Artificial Intelligence in Oral Health Diagnostics: Improving Accuracy, Treatment Planning, and Workflow Efficiency in Dental Clinicsl Clinics

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming oral health care, offering opportunities to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and workflow efficiency in dental clinics. This study investigates the impact of AI integration on dental professionals’ decision-making and operational efficiency in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 dentists and allied dental staff, assessing perceptions of AI-assisted diagnostic tools, workflow changes, and ethical considerations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze relationships between AI adoption, diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning efficiency, and workflow optimization. Results indicate that AI significantly enhances diagnostic precision (β = 0.54, p < 0.001), improves treatment planning efficiency (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), and positively influences overall clinic workflow (β = 0.47, p < 0.001). Ethical considerations, including data privacy and professional autonomy, moderated the adoption outcomes. These findings suggest that AI can be a transformative tool in Pakistani dental clinics, improving clinical outcomes and operational efficiency, provided that ethical and infrastructural challenges are addressed. The study provides empirical evidence and actionable recommendations for policymakers and dental practitioners on integrating AI into oral health care settings.