From Legacy Practice to AI-Powered Dentistry
Dr. Srinath Reddy has been part of dentistry for as long as he can remember.
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"Earlier, it was all a clinical examination. There was no time for intraoral cameras or scanners.
We focused on the chief complaint, and moved on."
After decades in a high-volume, traditional practice where his family treated 100–150 patients daily, Dr. Reddy decided to open his own clinic in Nellore. But unlike his father’s era, the dental landscape had changed, more dentists were opening around town, patient flow was diffusing, and competition was rising.
That’s when he discovered scanO. Not through a conference or a sales call, but on Instagram.
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“I saw the AI robot on Insta, it fascinated me. I immediately thought, ‘I should be the first one in Nellore to have this,’ he recalls. ‘I didn’t want anyone else in the district to claim they had an AI clinic before I did.’”
The First AI Clinic in Nellore District
In September 2024, Srinath Dental Clinic became Nellore’s first AI-powered dental clinic- powered by scanO.
Rather than restricting the device to his dental space upstairs, Dr. Reddy did something unconventional: He installed scanO AIR in the reception area of his wife’s dermatology clinic, located on the ground floor.
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“She sees around 80–100 patients a day. While they wait, my nurse tells them they can get a free AI dental scan.
If they’re interested, they come upstairs for consultation,”
This cross-specialty placement created a steady awareness pipeline, attracting patients who had never planned to visit a dentist that day.
Initially, I kept the device in my clinic, but then I realized- patients who come here are already convinced. The real opportunity lies in those who never thought of visiting a dentist,”
Before scanO: High Volume, Limited Awareness
Working in his father’s legacy clinic, Dr. Reddy’s days were relentless- hundreds of patients, minimal downtime, and barely enough time to explain treatment plans.
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“Earlier, it was all a clinical examination. There was no time for intraoral cameras or scanners.
We focused on the chief complaint, and moved on.”
With scanO, the conversation changed.
Now, patients walk in already aware of their dental conditions, having seen their scans and reports firsthand.
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"When a patient comes after scanning, they’re mentally prepared that some treatment might be needed.
Even if I add a few more recommendations, they’re not surprised they already trust the machine."
Adoption and Confidence in AI
While Dr. Reddy acknowledges that AI isn’t perfect, he believes in using it alongside his expertise.
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"I tell my patients— it's a machine, and I'm human. Together, we’ll find the best solution."
He notices occasional issues with clarity or lighting in scans, especially around third molars,
but adds that these are minor.
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"Whatever the camera sees, the report reflects. Sometimes I take OPG or intraoral pictures for better
visibility. But as a screening tool, scanO is brilliant."
Impact on Patients and Practice
Patients are visibly intrigued by AI-assisted screening.
“AI is the latest fad, people believe what it shows them” he says with a smile.
By integrating scanO reports into his consultations, Dr. Reddy finds that trust and treatment acceptance have grown significantly.
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“Patients often tell me, ‘Doctor, we didn’t know we had so many issues.’ Awareness is half the battle.
Once they see it visually, they become more responsible about their oral health.”
In fact, patients now save their reports on WhatsApp, often sharing them with family and friends.
Over the past year, 20 new patients have visited his clinic directly after seeing their scanO reports downstairs without any external marketing or referral programs.
One scan leads to another. If one person scans, their relatives follow. It spreads by word of mouth.
Over the past year, 20 new patients have visited his clinic directly after seeing their scanO reports downstairs without any external marketing or referral programs.
Efficiency and Workflow
Despite high awareness and interest, Dr. Reddy emphasizes that his consultation approach remains thorough.
He continues to spend time with each patient, alongside his two junior specialists—an endodontist and a periodontist.
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"scanO doesn’t save time for me— but it prepares the patient. That’s the real benefit. They already know what’s coming; I just confirm it."
He doesn’t yet use scanO Engage or a PMS system, preferring manual documentation.
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"Old habits die hard," he laughs, "but even my nurse now follows up monthly using the scanO list."
Camps, Creativity, and Community Awareness
Dr. Reddy has also experimented with scanO in school dental camps, though he admits that follow-up conversions have been limited so far. Still, he sees immense potential in using AI screening for awareness.
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“I tell people, instead of putting visiting cards in temples, why not install something like this?
It’s engaging and makes people curious. Awareness comes before treatment.”
For him, even the dermatology clinic setup works as a daily awareness camp.
While they wait downstairs, they scan. It’s free. I have a big sign board saying ‘Free Dental Scan.’ For me, that’s the first step to better dental health in my city.
Experience with scanO Support
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"Installation was smooth, training was quick, and the team was responsive."
He finds scanO easy enough that even his driver can set it up for camps.
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"You can split it in two parts, put it in the car, and you're ready. Just connect to Wi-Fi and you're good to go."
Key Highlights
| Metric |
Impact |
| Clinic Type |
First AI-powered dental clinic in Nellore |
| Years in Practice |
28 years |
| AI Awareness Conversion |
20 new patients via scanO in first year |
| Case Acceptance (AI-assisted) |
100% patient trust in AI reports |
| Primary Use Case |
Awareness, pre-consult screening |
| Recommendation Score |
9/10 |
| Setup Innovation |
scanO Air placed in dermatology OPD for cross-specialty awareness |
Final Thoughts
When asked whether he’d recommend scanO to other dentists, Dr. Reddy doesn’t hesitate.
Definitely. Patients want something new and different. When you tell them to scan themselves, not by a dentist but by a robot ,they’re immediately interested. It removes their fear.
He rates scanO a 9 out of 10, not just for its technology, but for its ability to build trust and awareness.
Patients come back and say ‘Doctor, you told me this last year, and now I’ve lost that tooth.’ The scan had already shown it. That’s when they realize, AI doesn’t lie.
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"Awareness comes before treatment. scanO helps me make patients realize what's happening in their mouth that's half the battle won."
— Dr. Srinath Reddy
Srinath Dental Clinic, Nellore
★★★★★★★★★★
9/10
Recommendation Rating
Would recommend scanO to other dentists
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