An opportunity to advance

Aim

Objectives

This article meets GDC development outcomes A, C, D.

When there is such a dramatic change in the digital world then it is fair to expect some anxiety and concern about new influences. This may be true for dental nurses who are unsure of how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect their role, how it may help day-to-day patient care and what elements of AI will impact dentistry. This article will explore the introduction of AI within the dental setting and address the collaborative work being undertaken around this issue.

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence is a term that is used often, but appreciating what this means is important to understanding its application in dentistry. Britannica (2025) defines AI as, “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.” The concept of having software that can offer further, instant information in our lives is not new; we have had Alexa and Siri for some time, but having this in a dental setting is a new dimension.