Most people slow down after 40 years in dentistry. Dr. Mark Cruz opened a practice three times the size of his last one.

This year, he moved his restorative and periodontal practice into a new facility, brought on partners, and folded in an airway-focused approach to care – “treating the patient attached to the teeth, not just the teeth attached to the patient.

Last Updated: August 2026
For the 2026 tax year, dental practices can deduct up to $2,560,000 in qualifying technology and equipment purchases under Section 179, with the deduction phasing out once total purchases exceed $4,090,000. Equipment and software must be purchased or financed and placed into service by December 31, 2026.

You know your practice needs it.

A 2026 comparison of dental AI tools for imaging, voice charting, AI receptionists and insurance verification — plus how to find the exact stack that fits your PMS and imaging software.

Kim Shepherd was “scared to death” when her small IT provider merged into a larger company. Thirteen years later, Aadland Dental Group has grown from one doctor to three — and Kim says she never has to think about her IT. Here’s her story, in her own words.

You call your IT company because something's wrong. Maybe it's your imaging sensor. Maybe your whole network just went dark ten minutes before your first patient.

And what do you get? Non-stop ringing or “Leave a message and…” You never even get to speak to a person.

Windows Server 2016 reaches the end of Microsoft's extended support on January 12, 2027. After that, it stops receiving security patches, bug fixes, and technical support. The server keeps running, but new vulnerabilities discovered after that date are never patched — which creates compliance risk (HIPAA, PCI DSS) and can jeopardize cyber insurance coverage if a breach occurs on an unsupported system.

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and no longer receives free security updates. If you're still using it, your options are: upgrade to Windows 11 (if your hardware qualifies), enroll in paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) as a temporary bridge, or replace machines that can't support Windows 11. Consumer ESU coverage ends October 13, 2026; business ESU can extend coverage through October 2027 at a higher cost.

You're dealing with imaging systems that need near-zero downtime. Practice management software with very specific technology and support requirements. HIPAA compliance that demands constant vigilance. And patients who expect a good experience every time they step into your office.

It's the kind of moment that stops everything.

Someone on the dental team clicks something they shouldn't in the midst of a busy afternoon. And just like that, a patient file is gone.

The phone is ringing. The next patient is already in the chair.

Every time HIPAA has updated something over the past decade, most dental offices have handled it the same way. Maybe a quick policy printout gets added to the binder in the back office. A staff training checkbox gets ticked. The compliance folder gets dusted off and put back on the shelf.