AI: A new spin on assisted hygiene

AI can’t set up an operatory for you, but it can help set you up for success

Assisted hygiene has been a dental practice standard for some time as an answer to the stressful pace of dental practice. Still, even the best-equipped hygiene teams can struggle with the sheer number of daily responsibilities.

The evolving role of AI in assisting dental hygienists can help you meet these challenges. AI integration into hygiene workflows has practical benefits ranging from enhanced preventive care and diagnostic protocols to improving patient engagement.

Let's explore some day-in-the-life dental hygiene routines where AI can assist with core role functions.

AI-assisted preventive care

Routine clin-checks are essential but aren't flawless. AI-powered image analysis can help reduce occasional misses during examination and cleaning, thereby significantly enhancing the value of these visits with regard to preventive care and its attention to gum health, along with other tooth- and tissue-related conditions.

AI analysis can support clinical observation of basic pathology findings, such as:

• Caries markers
• Gum disease indicators
• Tissue abnormalities

Adding AI as another hygiene “assistant” increases the potential for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.

AI-assisted perio diagnostics and monitoring

Having a human assistant can help you carry out periodontal probing much more efficiently. AI technology assistance brings even more advantages.

• A diagnostic advantage. AI algorithms can help you confirm your accuracy by analyze periodontal measurements on x-rays and scans. The technology has the ability to assess bone height and to identify patterns and changes that might not be obvious during a single manual examination.
• A tracking advantage. The progression of gum disease observed through comparative data analysis is a core benefit of AI assistance. With this tool, you can more clearly see the effectiveness of past and ongoing perio treatment, allowing for timely adjustments as needed.
• A predictive advantage. Sometimes the evidence of disease progression is in the records. AI can analyze past radiographs to find patterns of pathology and alert the dental team to potential developing problems so appropriate care strategies can be recommended. This ability also adds a level of consistency to patient care monitoring.
  
  

AI-assisted patient engagement

Preventive care is one fundamental responsibility of the dental hygienist. Effective, compelling communication with patients is another. AI can help here, too.

• Streamlined preparation. AI can surface insights from patient charts for you, so you can spend less time on audits and more time interacting effectively with patients.
• Clearer communication. Hygiene production relies on the quality of conversations you have with patients and their understanding of the information you give them. AI can highlight radiographic findings in a patient-friendly manner to help keep the conversation in the chair going.
• Take-home messages. Often, patients need to discuss treatment plans with family members or consider financial options. AI systems can take the images from the operatory and make them available for printouts or reminder emails so that patients don’t forget what you discussed.

Assisted hygiene has already upped the efficiency of dental care. Now AI assistance is poised to take it further as AI continues to evolve and improve daily workflows.

Stay informed about practical applications for AI innovation and assistance:

• How AI is poised to reduce the burden on hygienists

Proven AI technology leadership is driving practical assistance in dentistry

Pearl is a global dental AI leader assisting dentists across six continents with robust clinical pathology detection.

Get acquainted with Pearl here.

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