Study illuminates patient perspectives on AI in dentistry

Fraser Macdonald, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 10 June 2025

save

AARHUS, Denmark: As the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the dental industry continues to accelerate, there appears to be a growing consensus as to its rightful function: this immensely powerful tool should augment and never displace human evaluation and judgement. To date, this purposeful balancing of human and machine has been considered mainly from a clinical perspective, but seeking to capture how patients perceive the relationship is the focus of a recent multinational study led by researchers at Aarhus University.

As previously covered in detail by Dental Tribune International, one of the crucial applications of AI in dentistry is imaging diagnostics, in which AI-supported software is capable of identifying conditions with accuracy and rapidity based on training on large sets of visual data. Seeking to understand how patients view the use of AI in this specific area of dentistry, the researchers undertook an extensive survey of 2,581 patients from across Brazil, Denmark, France, Norway, Portugal and the US.

In terms of the study’s findings, of utmost importance is that the vast majority of participants viewed AI positively as a tool to support, rather than replace, dentists. They emphasised the importance of human oversight, raised concerns about data privacy and questioned whether AI might drive up healthcare costs. Attitudes varied across locations: participants in Brazil appeared more open to the idea of AI fully replacing dentists, whereas those in Denmark and Norway were more sceptical of its diagnostic abilities. Interestingly, people with higher levels of education and greater familiarity with AI tended to have more confidence in its potential, but were also more likely to prefer human supervision.

Speaking in a university news release, study co-author Dr Ruben Pauwels, an associate professor in the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health at Aarhus University, stated: “We saw a gap in the conversation. Dentists and technologists are often the focus—but patients’ voices matter if AI is to be successfully implemented.”

“Our findings also show how important it is to communicate clearly about when and how we use AI and actively seek out educational opportunities for both professionals and patients to understand AI capabilities and limits. Lastly, we have a responsibility to continuously evaluate and validate AI systems to ensure their reliability and effectiveness in clinical practice.”

The study, titled “Patient perceptions of artificial intelligence in dental imaging diagnostics: A multicentre survey”, was published online on 13 March 2025 in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, ahead of inclusion in an issue.

Topics:

Tags:

Academic research Artificial intelligence Dental patients Diagnostics

To post a reply please login or register

Infallible precision? The multifaceted role of AI in dentistry

The intrusion of artificial intelligence (AI) into human life, especially within advanced capitalist economies, has been nothing less than epochal. Its ...

HKU researchers launch world’s first AI-based oral oncology clinic

HONG KONG: Oral cancer remains a significant global health concern, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts and promote early ...

Smart dentistry: How AI is redefining the digital dental workflow

While CAD/CAM technology has traditionally been at the heart of digital dentistry, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining what is ...

Perfected imperfection? The influence of artificial intelligence in orthodontics

LEIPZIG, Germany: Borne by the currents of economic efficiency, time-saving and convenience, artificial intelligence (AI) continues its steady yet rigorous ...

Revolutionising 3D printing with artificial intelligence

3D printing, commonly referred to as additive manufacturing (AM), is transforming many industries, including dental, biomedical, aerospace, construction and...

Demystifying artificial intelligence: A welcome guide for the entire dental team

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both curiosity and scepticism across numerous professions, including dentistry. For many, the term ...

Education

Live webinar
Wednesday, 18. June 2025
02:00 CET (Oslo)