(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
A PROFOUND change is happening to dental health care.
And Artificial Intelligence is very much a part of it in the changing landscape of dentistry.
AI is a force for change, a paradigm shift, a way to transform dentistry into ways never imagined before. Many dentists are already using AI technology to change the way the dental clinic works.
Take a look at digital imaging used by dentists. By incorporating AI technology, dentists can now analyze X-rays a lot more faster, finding issues as simple as cavities and as complicated as bone loss.
According to the Journal of Dental Sciences, AI provides specialized treatment procedures for individual dental patients. When diagnosing a patient, for instance, an imaging system that uses AI technology enables dentists to consider treatment procedures recommended by AI algorithms or instructions.
On the other hand, patients can understand their conditions a lot better when colors are added to X-rays and visualize oral conditions. Image overlays can show the progression of decay and bone loss over a given time frame
Electronic or virtual assistants also use algorithms to provide information 24/7. They schedule appointments and digital payments, for example, which smoothens admin tasks and reduce the time patients have to wait for appointments.
In other words, AI is already in the dental clinic, or dental office, a term more popular in this AI Age.
In the not too distant future, AI can help dentists analyze huge data, including patient habits, medical and dental charts, health history, demographics, and even genetics.
In the United States, AI is already helping the Mayo Clinic analyze and predict health risks. It is helping to link dentists with medical doctors to prevent or treat the progression of diseases. Called the predictive capability, AI is leading dentistry to manage and minimize dental issues.
AI applications could reduce annual healthcare costs in the United States by $150 billion in 2026, the U.S. National Institutes of Health estimates. This way, it may lead to less treatment procedures and less hospitalizations for dental patients.
AI increases the ability of dentists to see what is difficult to see with the naked eye. AI is simply the 21st model of the magnification loupes that dentists use. It gives dentists more data that provide the inform or scientific basis for their decision-making process.
And no, AI won’t replace jobs. Instead, by using AI, workers can save time and increase efficiency.
At the end of the day, patients benefit.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
