Smile, Click, Done: EM2AI’s Effortless Patient Onboarding

EM2AI’s all-in-one patient-centric cloud solution is empowering dental operations at Q&M Dental Group, offering a streamlined experience from registration to treatment, and fostering patient trust in the digital age.

By Danny Chan

EM2AI is carving an AI-driven path in dental technology across Singapore and Malaysia. At the core of this revolution is the company’s practice automation software, which not only streamlines the patient onboarding process but also empowers dentists to craft instantaneous treatment plans based on gathered x-ray information. 

The tech start-up harbours an ambitious plan to reshape the landscape of patient care across the Asia-Pacific region. The Singapore-based company hopes that their proprietary software, EM2Clinic, will dramatically change the way dentists engage with their patients.

“EM2AI solution is a clinic/patient management system (EM2Clinic) with AI dental condition detection features (EM2AIScan),” CEO Ryan San explains. 

“Our mission is to advance dental care quality through the integration of artificial intelligence and digital dentistry, creating a brighter future for oral health.”

Unleashing AI for an Effortlessly Seamless Patient Journey

According to Ryan, EM2AI is ushering in a transformative experience from the moment patients step into the clinic, upon which the AI-software sets the stage for a seamless patient experience. 

The traditional hassles of registration, appointments, and the handling of multiple software applications become a thing of the past. EM2AI’s all-in-one patient-centric cloud solution simplifies these processes, allowing patients to pre-register online and book appointments effortlessly.

The implementation of the EM2AI solution has been successfully achieved across more than 150 clinics within the award-winning Q&M Dental Group across Singapore and Malaysia. This notable venture with Southeast Asia’s biggest dental group integrates the technology into the practices’ existing workflow, driven by a mutual commitment to digitalization and the pursuit of increased operational efficiency.

In the past, Q&M navigated its operations without complete digital integration, a circumstance that compelled dentists and nurses to engage with multiple software applications, such as POS systems, Dental Notes systems, and X-ray software. 

This intricacy, characterized by the need to toggle between numerous screens, posed a significant challenge for users. The multi-branch structure of Q&M introduced additional complexities, requiring the manual transfer of patient records between clinics, a process that consumed valuable time and resources. 

“In today’s digital age, patients often verify dental diagnoses given by the doctor or seek “second opinion” through online research. However, not all the information available online is reliable,” Ryan adds, tracing the roots of the Q&M implementation. 

“Therefore Q&M sought a digital dentistry solution to enhance productivity and patient experience.”

EM2AI’s Impact on Patient Communication and Clinic Efficiency at Q&M

Dr Teo Jian Kiat, an Associate Dental Surgeon at Q&M, acknowledges the growing accuracy of EM2AI analysis over time and believes it can now be more confidently employed as a tool to communicate dental conditions to patients, complementing the information provided by 3D scans.

“I’ve seen my patients understand their conditions better, even before the treatment was done,” he says.

“I’m still learning and finding ways to better educate and communicate with patients, and I think that (EM2AI’s) vision in leading a technology-infused dentistry is commendable. It provides us the platform to learn these skills and give patients the best care they need in a way that they can understand the value.”

Using AI Dental charting has been a game-changer for me and my patients. When I present this technology to my patients, their immediate reaction is often one of amazement, with comments like ‘Wow, this is very high-tech, and I can see the issue right away.

Dr Zatarie Hoe, Q&M dentist

The implementation of the EM2AI solution marked a pivotal shift. Q&M now operates seamlessly with a unified software platform for registration, appointments, billing, and the viewing of dental images, including x-rays, intraoral images, and photos. This harmonization of data across branches obviates the need for constant record requests.

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Patients can pre-register online and conveniently schedule appointments, saving time for both patients and receptionists. The integration of AI-assisted detection allows patients to receive instant second opinions, a feature that not only streamlines operations but also contributes to a more effective and efficient clinic environment.

“These transformative changes not only optimize clinic operations but also foster heightened patient trust and confidence in dental practitioners,” Ryan underlines.

“Consequently, this elevates the overall patient experience, aligning Q&M with the evolving demands of the digital age.”

Charting the Future: How EM2AI’s AI Streamlines Dental Practices

Meanwhile, EM2AI’s Automated Dental Charting software is revolutionizing the dental charting process for dentists, streamlining it to deliver substantial productivity improvements. Traditionally, dental charting consumed a significant amount of time, averaging 5-10 minutes or more per patient. However, with the AI-powered solution, this laborious task is now completed in just a few seconds.

Upon uploading a patient’s x-ray, the AI algorithms swiftly analyze the data, generating a comprehensive dental chart that encompasses current dental issues and previous restorations. Utilizing EM2AI’s AI dental charting feature has proven to be a transformative experience for Q&M dentist, Dr Zatarie Hoe, who reports overwhelming feedback from patients. 

“Using AI Dental charting has been a game-changer for me and my patients. When I present this technology to my patients, their immediate reaction is often one of amazement, with comments like ‘Wow, this is very high-tech, and I can see the issue right away,’’ says Dr Hoe.

“Moreover, since AI doesn’t lie, patients know that they really do have a problem with their teeth, so they are more willing to invest in fixing their dental issues.”

Dr Hoe recounts a specific instance, where a dental health report, detailing numerous retained roots of a foreign domestic worker patient, was sent to her employer.

“It definitely helped us to highlight her dental condition and help us explain to the employer a lot better,” he shares. “This combination of AI and dental health reports is a very good initiative with huge potential!” 

AI Elevates Dental Diagnostics

The dentist’s role is to validate the AI charting result during the clinical examination, recognizing the limitations of 2D x-rays, such as overlapping anatomical structures, cervical burnout, and the inability to detect certain conditions.

“By automating the charting process, dental practitioners can anticipate significant boosts in productivity,” Ryan attests. “Dentists can now focus more on patient communication and the treatment itself, rather than spending valuable time on manual charting.”

EM2AI employs artificial intelligence as an invaluable second opinion, to elevate diagnostic precision. The intricate process unfolds through the meticulous training of the EM2AI system on extensive datasets of dental X-rays. 

“When a dentist uses our software for diagnosis, the AI acts as a second pair of eyes, analysing these images for signs of potential issues or anomalies that might be missed out through manual examination alone,” Ryan enthuses.

“AI also provides consistent analysis, reducing variability in diagnoses that may occur among different practitioners.”

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Visualizing Trust: EM2AI’s Art of Transparent Dental Care

One of the notable facets of EM2AI’s technology lies in its capacity to cultivate patient trust through guided diagnosis. According to Singapore dentist Dr Kenneth Khong, EM2AI offers patients a clear visual presentation of their dental concerns, allowing them to be active participants in their care.

“Most patients can’t really tell caries on X rays, as it just seems like different shades of grey, so having the boxed out areas makes it easy for them to focus on what we are talking about,” Dr Khong explains.

“Even for cases like impacted wisdom teeth and caries on lower 7 distals, some patients choose to just leave it alone until there is pain or turn symptomatic. When I show them the boxed out areas indicated by the AI, they know that I am not making stuff up, and it’s a good “push factor” for them to deal with the issues before they start hurting.”

In addition, the software analysis and treatment plans help to promote patient acceptance by boosting their confidence, increasing compliance and reducing anxiety.

“Patients often feel more confident in their dentist’s recommendations when they can see and comprehend the issues first hand. This reduces scepticism and fosters a sense of trust in the practitioner,” Ryan adds.

“AI-assisted diagnosis may also help to alleviate the fear by removing uncertainties about their condition and treatment.”

“Patients who understand their conditions and treatment options are more likely to follow through with recommended care plans.”

Tips on Crafting a Seamless AI-Enhanced Clinical Workflow

Positioned as a conduit to elevate patient care and experiences, EM2AI not only simplifies once cumbersome tasks for the dental team, it enriches the human element within the dental practice. It creates a nexus for shared experiences, insights, and best practices, fostering collective growth and optimization of technological dividends.

For those dental professionals venturing into the realm of AI-powered technologies, Ryan advises embarking on the journey with measured steps.

“Take the time to thoroughly understand how the AI-powered technology works, its capabilities, and limitations. This knowledge will empower you to make the most of the technology,” the forward-thinking CEO says.

“Even for cases like impacted wisdom teeth and caries on lower 7 distals, some patients choose to just leave it alone until there is pain or turn symptomatic. When I show them the boxed out areas indicated by the AI, they know that I am not making stuff up, and it’s a good “push factor” for them to deal with the issues before they start hurting.”

Dr Kenneth Khong, Singapore dentist

“Begin with a limited implementation to gain experience and confidence in using AI in your practice. This allows for a smoother transition and minimizes disruptions.”

Taking a patient-centric approach, he says, allows practitioners to effectively wield AI as a formidable tool. Keeping an open mind when adapting to the new workflows will reap unforeseen benefits.

“AI Technology is constantly evolving, and flexibility is key to staying at the forefront of dental practice,” Ryan advises.

“Be open to adjustments and refinements in your workflow as you integrate the technology. You will soon discover its enormous potential. Its ability to provide valuable historical data and insights will shape your practice’s future strategies.”

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