Search Dental Tribune

AI-powered dental solution targets elderly care in Hong Kong

Aiming to extend the benefits of a new artificial intelligence dental screening tool, the University of Hong Kong recently launched the Dental AI Community Care Project with the support of local organisations and government. (All images: University of Hong Kong)

Mon. 20. January 2025

save

HONG KONG, China: Hong Kong has only 3.7 dentists per 10,000 residents, and its dental healthcare system is under pressure owing to an ageing population. Residents of this populous city typically wait for 12–18 months for routine check-ups and up to 39 months for complex dental procedures. In response, the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed GUM AI, a mobile health solution that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with oral health screening. Designed to assist the elderly, GUM AI offers customised oral care guidance and early detection of dental problems, aiming to reduce the time and cost associated with in-person appointments.

According to a press release from the faculty, GUM AI provides rapid oral check-ups, analysing tooth and gingival health in seconds. The results are presented according to a simple colour-coded system: red indicating areas of poor oral health; yellow, possible areas of concern; and green, areas of good health. The university said that this accessible approach benefits both patients and dental professionals by facilitating early intervention. A study involving more than 500 participants reportedly showed greater than 90% accuracy.  

GUM AI is a new mobile health solution that combines artificial intelligence with oral health screening and boasts greater than 90% accuracy.

Aiming to extend the benefits of the tool to underserved communities, HKU recently launched the Dental AI Community Care Project with the support of local organisations and government. Employing the results of GUM AI, project volunteers, including HKU dental students, will provide oral screenings and personalised hygiene advice at community locations such as elderly centres and halls. Over three months, the initial programme will serve 60–80 elderly individuals at each session, focusing on those with limited mobility.  

GUM AI empowers non-dental professionals to assess the gum health of the elderly, thereby reducing dependence on dentists and decreasing patient wait times for check-ups,” the university said, emphasising the tool’s user friendliness and easy-to-understand results. By enlisting trained volunteers to conduct oral screenings, GUM AI alleviates reliance on dentists for routine check-ups, enabling dental teams to concentrate on severe cases, reducing waiting times and ensuring quicker treatment for urgent conditions.  

The initiative also aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs. According to a survey by Hong Kong’s health department, more than half of elderly individuals using long-term care services in Hong Kong have dental problems, and many avoid check-ups due to financial constraints. Through early detection of dental problems, GUM AI could help to prevent costly and severe complications and thereby alleviate strain on the dental healthcare system. 

HKU plans to expand GUM AI to reach all 18 districts of Hong Kong, seeking to foster better oral health awareness and encourage preventive dental care among the elderly.  

More information can be found on the HKU Faculty of Dentistry’s website. 

Topics:
Tags:
To post a reply please login or register
advertisement
advertisement