Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Dentistry

"Narrow" artificial intelligence (AI), as opposed to "general" AI, keenly focuses on a single task and performs that task extremely well, such that it is capable of matching expert human performance in quality and far surpassing it in speed. Moreover, narrow AI uncomplainingly accepts tasks that people typically do not want to do, get tired of doing, or make mistakes doing. The AI that is projected to transform dentistry is narrow AI. It is anticipated that AI will bring similar efficiencies to dentistry as those seen in other healthcare areas. Factors that make the dental profession ripe for AI growth include the entrepreneurial and consumer-oriented nature of the profession, the fact that the focus of care is concentrated on a single area of the body, and the rising rate of practice consolidation. One of the effects of AI that is expected to improve patient care is increased consistency in dental diagnoses and treatment. This article provides a general overview of AI and its anticipated impact on the future of dentistry.