Scoping review of artificial intelligence and immersive digital tools in dental education

The aim of this scoping review is to examine artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual teaching models within the context of dental education, establish methods to address the resources being investigated, and ultimately augment this approach for future scientific research.

To evaluate the applications of AI and immersive technology, a scoping literature review was conducted using the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library database from the years 2018 to May 19, 2021. Additionally, a manual search was completed. The search strategy was formulated according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Studies that addressed the current uses of virtual devices and their revolutionary potential in dental education were categorized separately for further evaluation.

Of the 2500 articles found in our initial search results, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria set for this review. The selected studies were directly related to AI and immersive tools in dental education.

To our knowledge, there are very few comprehensive literature reviews identifying the applications and efficacy of virtual and AI-driven tools in dental education. With limited verifiable evidence, an improved understanding of virtual and AI domains is needed to enable dental students to adapt to changes within and beyond their dental training education. To increase the scientific value of digital-related research, the scientific community must quickly define guidelines to enhance methodological approaches in order to effectively digitalize dentistry.