Artificial intelligence and its impact on oral health care education. A randomized study.

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI)-generated educational materials demonstrate superior effectiveness in improving patient comprehension and reducing anxiety compared to traditional methods. Their integration into dental practice could enhance patient satisfaction and streamline the educational process, particularly for complex or anxiety-inducing procedures. The present study aimed to evaluate the act of AI applications on oral healthcare, focusing on clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cluster-randomized controlled trial with 1000 participants from 20 villages (10 interventions, 10 controls) was conducted. The intervention group received 4 weeks of chatbot-guided oral health education via WhatsApp/IVR, while controls received standard health talks and leaflets. Knowledge, oral hygiene practices, and OHI-S scores were measured pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed a marked rise in mean knowledge scores (9.8 to 15.2) compared to controls (10.1 to 11.3; P < 0.001). Twice-daily brushing improved from 28% to 64% (vs. 30% to 37% in controls). OHI-S scores improved significantly more in the chatbot group (reduction = 1.2) than in controls (0.3; P < 0.001). Engagement with the chatbot correlated positively with outcome improvements.

CONCLUSION

AI-based chatbots significantly enhance oral health awareness, hygiene practices, and clinical outcomes in rural settings, highlighting their potential for scalable public health interventions and integration into primary health programs.