Henry Schein One, a global leader in dental technology, has announced the launch of its Next Generation Clinical Workflow, a voice-driven, AI-enabled advancement embedded within the Dentrix Ascend platform that transforms how dentistry is delivered at the chairside. The solution marks the latest step in Henry Schein One’s ongoing collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to integrate generative AI into everyday clinical workflows.
The Next Generation Clinical Workflow combines imaging, charting, diagnostics and treatment planning into a single, continuous experience. Clinicians can capture data, navigate the system and complete documentation using voice and AI tools without breaking clinical focus or leaving the patient. AI-enabled features are intended as a diagnostic support tool to assist dentists and healthcare providers, and are used alongside clinical findings and professional judgement in final decision-making. By enabling clinicians to remain in a single pair of gloves, the technology helps improve efficiency and patient engagement during examinations and treatment.
Henry Schein One’s platforms support more than 100,000 dental locations globally, including around 90% of the top DSOs, processing over 120 million claims annually. With more than 191 million eligibility checks and 22 million completed digital forms, the scale of structured clinical and operational data within the platform enables AI to operate within real-world workflows rather than in isolation.
At its core, the initiative is built on a simple principle: when clinical workflows work better, practices perform better.
“For too long, clinicians have had to adapt to software instead of software adapting to how clinicians work,” said Dr Ryan Hungate, chief clinical and strategy officer at Henry Schein One. “With the Next Generation Clinical Workflow, we are embedding intelligence directly into the flow of care, connecting what happens chairside to the operational and financial outcomes that follow.”
The Next Generation Clinical Workflow currently includes:
• Image Verify: Real-time AI review of radiographs to support image quality, staff training and improved documentation for cleaner claims
• Voice Notes: Automated generation of structured clinical notes from ambient chairside conversations, reducing charting time while supporting accuracy
• Voice Perio: Hands-free periodontal charting using voice, enabling faster and more accurate documentation without disrupting clinical flow
• Detect AI: Integrated third-party AI diagnostic support powered by Videa, highlighting potential areas of concern to assist clinical decision-making alongside practitioner judgement
Looking ahead, Henry Schein One plans to expand the system further with AI-powered image magnification, disease progression tracking through heat mapping, real-time voice-to-chart conversion, hands-free voice navigation across workflows, and AI-supported treatment planning tools designed to enhance case conversations and acceptance.
Together, these developments aim to create a more connected clinical environment in which intelligence supports clinicians throughout every stage of care, improving consistency, efficiency and overall practice performance.
For DSOs, standardisation and scalability remain critical in multi-location environments where variation can impact both clinical outcomes and operational performance.
“When clinical data, imaging and AI are fully integrated into one platform, it creates a more standardised and efficient experience across locations,” said Dr AJ Acierno, chief clinical officer at Smile Brands. “That consistency supports better patient outcomes while driving operational performance at scale.”
By linking insights directly to structured documentation and treatment planning, the workflow is designed to reduce downstream friction, supporting cleaner claims, faster approvals and more predictable performance.
“What stands out in this next phase of Dentrix Ascend is not just the commitment to innovation, but the speed at which meaningful capabilities are reaching clinicians and their teams,” said Dr Lou Graham, founder of Catapult Education. “When clinical technology is embedded into everyday workflow in practical ways, it has the potential to improve both the provider and patient experience.”
The launch represents another step in Henry Schein One’s broader vision to deliver connected, AI-powered workflows across every layer of dental practice performance.
