2026 Dental Trends Outlook: Your roadmap to smarter patient care, greater efficiency, and a more profitable practice.

Image of a dentist reviewing patient chart information with a patient.

Event Details

March 17, 2026

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM MDT

CE Webinar

As AI becomes part of everyday dentistry, many practices are asking the same question: where does it actually make a difference? 

Join this CE eligible panel session where industry leaders share how integrated, assistive AI supports the entire patient journey, from scheduling and eligibility verification, to imaging, documentation, claims, and collections. Learn where AI delivers the most practical value today, how it improves consistency and efficiency, and what practices of any size should consider as they evaluate its role in care and operations.  

Hear real world perspectives on what works today and how solo practices, growing groups, and DSOs can adopt AI in ways that support teams, not replace them. 

Key Takeaways

  • Identify where assistive AI is embedded across clinical, operational, and revenue workflows
  • Differentiate between assistive and autonomous AI and their impact on team roles and efficiency
  • Describe practical use cases that reduce administrative burden and improve consistency in scheduling, documentation, and claims
  • Evaluate AI adoption considerations based on practice size, workflow complexity, and operational needs 

About the Speakers

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Melissa Marquez

Executive Director, Solutions Consulting & Enablement, Henry Schein One

Image of Melissa Marquez

Melissa Marquez

Executive Director, Solutions Consulting & Enablement, Henry Schein One

Melissa Marquez is an accomplished dental industry leader with over two decades of experience spanning private practice and DSO operations, customer solutioning, and product enablement. Currently serving as Executive Director of Solutions Consulting & Enablement at Henry Schein One, she leads cross-functional teams that support dental organizations with best-in-class technology solutions. 

Melissa previously held senior leadership roles at Jarvis Analytics, where she was Chief Operating Officer, and at DentalOne Partners, where she advanced from practice manager to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing large-scale operations, driving growth, and developing high-performing teams. Melissa has a deep commitment to the  development of her teams and the customer experience. 

Melissa currently lives in Texas and enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

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Jill Nesbitt

Founder & Senior Consultant, Optimize Dental

Image of Jill Nesbitt

Jill Nesbitt

Founder & Senior Consultant, Optimize Dental

Jill Nesbitt is an independent dental technology consultant specializing in implementing and optimizing dental software for dental practices. With hands on experience managing a multi-specialty practice plus working for Henry Schein One helping the dental practices across the country move to cloud-based software, she provides white glove software project implementation leadership. 

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Jennifer Steadman

President & Owner, Steadman Onboarding Solutions

Image of Jennifer Steadman

Jennifer Steadman

President & Owner, Steadman Onboarding Solutions

Jennifer Steadman, BSDH, DAADOM, lights up talking about workplace culture and team dynamics, yes, really! She’s worn just every hat in the dental office, except the dentist's! From Assistant, to Hygienist, to Admin Team, to Office Manager and VP of Operations of a Mid-Sized DSO. That journey taught her something crucial, the best practices aren't built on perfect systems alone, they're built on people who feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work.   

As founder of Jen SOS, she partners with practices to build strong teams and navigate the culture shifts that come with growth and transition, whether that's new hires, mergers, acquisitions, or ownership changes. She also speaks on workplace efficiency, communication strategies, and the metrics that actually drive results, helping leaders cut through the noise and focus on what matters. She co-hosts Back in 10, a dental leadership podcast where she and her co-host, Savanah Carlson, serve up real talk, honest truths, no fluff, and just the right amount of sass! They don't just talk leadership, they also dive into life, challenges, and the realities of balancing it all, creating space for authentic conversations that resonate with leaders at every stage.  

Her role as Director of Operation at Inspired Hygiene has allowed her to bridge her clinical experience with her operations expertise, giving her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges practices face today.   

Her philosophy is simple, when teams feel supported and valued, magic happens. The work gets easier, the culture gets stronger, and everyone—team, practice, and patients—thrive together.

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Zach Shelley

President, ZERO—Dental Billing and Insurance Verification

Image of Zach Shelley

Zach Shelley

President, ZERO—Dental Billing and Insurance Verification

Zachary Shelley began his career as a professional skateboarder, dedicating over 15 years to the sport before transitioning into dentistry in 2009 as a dental technician. In 2020, he expanded his expertise into dental practice management, where he discovered a passion for helping practices grow and thrive. With a proven track record in the dental industry, Zachary is known for his ability to connect with teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful growth. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and living life with purpose and balance.

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