eGDCGDC publishes review of research into AI and dental service provision
We have published a report examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is currently being used in dental services and the potential implications for dental professionals, patients and the wider sector.
The review, conducted by Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, analysed 45 international studies from 2020 onwards. The review examined studies from 12 countries, with the majority from China (18) and the US (13). No UK studies were found to be included in the review.
The research found that most of the current AI applications in dentistry fall into three categories:
- Robotics, particularly in implant surgery, where systems such as the Yomi robot assist with precision placement
- Deep learning, used in the identification and treatment of caries, with patients asked to use AI smartphone applications to take intraoral photographs to be analysed by smartphone applications
- Supervised machine learning, with applications in paediatric dentistry, such as predicting and identifying childhood caries.
While the research indicates promising benefits of AI, including improved accuracy, enhanced patient outcomes, and opportunities for remote care, it also highlights risks, such as the use of robotics in implant surgery patients with poor bone quality. It was also noted that the presence of the machinery may increase patient anxiety. Other challenges include high costs, training requirements, patient compliance issues, and the need for clinical oversight.
The review shows that, despite growing interest and technological advancements, real-world implementation of AI in dental services remains limited. Significant gaps exist in the evidence relating to best practice guidelines, large-scale trials, UK-specific applications, ethical considerations, data protection, and its impact on equality, diversity and inclusion.