Transforming Dentistry: How Tooth Club is Redefining Patient Experience
In our inaugural UK episode of Spilling the Teath, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Kunal Thakker, Founder of Tooth Club, to discuss the evolution of dentistry, the importance of technology, and how patient expectations are shaping the industry. Hosted by Alan Mutton, UK & Ireland Head of Marketing at Henry Schein One, the conversation covered everything from cloud-based practice management to the role of AI and what the future holds for the dental industry.
A New Vision for Dentistry
Tooth Club was founded with a clear mission: to disrupt the traditional dental model and create a patient-centric experience. Kunal shared his inspiration behind the brand, recalling childhood memories of visiting the dentist and wanting to eliminate the anxiety-inducing elements many patients associate with dental visits.
From the outset, Tooth Club created a welcoming environment that engages all the senses. Gone are the clinical, blue-toned spaces of traditional dental practices—replaced with bright colours, greenery, and an ambience designed to put patients at ease. Reception areas resemble concierge services rather than waiting rooms, and patients are even offered the option to watch Netflix while in the chair. Every detail is intentional, ensuring each visit is as comfortable as possible.
Embracing Change: The Role of Technology
Dentistry has historically been slow to adopt new technologies, but that is changing rapidly. Over the last decade, advancements in digital dentistry, cloud-based systems, and AI-driven solutions have begun shaping how dental practices operate.
One of the most significant changes for Tooth Club was the transition from an on-premise practice management system to Dentally, Henry Schein One’s cloud-based platform. For a multi-site organisation like Tooth Club, the benefits were immediate and invaluable.
"Moving to Dentally was the best decision we ever made," Kunal explained. "Our head office team is remote, with staff in the UK, India, and South Africa. Cloud-based access means we can manage appointments, reports, and patient interactions in real-time, from anywhere."
Streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring seamless patient experiences across multiple locations has been a game-changer for the group. Dentists can check their schedules from home, support teams can operate remotely, and the business can analyse key metrics more effectively.
Data-Driven Dentistry: The Power of Open API
One of Tooth Club’s standout benefits of Dentally has been open API, which allows for integration with other digital tools and custom data analysis. Kunal highlighted how this has given the business unparalleled insights into performance, forecasting, and patient engagement.
"Having an open API means we can pull data into Power BI and manipulate it in a way that suits our business—not just how a software provider dictates it should be viewed. This gives us a competitive edge because we can make data-driven decisions tailored to our unique business model."
This approach is particularly valuable as Tooth Club continues to scale, with ambitions to expand across high streets nationwide. Access to real-time, high-quality data enables smarter decision-making and helps improve operational efficiency.
AI in Dentistry: The Future or a Risk?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in dentistry, but opinions on its role vary widely. Kunal was candid in his views, acknowledging AI's potential while also expressing caution about its immediate application.
"AI is definitely the future, but I don’t want to be the guinea pig. Dentistry is a people-first business, and while AI can streamline processes, it cannot replace human empathy. Patients in pain need emotional support, not just automation."
That said, Tooth Club is keen to explore practical applications for AI, such as AI-driven voice notes that save clinicians time on record-keeping and enhance accuracy. According to Kunal, the key is to integrate AI to improve efficiency without compromising the human touch that defines quality patient care.
Building a Scalable, Patient-First Future
Looking ahead, Kunal envisions Tooth Club expanding to 100+ locations across the UK, bringing high-quality, patient-focused dentistry to high streets nationwide. However, he emphasised that growth must be underpinned by strong training, systems, and processes to maintain the high standards that have set Tooth Club apart:
"A beautiful, Instagrammable practice means nothing if the patient experience isn’t exceptional. Investing in our people and processes is just as important as investing in technology."
The Role of Industry Partnerships
One of the key themes of the discussion was the importance of strong industry partnerships. Tooth Club’s relationship with Henry Schein One and its technology providers has been instrumental in its growth and operational success.
"When we open a new practice, the excitement from the Henry Schein One and Dentally teams is the same as ours. It’s a true partnership, not just a supplier relationship." Kunal noted.
This collaborative approach ensures that Tooth Club can access the latest innovations while maintaining the support needed to implement them effectively.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Dentistry?
Dentistry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with technology, data, and patient expectations driving change. Practices that embrace these shifts and prioritise patient experience will be best positioned for long-term success.
As we wrapped up our Spilling the Teath conversation, we turned the question to our audience: How do you see AI, cloud-based solutions, and digital transformation shaping your practice over the next ten years? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
To learn more about how Henry Schein One’s technology solutions can support your practice, explore our offerings today.
