AI and the future of Australian dentistry

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 2. September 2025

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BRISBANE, Australia: Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in Australian dentistry, and a new national review has mapped how the technology is reshaping practice, education and patient care. It shows that, far from being a futuristic add-on, AI is steadily embedding itself across the profession, offering both breakthroughs and challenges for the country’s oral health system.

As described in an editorial by Dental Tribune International, AI is powerfully reshaping many facets of dentistry. Consistent with this observation, the scoping review, led by researchers at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, identified AI as a tool already influencing clinical decision-making, treatment planning and diagnostic accuracy. In many areas, extending from orthodontics to pathology, machine learning systems are demonstrating the ability to spot conditions earlier and with greater precision than traditional methods. Predictive models are also being developed to anticipate disease progression, supporting dentists in tailoring care to individual patients.

AI’s reach goes beyond the clinic. In education, it is helping to expand training opportunities, particularly for students outside major metropolitan centres. Virtual learning environments and AI-assisted feedback are reducing the reliance on physical resources and creating more equitable access to professional development. For patients in rural and remote regions, wearable devices and teledentistry platforms powered by AI promise to bridge long-standing gaps in service delivery. The expansion of AI beyond the clinic is also exemplified in the rise of AI-powered mobile apps, which are now gaining rapid uptake across the world.

The review also makes clear that these gains come with significant responsibilities. The integration of AI introduces complex ethical and regulatory issues. Bias in algorithms, particularly where datasets fail to reflect Australia’s diverse population, risks entrenching inequities. Patient privacy and data governance remain central concerns as sensitive health information is increasingly handled by digital systems. The potential for machine error, coupled with the temptation for practitioners to rely too heavily on automated outputs, underscores the need for vigilance.

Responsibility in this new landscape remains firmly with practitioners. While AI-enhanced tools may be registered as medical devices, oversight by the Dental Board of Australia and the Therapeutic Goods Administration ensures that human judgment cannot be outsourced. Dentists must remain accountable for the care they deliver, regardless of the technology in use.

The review argues that Australia now faces a decisive moment. To harness AI’s benefits while safeguarding trust, the profession must strengthen its frameworks for regulation, training and collaboration. With robust governance and responsible uptake, AI could reduce disparities, ease workforce pressures and modernise the national approach to oral health. Without it, risks to equity, safety and professional autonomy could grow.

The study, titled “Artificial intelligence in Australian dental and general healthcare: A scoping review”, was published in the Australian Dental Journal on 10 August 2025, ahead of inclusion in an issue.