In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redesigning multiple sectors, dentistry is no exception. Among the various models, the Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) stands out due to its accessibility, user-friendly interface, natural language processing ability, vast knowledge, and diverse functions. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health discussed the contributions of the ChatGPT AI model to oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). It also highlights that despite data privacy and algorithm validation concerns, ongoing research looks to strengthen AI’s position in dental surgery [1].
From dealing with oral pathologies, associated with a risk of malignancies to surgical planning and mock-up surgeries, AI tools like ChatGPT can be leveraged as the dentist’s aide. This article explores how ChatGPT is more than an internet buzz and can aid dental surgeons manage complex cases with accuracy and efficiency.
AI in Diagnostics
Machine learning (ML) is a system that takes in data input, stores, reads and analyses it, and identifies patterns. The repeated data exposure, analyses, and probable results trains (ML) systems, contributing to its self-improvement [2].
Another form of AI, large language models (LLMs), represents a form of AI developed to imitate human language comprehension [2]. Using both these concepts AI models like ChatGPT can identify minute, missed clinical signs, predict prognosis and guide dentists in OMFS and more.
A successful dental surgery needs a precise diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan. The quick adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry pivots on AI’s unique contributions to diagnoses and consultations [2]. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, analyses data, identifies patterns, matures through data input, and provides solutions. Most importantly, it mimics the person’s understanding to provide explanations accordingly.
AI-Assisted Treatment Planning
In addition to diagnostics, ChatGPT can assist in creating detailed and personalized treatment plans by analysing a patient’s medical history, current clinical condition, and relevant clinical guidelines. This helps optimize the treatment approach and ensure better patient outcomes. By using AI, dental professionals can offer more precise and tailored treatments, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care.
To help understand better, here is a cross-sectional study that explored “Assessing ChatGPT’s Diagnostic Accuracy and Therapeutic Strategies in Oral Pathologies: A Cross-Sectional Study”. 30 doctors were asked to evaluate the complexity of clinical scenarios and their alignment with ChatGPT’s differential diagnoses and treatment plans was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale.
The survey was conducted on 12 retrospective cases, and comparisons were made between case complexity and agreement or disagreement with diagnosis and treatment plans between dentists and ChatGPT.
Results showed ChatGPT’s high accuracy in providing differential diagnoses and acceptable treatment plans. The overall median difficulty level was 3, indicating acceptable agreement with ChatGPT’s differential diagnosis accuracy.
The key takeaway from the study showed that ChatGPT improved dental services by providing an objective, evidence-based approach that reduces errors and workloads.
However, potential biases have an impact on outcomes and warrant cautious use of dental AI for less experienced practitioners. More research is required to appreciate its potential properly.
The findings of this study pave the way for further exploration and development of AI applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation and refinement to maximize their benefits in clinical practice [2].
Possible Issues and Ethical Considerations
Despite ChatGPT’s evolution, like other AI models, data privacy, ethical issues, and the need for ongoing validation and the improvement of AI systems remain obstacles for ChatGPT too. Ensuring patient data privacy, obtaining informed consent for AI-assisted diagnostics, and maintaining the ‘human-touch’ in treatment planning are essential. It is important to strike a balance between innovation and ethical considerations to earn the trust and confidence of both healthcare providers and patients, when building AI tools [3].
Current Limitations of LLMs like ChatGPT
Despite its potential, the ChatGPT’s accuracy depends heavily on the quality, type, accuracy and scope of the data that is used to train the model. Upgrades and newer versions need to be more precise, succinct, trust-worthy and quicker than its predecessors. ChatGPT, though available for all, cannot be used to its full capacity by everyone. Older versions, free versions and simple sign-ups may not be the ideal ones for dental care.
Good customer support, reliable resources and extensive trainings for dentists remains the gold standard to refine AI’s true skills and ensure they are used reliably in clinical settings.
Future Direction of AI Tools in Dental Surgery
The future of AI in oral and maxillofacial pathology looks promising. Continuous advancements in machine learning and AI models like ChatGPT will likely lead to more sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools.
Collaborations between AI developers and dental surgeons will help understand and use the full potential of these technologies. Although evolving, ChatGPT is already a valuable clinical assistant. However, it is nowhere near replacing the human brain. Before being deployed in a clinical setting, it is essential to ensure that the model can provide accurate and reliable information, as an add-on to what the expert dentists already know [4].
The ChatGPT model should be continually updated and improved based on user feedback to address its limitations.
The Global Dentists’ Pool – A New Way to Support Dental Innovation Progress
The Global Dentists’ Pool is an opportunity for both dental device/software and AI companiesto collaborate more closely with dentists.
For dental companies –
With more than 100 dentists spread across 21 countries, this Pool supports dental companies by helping them
(1) validate their design ideas by running surveys in a large global cohort of practitioners and/or
(2) hire premium dental advisors to support various clinical, regulatory, marketing and sales projects.
These are all dentists with specialized MedTech expertise in different domains. The core focus is to avoid hiring multiple ‘non-dental trained’ freelancers and consultants and hire premium dental advisors instead, who are the perfect single substitute for multiple human resources, in the form of one highly specialized advisor.
For dentists surgeons –
The Global Dentists’ Pool provides dentists, both general dentists and specialists, with opportunities to participate in dental projects without disrupting their clinical practice. The number of hours of engagement is flexible and dentists can upskill themselves by taking the “premium dental advisor program” which teaches how devices are made with medical device industry fundamentals.
If you would like to engage with us to support your project or advance your dental career, then reach out to us at contactus@namnrpro.org.
Acknowledgments
To my esteemed Sir for his out-of-the-box imagination and for inspiring me to think out loud.
Disclaimers
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and are not necessarily shared by NamNR Pro.
References
- Araz Qadir Abdalla, Tahir Abdullah Aziz,ChatGPT: A game-changer in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, Volume 2, 2024.
- Uranbey Ö, Özbey F, Kaygısız Ö, Ayrancı F. Assessing ChatGPT’s Diagnostic Accuracy and Therapeutic Strategies in Oral Pathologies: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2024 Apr 19;16(4):e58607. doi: 10.7759/cureus.58607. PMID: 38770501; PMCID: PMC11102887.
- Karobari MI, Suryawanshi H, Patil SR. Revolutionizing oral and maxillofacial surgery: ChatGPT’s impact on decision support, patient communication, and continuing education. Int J Surg. 2024 Jun 1;110(6):3143-3145. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001286. PMID: 38446838; PMCID: PMC11175733.
- Garg RK, Urs VL, Agarwal AA, Chaudhary SK, Paliwal V, Kar SK. Exploring the role of ChatGPT in patient care (diagnosis and treatment) and medical research: A systematic review. Health Promot Perspect. 2023 Sep 11;13(3):183-191. doi: 10.34172/hpp.2023.22. PMID: 37808939; PMCID: PMC10558973.
Author information
Aminah Ikram Ullah
A general dentist with a special interest in oral surgery and teaching, Dr. Aminah can be found experimenting with AI models, sipping on extra-strong cups of chai (tea), and dreaming up new ways to make dental education as painless as possible when not grading exams or performing surgeries on a mission to show that even the most traditional fields can benefit from a touch of modern innovation.
Dental Yoda 