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For more than three decades, Dr. Howard Farran has been one of the most recognized voices in dentistry. As the founder of Dentaltown, he helped build one of the first and largest online communities where dentists could connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. After years of practice ownership, podcasting, and speaking around the world, Howard eventually decided to retire.
But retirement did not last long. A new form of technology captured his attention in a way nothing had since the early days of the internet. That technology was ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence tool that has become a global phenomenon.
What began as curiosity turned into a renewed purpose. For Howard, AI reignited the same excitement he felt when he first discovered the power of digital communication decades ago.
Howard began his professional journey in 1987 after graduating from dental school. His early career was marked by innovation and a passion for education. He opened Today’s Dental, built it into a thriving practice, and later founded Dentaltown, which became the go-to platform for dental discussions long before social media existed.
He always believed in the motto, “No dentist should have to practice alone.” That belief drove his work for decades and helped thousands of professionals connect globally.
When Howard retired at age sixty, he sold his dental office and shifted focus to family and travel. He spent time with his mother in Kansas, visited his children and grandchildren across the country, and enjoyed the freedom that came with stepping away from daily clinical work.
After a few months, though, he began to feel an emptiness. Dentistry had been his life’s work, and stepping away left a gap that golf and travel could not fill. He missed the sense of purpose that came from building, creating, and helping others grow.
In 2023, one of Howard’s sons, a programmer, introduced him to ChatGPT. What seemed like a simple tech demo turned into a life-changing moment. Within minutes of seeing the tool in action, Howard realized he was witnessing another technological revolution similar to the birth of the internet in the 1990s.
He often describes that experience as the second coming of the internet era. The same thrill he once felt hearing “You’ve got mail” from AOL returned when he interacted with ChatGPT for the first time.
Back in the late 90s, Dentaltown was built on the idea that dentists could share knowledge and grow collectively through online discussions. AI, Howard realized, offered a new layer of possibility. Instead of simply sharing information, professionals could now analyze and retrieve knowledge instantly through natural conversation.
The potential for AI to learn from existing data and turn it into actionable answers reminded him of what made Dentaltown so powerful in its early days: connection, collaboration, and access to wisdom.
Over the years, Dentaltown has accumulated more than 10 million posts from dentists across the globe. Those posts contain answers to nearly every clinical and business question imaginable, from locating tricky MB2 canals to managing staff issues.
Howard realized this content could serve as an unmatched training ground for artificial intelligence. If AI could learn from those discussions, it could provide real-time solutions to dentists searching for guidance.
Instead of typing keywords into a search bar and scrolling through pages of threads, a dentist could simply ask a question like:
“What is the best method for finding MB2 canals in upper molars?”
Instantly, the AI could respond with insights drawn directly from years of expert discussions on Dentaltown. It would not only retrieve information but also organize it in a clear, practical format that dentists could apply immediately in their practices.
To bring this vision to life, Howard assembled a dedicated AI development team. What started as a small experiment quickly grew into a two-year project involving programming, data structuring, and model training. He admits the process took far longer than expected, but the team’s commitment remains strong.
The goal is simple yet transformative: to turn Dentaltown into an intelligent, interactive learning platform for every dental professional.
Howard firmly believes that while AI can improve efficiency, it cannot replace empathy or emotional connection. Dentistry relies heavily on human interaction, reassurance, and trust. Patients will always prefer a kind, caring professional over a machine that cannot feel or connect.
Instead of replacing dentists, AI will assist them by streamlining workflows, providing instant knowledge, and supporting decision-making.
Howard emphasizes that technology should never replace compassion. The most successful dentists will be those who combine digital intelligence with emotional intelligence. Patients remember kindness, clarity, and confidence more than any piece of technology.
For young dentists, AI offers access to mentorship that used to take years to develop. Instead of waiting for experience to accumulate, they can now tap into decades of shared wisdom in moments. This access shortens the learning curve and helps early professionals make informed decisions faster.
By integrating AI with Dentaltown, Howard hopes to create a global network that learns continuously. Every interaction, question, and update improves the system, turning the entire community into a living, evolving source of professional guidance.
For Howard, ChatGPT did more than spark technical curiosity. It reignited his sense of purpose. The technology gave him a new reason to contribute, teach, and innovate. It reminded him that growth never stops, even after retirement.
He often says, “AI reminded me why I loved dentistry. It’s not just about teeth; it’s about curiosity, learning, and helping people.”
The rise of AI is not just another technology trend. It represents a shift in how professionals think, learn, and work. For dentistry, it marks the beginning of a more connected, efficient, and informed future.
Howard’s journey from retirement to renewal shows what happens when openness meets opportunity. His story encourages every professional to stay curious and adapt to change rather than resist it.
AI may be new, but the spirit behind it, innovation, collaboration, and progress, has always been at the heart of dentistry.
For a deeper look into Howard’s experiences, insights, and plans for the future of Dentaltown, watch the full episode of The Dental Boardroom Podcast featuring Dr. Howard Farran and host Wes Read. Hear firsthand how curiosity and technology brought one of dentistry’s legends back to the spotlight.
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