AI in dentistry
Picture: unsplash / omilaev
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of those subjects that seems to dominate every business conversation now, and dentistry is no exception. Depending on who you listen to, AI is either about to revolutionise healthcare or replace half the jobs in it. The reality, as is often the case, lies somewhere in between.
From my perspective, AI is not here to replace dentists; it is here to support them. Across the profession we are already seeing AI helping clinicians analyse radiographs, support treatment planning, streamline administration and improve patient communication. Used well, these technologies can free up valuable time, improve consistency and allow dental teams to focus on what they do best; delivering excellent patient care.
At Independent Care Plans, we work with practices that are constantly adapting to new technologies, changing patient expectations and an increasingly demanding regulatory environment. AI is simply the latest development that practices need to understand and manage effectively. What strikes me, however, is that much of the conversation focuses on what AI can do for dentistry. Far less attention is being paid to what AI is already doing to dentistry.
One example is the growing number of patient complaints that are being drafted using artificial intelligence. Medical defence organisation MDDUS has identified this as an emerging issue for the profession. Helen Kaney, Head of Dental Division at MDDUS, said: “We are noting an increase in the use of AI by patients when making complaints or when trying to pursue a claim without formal legal advice.”
She added that many of these complaints were lengthy, repetitive and often included legal references that appeared convincing but were not always accurate. “The AI-generated patient complaint runs to multiple pages of repetitive material and often quotes incorrect legislation for the jurisdiction concerned,” she said.
That does not mean the complaint itself lacks merit. Every concern deserves to be considered carefully and professionally; however, it does illustrate how AI is changing the environment in which practices operate. Resolving complaints can become more time-consuming, more stressful and more costly for everyone involved.
The challenge works both ways. As dentists begin using AI to assist with administration or correspondence, they also need to think carefully about confidentiality and governance. “Members should be aware that AI tools commonly used may not be safe to input patient identifiable information,” said Helen. “Such action puts the clinician at risk. Careful consideration of the use of AI from a risk management perspective is required.”
I think that is sound advice. Technology should always support professional judgement, not replace it. No artificial intelligence system can replicate the trust between a patient and their dentist; the reassurance provided during a difficult appointment or the experience that comes from years of clinical practice. Nor should it.
The practices that will benefit most from AI will not necessarily be those using the greatest number of digital tools; they will be the ones that introduce technology thoughtfully, establish clear policies, train their teams properly and continue to put patient care at the centre of everything they do.
That is where I believe organisations like Independent Care Plans can play an important role. Good practice management has always been about balancing innovation with responsibility. AI simply adds another dimension to that.
There is little doubt that artificial intelligence will become an increasingly familiar part of modern dentistry. It has enormous potential to improve efficiency, support diagnosis and enhance the patient experience.
But the future of dentistry won’t be defined by artificial intelligence alone. It will be defined by how successfully dentists combine new technology with the professionalism, empathy and clinical judgement that have always been the foundations of outstanding patient care.
Robert Donald is the Marketing Director at Independent Care Plans.
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