When Awareness Comes Before Treatment: How Mittal Dental Clinic Is Changing Dental Mindsets in Jaipur

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‍“AI is everywhere today. The point is not to depend on it, but to use it wisely.”

This belief guides daily practice at Mittal Dental Clinic in Jaipur, led by Dr Tanu Agrawal. The intent behind introducing AI into dentistry here was never about trends or novelty. It was about awareness. Helping patients understand dental issues early, without fear, and before they ever reached the dental chair.

Dentistry itself did not need to change. Patient understanding did.

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The core problem: dental issues remain invisible to patients

Unlike many medical conditions, dental problems are difficult for patients to notice on their own.

They cannot see what is happening inside their mouth.
They rely entirely on explanation.
They often delay visits because nothing hurts yet.

This lack of visibility creates myths, especially among patients in the 40 plus and 50 plus age groups. Many believe regular checkups will make things worse or are unnecessary unless pain appears.

As a result, prevention is postponed and dentistry becomes reactive.

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A mindset shift before technology

Dr Tanu Agrawal’s approach to AI started with a clear boundary.

AI is a medium to enhance practice, not something to replace clinical judgment.

The goal was to help patients become less unaware of their oral health and more confident about seeking care early. The focus was on changing patient mindset, not creating dependence on machines.

That belief shaped how scanO was introduced into the clinic and OPD flow.

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Why the traditional OPD flow was limiting

As part of a multispeciality hospital setting, Mittal Dental Clinic sees a steady flow of patients visiting for other health concerns.

Dental issues often go unnoticed.
Patients walk past dental care unless pain forces attention.
By the time they meet a dentist, anxiety is already present.

Without early screening, dentistry stays disconnected from routine healthcare conversations. Opportunities for early intervention are missed simply because no one flags the issue in time.

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Where scanO became relevant

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This is where scanO began supporting patient awareness.

Installed at the reception and OPD level, scanO allows patients to undergo a basic dental screening as soon as they enter the hospital. Through photographs and visual reports sent directly to their phones, patients can see what is happening inside their mouth.

They do not need to understand medical terminology.
They can see the scan themselves.

Dentists reviewing the scans consistently confirmed the same findings, reinforcing trust in the process. The system proved accurate and reliable, serving as an early awareness tool rather than a replacement for diagnosis.

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What changed in patient awareness

The most noticeable change was not clinical. It was psychological.

Patients who were previously unaware became informed.
Patients who delayed checkups became curious.
Patients who feared dental visits became open to discussion.

Educational videos within the scan helped address common myths and explained why regular checkups matter. This was particularly impactful for older patients who had avoided dentists for years.

As Dr Tanu Agrawal observed, the mindset change was greater in patients than in doctors.

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Prevention becomes part of everyday healthcare

By integrating dental screening into the OPD flow, dentistry became part of routine healthcare instead of a separate, fear-driven visit.

Patients began to understand that dental care is not expensive when addressed early. Regular checkups prevent complex procedures later.

scanO helped bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Doctors guided care.
Patients arrived prepared.

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Building continuity and trust

The long-term vision at Mittal Dental Clinic is rooted in consistency.

The plan is to expand services across Jaipur, delivering the same level of awareness, transparency, and patient education everywhere. The aim is simple.

No gap between doctor and patient.
No gap between screening and treatment.
No gap between technology and trust.

AI supports better diagnosis and clearer conversations, while clinical judgment remains central.

Looking ahead

This journey shows that the future of dentistry is not about replacing clinicians or overwhelming patients with technology.

It is about making oral health visible.
About reducing ignorance through early screening.
About helping patients understand before they decide.

When awareness comes first, care follows naturally.That is how the clinic of the future is taking shape at Mittal Dental Clinic in Jaipur.