Very Dental: Dentistry in 2050 with Dr. Alex Kantor and Dr. Eric Applesies

In a speculative and spirited conversation on the future of dentistry, Dr. Alan Mead, Dr. Alex Kantor, and Dr. Eric Applesies imagine a 2050 where dental insurance is obsolete, AI handles all administrative burdens, and dentists are freed to focus solely on clinical work. The trio debates whether dentistry will be a more or less desirable profession, with concerns over crushing student debt and corporate consolidation. They predict a future where hygiene tasks are automated or delegated to trained assistants using advanced air polishing and disclosing technologies, and where personalized, AI-driven care replaces the one-size-fits-all insurance model. Despite skepticism about AI fully replacing human oversight, they agree that the ideal practice would eliminate financial stress and allow dentists to thrive as clinicians—free from business operations and insurance constraints. The episode ends with a bold vision: a world where patients pay out-of-pocket for routine cleanings, and dentistry is no longer defined by insurance limitations.