaning thoroughly. It’s easy to overlook a faint bit of calculus on the radiograph.” This precision makes Pearl invaluable, improving patient outcomes while enabling the team to maintain the highest professional standards. Dr Salloum states: “The entire team thinks it’s fantastic. Even our support staff can explain parts of the radiographs to patients before I enter the room, giving patients an extra layer of confidence in what we’re telling them.” Integration into the workflow and imaging software, Sidexis, was seamless. “It took about a day to get familiar with everything,” Dr Salloum shares. “Now, we simply log in at the start of the day. The AI runs in the background, and once we’ve taken a radiograph, we flick from Sidexis straight into Pearl.” Leading the Northern Beaches By embracing AI, Smile Doctor is setting a new standard for practices in the Northern Beaches. “We’ve had patients move to our practice and comment on how advanced the technology is compared to what they’ve seen elsewhere,” Dr Salloum expresses. His approach to innovation underscores his commitment to offering the best possible care. Whether it’s enhancing patient understanding, fostering trust, or ensuring diagnostic precision, Pearl’s Second Opinion® is helping him achieve it all. The future is here Dr Salloum shares the widely held belief that radiologic AI will soon become a staple in dental practices worldwide. His advice to colleagues considering this leap? “Think of it as a tool to enhance your skills, not replace them. It’s about complementing what you already do and making it better for your patients. It helps them visualise, improves their trust, and ultimately ensures they get the treatment they require. It’s a win for both the patient and the practice.” u Contact Gamma Tech, Pearl’s official distributor in the ANZ region, to request a free demo of Second Opinion®! P: +61 437 230 808 E: service@gammatech.com.au W: www.gammatech.com.au AI Pearl has proven to be a game-changer in patient communication and education. By integrating Pearl AI, Smile Doctor is pioneering a new standard in patient care.
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