UK Dental Clinics Report Zero Missed Calls Following AI Receptionist Rollout
In a striking demonstration of how artificial intelligence can reshape everyday clinical operations, sixty-five dental practices across the United Kingdom have reported that they have not missed a single patient phone call since introducing an AI-powered receptionist earlier this year. The system, known as Wilma AI and developed by Wildix in partnership with RoboReception, has been in place since May and has already handled more than 50,000 calls while significantly transforming both patient communication and staff workflow.
📈 A Measurable Impact on Practice Efficiency
Before the rollout of the AI receptionist, participating dental practices estimated that as many as one in three incoming calls — roughly 35% — went unanswered, often because staff were occupied assisting patients at the front desk or providing chairside support. Missed calls frequently translated into missed opportunities for new appointments and lost revenue, not to mention patient frustration.
Since the introduction of Wilma AI, those missed calls have virtually disappeared. Data provided by RoboReception shows that the system is able to completely resolve approximately 96% of all patient calls independently, while seamlessly transferring the remaining 4% of more complex cases to human staff members. This balance ensures that simple inquiries and appointment scheduling are handled instantly, while issues requiring a personal touch continue to receive appropriate human attention.
The results have been dramatic: appointment booking rates have increased from 18% to 70%, representing a substantial boost in practice productivity. Meanwhile, last-minute cancellations have fallen by 75%, freeing up schedules and ensuring that valuable appointment slots are not wasted. The AI has also helped generate the equivalent of US$1.2 million (around £700,000) in new patient value, while saving staff over 2,000 hours of administrative time that can now be redirected toward direct patient care.
🦷 Designed with Dental Clinics in Mind
Unlike generic call-handling software, the RoboReception platform was built with dentistry’s specific demands in mind. The system allows clinics to set preferences for when AI should handle calls, when staff should take over, and how patient data should be recorded and integrated into existing practice management systems. In this way, the AI does not replace receptionists but instead works alongside them, ensuring that every patient interaction is captured while still preserving the flexibility and personal service that dental offices value.
Dr. Grant McAree, one of RoboReception’s co-founders and a practicing dentist, noted that dental professionals are rarely trained in business management during their education, which often leaves them unprepared for the operational challenges of running a busy clinic. “We are taught how to look after patients, not how to answer phones or manage a business pipeline,” McAree explained. “Every missed call is potentially a missed patient, and unfortunately, many clinics are overwhelmed with phones ringing while staff are already fully engaged in face-to-face care.”
By automating the first layer of communication, Wilma AI allows clinics to eliminate those missed opportunities, ensuring that every call is answered promptly while also freeing human staff to focus on delivering the in-person care that patients expect.
🌍 Expansion Beyond the UK
The success of the pilot program has sparked international interest. RoboReception and Wildix have already announced plans to extend the rollout to more than 500 practices worldwide, with expansion set to reach Ireland, Australia, and potentially other markets in the coming year. If results continue to mirror the UK pilot, AI reception systems could soon become a standard part of dental practice operations globally, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and patient communication.
📑 Original Article
“65 British dental practices report zero missed calls after AI receptionist rollout”
Published September 19, 2025 — Oral Health Group