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ARTICLE · 09 MARCH 2026

When AI Answers The Phone: Heartland Dental's Impact

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A recent Illinois federal court decision shows that when AI listens in on calls, legal questions follow. The putative class action case is Megan Lisota v. Heartland Dental, LLC, et al. It was brought against two...

United StatesTechnology
Liisa Thomas
Liisa Thomas
David Poell
David Poell
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A recent Illinois federal court decision shows that when AI listens in on calls, legal questions follow. The putative class action case is Megan Lisota v. Heartland Dental, LLC, et al. It was brought against two entities: Heartland Dental, LLC and its partner, RingCentral, Inc. Heartland Dental provides administrative and overflow call center services to dental clinics. In providing its services, it contracts with RingCentral. RingCentral is a provider of cloud-based, AI-supported telephone services. 

According to plaintiff’s complaint, RingCentral's AI software is designed to capture and transcribe real time call details from patient, payer, and provider calls. Heartland used these details, the plaintiffs alleged, to identify and triage callers. It also used them to identify missed opportunities to schedule dental appointments. The plaintiff, a patient, alleged these activities constituted eavesdropping in violation of the Federal Wiretap Act. 

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