Compare AI vs human front desks for orthodontic clinics. Discover cost savings, 24/7 coverage, and recovered revenue with Orthia’s AI receptionist.
What a Human Front Desk Really Costs
Running a traditional human front desk is expensive and often inefficient. On average:
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Salary: ~$25.43/hour (DentalPost 2025)
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Benefits: ~90% of staff receive vacation, sick leave, dental, and retirement
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Other costs: training, turnover, coverage gaps, overtime, and sick days
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Average annual cost: ~$50,000–$55,000 per staff member
Scenario: In a typical 5-chair orthodontic clinic, the front desk struggles to manage high call volume, especially during morning and late-afternoon peak hours. Staff are often overwhelmed, which can lead to missed calls and patient frustration.
Hidden Costs Clinics Often Forget
Human front desks have additional indirect costs:
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Missed calls: ~100–150 per month, translating to ~$300,000/year in lost revenue
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Bottlenecks, slow follow-ups, and errors that affect patient satisfaction
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After-hours calls often require extra staff or outsourcing, further increasing costs
These hidden costs can quietly erode clinic profitability and limit growth potential.
Full Breakdown of AI Receptionist Cost Structure
AI receptionists like Orthia provide a scalable, cost-effective alternative:
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Subscription: $399–$599/month per location
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No benefits, overtime, or turnover
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24/7 coverage, handling multiple calls simultaneously
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Recovers missed calls, reduces labor costs, and increases productivity
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Scalable for single or multi-location clinics
Orthia ensures clinics never miss calls, even after hours, and allows staff to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
| Cost Type | Human Front Desk | AI Receptionist | Notes |
| Salary | ~$50,000/year | $399–$599/month | Subscription vs full-time salary |
| Benefits | Yes (~90%) | None | AI doesn’t require PTO or insurance |
| Overtime | Yes | None | AI works 24/7 |
| Missed Calls | High (~100–150/month) | Near 0 | AI captures after-hours calls |
| Training | 2–4 weeks | Initial setup | AI “learns over time” |
| Scalability | Add staff per location | Single AI system | Multi-location savings |
ROI Calculation Formula
Revenue recovered from missed calls + reduced overtime + reduced training costs – AI subscription = 12-month savings
Example:
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~$300,000 lost revenue recovered
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Staff freed 60% of phone time
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Total annual savings significantly outweigh subscription costs
Example Clinic Financial Model
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5-chair clinic:
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Human front desk: $50,000 salary + $10,000 benefits = $60,000/year
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AI receptionist: $599/month = $7,188/year
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Savings: ~$52,812 + additional recovered revenue
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New patients captured: 5–10 per month from after-hours calls
This demonstrates how AI front desk automation is both cost-effective and scalable.
FAQ: AI Receptionists for Orthodontic Clinics
Q1: How much can an AI receptionist save my clinic annually?
A1: Orthia can save $50K–$60K/year in staffing costs while recovering ~$300K in missed revenue.
Q2: Can AI handle after-hours calls and social media messages?
A2: Yes. Orthia operates 24/7, handling calls, website chat, and social media DMs.
Q3: Is AI scalable for multi-location practices?
A3: Absolutely. A single AI system can manage multiple locations efficiently.
Q4: How quickly can staff see benefits after implementing AI?
A4: Clinics typically notice reduced phone workload and recovered revenue within the first month.
AI receptionists like Orthia reduce labor costs, recover missed revenue, and scale efficiently across single or multi-location clinics.