Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Patient Education and Communication in Dentistry

Effective patient education and communication are integral components of quality dental care, contributing to informed decision-making, treatment compliance, and positive clinical outcomes. However, traditional methods face challenges such as language barriers, anxiety, and information retention issues. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents innovative solutions to enhance patient engagement and communication in dentistry. This review explores the transformative role of AI in redefining patient education and communication strategies, focusing on applications, benefits, challenges, and future directions. A literature search identified articles from 2018 to 2024, encompassing empirical evidence and conceptual frameworks related to AI in dental patient engagement and communication. Key findings reveal AI's potential to offer personalized educational materials, virtual consultations, language translation tools, and virtual reality simulations, improving patient understanding and experience. Despite advancements, concerns about overreliance, accuracy, implementation costs, patient acceptance, privacy, and regulatory compliance persist. Future implications suggest AI's ability to track patient progress, analyze feedback, streamline administrative processes, and provide ongoing support, enhancing oral health outcomes. However, ethical, regulatory, and equity considerations require attention for responsible AI deployment and widespread adoption. Overall, AI holds promise for revolutionizing dental patient education, communication, and care delivery, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to address emerging challenges and maximize benefits.