Patients’ Perspectives on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to integrate into healthcare, a recent multinational study conducted by Aarhus University provides insight into how dental patients perceive its expanding role in diagnostic processes. The research reveals that while patients are cautiously optimistic about AI's potential to improve accuracy and efficiency in dental imaging, they firmly believe that human oversight remains essential.

Digital imaging has long been a routine part of dental checkups—think of the classic X-ray scans where patients often rest their jaws under the machine while dentists examine the results. Now, with AI's growing capabilities, there's an increasing likelihood that computer algorithms will interpret these images instead of, or alongside, human professionals. This shift has sparked questions about patient acceptance and trust.

The study, published in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, explored patient attitudes across six countries, highlighting varied cultural perceptions. For example, participants from Brazil showed more openness to AI replacing dentists in certain scenarios, possibly influenced by frustrations related to long wait times and inconsistent care in their healthcare system.

Patients generally viewed AI as a promising assistant that could support diagnostic accuracy and streamline appointments. However, concerns persist around data privacy and the possibility of increased healthcare costs instead of savings. Notably, the majority emphasized that AI should not operate autonomously; human clinicians must remain in control to ensure safety and ethical standards.

This perspective aligns with health professionals' views, who see AI as a beneficial tool rather than a replacement for dentists. Experts stress the importance of transparent communication about AI's capabilities and limitations. Ongoing education for both clinicians and patients is vital to foster trust and understanding.

Looking toward the future, researchers anticipate that public attitudes will evolve as AI becomes more familiar and demonstrably reliable. Aarhus University plans to incorporate AI training into the dental curriculum starting in 2026 and is developing communication tools to help clinics clearly explain AI's role in dental care.

Overall, this study underscores the importance of maintaining a balance: leveraging AI's benefits while upholding human judgment to maximize patient safety and trust.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-patients-yesish-ai-dentistry.html