Let’s face it—dealing with insurance is the least favorite part of running a practice. But what if AI could take that burden off your plate without replacing your team? In this episode, I’m joined by Bruce Bell and Mike Nelson of Stratus, and we’re breaking down how artificial intelligence is making life easier for your front desk, improving patient experience, and reclaiming your time—one insurance call at a time.

AI isn’t a trend—it’s a tool. And it’s changing how we work. In this conversation with Bruce and Mike from Stratus, we dive into how their platform helps practices automate insurance verification. Whether you’re tired of hold music or frustrated by inconsistent EOBs, Stratus could be a total game-changer.

We also explore how AI is showing up across the dental industry—from clinical tools like Pearl and Overjet to admin solutions that reduce overhead and burnout. You’ll hear how practices are actually using these tools (and what most are missing out on). And if you’re fee-for-service, yes—there’s still a reason to listen.

Finally, we walk through how to actually bring AI into your practice—without getting overwhelmed or oversold. Because this isn’t just about adopting new tech. It’s about building a smarter, leaner, more enjoyable practice—for you and your team.

We covered a lot of ground in this episode—here are a few big takeaways I don’t want you to miss:

• AI isn’t here to replace your team—it’s here to free them up to focus on what truly matters.
• Stratus automates insurance verification, reducing costly errors and cutting down time spent on the phone with insurance companies.
• Even fee-for-service practices are leveraging AI to offer added transparency and value to their patients.
• Most dental offices underutilize their software tools—AI can bring critical insights to the surface and help teams take smarter action.
• AI is a powerful enhancement, not a replacement—use it to support your systems, but always double-check when it matters.

‍

—

Key Takeaways

00:44 Introduction to AI in Dentistry  

02:33 Meet the Guests: Bruce Bell and Mike Nelson of Stratus

02:58 What Stratus Does and How It Streamlines Insurance Verification  

07:52 Broader Impact of AI Across the Dental Industry  

12:28 Is AI Replacing Jobs or Enhancing Roles?  

17:03 How to Identify the Right AI Tools for Your Practice  

19:28 Who Benefits Most from Stratus (and Why)  

25:27 Addressing the Limitations and Misconceptions Around AI  

28:40 Real-Life Wins: Saving Time, Reducing Write-Offs, and Improving Work-Life Balance  

30:26 Final Thoughts and Lightning Round with Bruce & Mike 

‍

‍

—

Connect with Bruce & Mike

Learn more about Stratus AI: www.useStratus.com

👉 Be sure to mention you heard about them on the Raving Patients Podcast to get the VIP treatment.

‍

—

‍

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com

‍

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/

‍

This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/

‍

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

‍