Background Artificial intelligence (AI), mainly AI‐driven chatbots and large language models (LLMs) is reshaping dental education through adaptive, interactive, and simulation‐based learning. While the transition in technology has been rapid, the evidence about the educational effectiveness of these technologies is still very diverse and not entirely directed. Aim To analyze the roles, educational effectiveness, and impact of integrating AI‐driven chatbots and LLMs in dental education at the university level with a focus on learning outcomes and implementation practices. Methods The researchers conducted a thorough search of the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase for articles published from January 2018 to November 2025. This review met the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 criteria and was made up of original research articles on dental studentsand educators who were using AI‐based chatbots as interventions. The outcomes measured were knowledge gain, clinical reasoning, diagnostic accuracy, communication skills, and engagement of learners. Due to the differences in the methodologies used the authors opted for a narrative synthesis approach. Results Six studies met the eligibility criteria and showed potential benefits of AI‐driven chatbots and LLMs for diagnostic reasoning, learning performance, engagement, and individualized feedback although methodological and outcome heterogeneity limited direct comparison. Conclusion AI‐driven chatbots and LLMs may complement university‐level dental education, but their effectiveness and safe implementation require further rigorous evaluation.
Background Occlusal splints and physiotherapy are the mainstays of conservative management for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), but how often patients follow these recommendations, and what follows when they do not, is poorly quantified. Methods From 3317 patients with a TMD diagnosis and at least two clinic visits, 800 records were randomly selected and screened; 273 met inclusion criteria and contributed 443 recommendation events. Adherence was classified by initiation and persistence. A proxy Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) score was derived from the follow‐up narrative under a predefined rule. The primary outcome was PGIC ≤2. Results Persistence after initiation was 70% for splints, 88% for self‐administered and 90% for professional physiotherapy. Splint losses were characteristically after acquisition (40 of 133 acquirers discontinued), whereas professional physiotherapy failed mostly before initiation (66 of 174 never attended). Among 66 patients recommended both physiotherapy types, the home programme was performed far more often (20 versus 1 discordant pairs, p < 0.001). Of 133 obtaining a splint, 122 (92%) received the prescribed appliance; deviation was concentrated in community‐fabricated splints (odds ratio [OR] 6.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60–25.39). Adherence was associated with improvement in every modality (splint OR 10.35, 95% CI 4.31–24.82; professional physiotherapy OR 5.05, 1.97–12.92; self‐administered physiotherapy 37% versus 0%, p < 0.001; pooled OR 8.24, 4.05–16.79); response rose from 4% to 45% across adherence strata. Apart from a joint‐only diagnosis, no baseline characteristic predicted response after adjustment (adherence adjusted OR [aOR] 12.00, 5.40–26.67). Restricting the contrast to never‐initiated versus adherent events, which excludes response‐dependent discontinuation, gave OR 9.11 (4.26–19.50). Conclusions About 40% of conservative TMD recommendations were not followed, and non‐adherence was associated with a substantially lower probability of meaningful improvement, although residual confounding, including a healthy‐adherer effect, cannot be excluded. Non‐initiation and discontinuation are distinct problems with distinct causes.
Introduction Non‐dental healthcare professionals (NDHPs) are strategically positioned to support the early identification, prevention and referral of oral health problems within the primary healthcare system. However, oral health assessments are not routinely incorporated into primary health centres (PHCs), particularly in settings without regular dental services. Objective This study explored NDHPs’ experiences and perspectives regarding oral health assessment, prevention and referral in PHCs. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among 14 NDHPs selected from one urban and one rural PHC in Mangalore, South India. Participants included community health officers (CHOs), auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), and physicians, selected using purposive sampling. Individual face‐to‐face, semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s six‐phase thematic analysis approach. Results Five major themes emerged: current practices, knowledge gaps, barriers, facilitators, and training and resource needs. Oral health assessment was reported to be largely opportunistic, with limited training, confidence, assessment resources, and referral pathways identified as key challenges. Community trust and willingness to participate in oral health training were important facilitators. The findings informed a preliminary identify‐prevent‐refer (IPR) conceptual framework for integrating oral health into primary healthcare. Conclusion Despite gaps in training, resources, and referral pathways, NDHPs demonstrated a willingness to contribute to oral health assessment. The preliminary IPR framework provides a conceptual approach to integrating oral health identification, prevention and referral within the primary healthcare system. Further evaluation across diverse settings is warranted.
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two calcium silicate biomaterials, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine (BD), as direct pulp capping (DPC) agents by assessing reparative mineralized tissue formation using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods This randomized controlled, split‐mouth clinical trial involved 44 permanent premolars in patients aged 18–25 requiring orthodontic extraction. Teeth were randomly assigned for evaluation at 9–12 weeks and 13–16 weeks following DPC with either MTA or BD. Radiographic parameters, including dentin bridge thickness, continuity, and periapical status (CBCT periapical index [CBCT‐PAI]), were assessed in three dimensions. Bonferroni‐adjusted significance thresholds for multiple comparisons were p < 0.0125 (dimensional) and p < 0.025 (categorical). Results All 44 teeth (100%) remained vital and asymptomatic, with no radiographic evidence of periapical lesions (CBCT‐PAI score 1), pulp necrosis, or inflammation. The BD group achieved a 100% incidence of dentin bridge formation at both follow‐up intervals, whereas the MTA group showed lower rates (63.6% at 9–12 weeks; 54.5% at 13–16 weeks). Even under strict Bonferroni correction, BD demonstrated significantly superior performance in dentin bridge thickness at 9–12 weeks ( p < 0.0125) and notably in both continuity and thickness at 13–16 weeks ( p < 0.025). Conclusion Both MTA and BD are highly effective in maintaining clinical pulp vitality. However, BD exhibits significantly superior performance in promoting the consistent formation of thicker, more homogeneous, and continuous dentin bridges. CBCT was confirmed as an effective and precise modality for the early, detailed 3D assessment of mineralized tissue formation.
Objective To evaluate changes in oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) following Corticobasal implant‐supported prostheses, using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Materials and Methods This prospective, single‐arm pre‐/postobservational study included patients undergoing Corticobasal implant‐supported prosthetic rehabilitation at Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital; no control or comparison group was included. Participants were recruited from January 2023 to August 2024. OHRQoL was assessed using the GOHAI at baseline and at the predefined 6‐month follow‐up visit. The final 6‐month assessment included in the analysis was completed in March 2025. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0. Paired t ‐tests were used for within‐participant pre‐/postcomparisons, and repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate changes over time and exploratory differences in change across participant and treatment subgroups. Results Of 116 enrolled participants, one was lost to follow‐up; 115 completed the 6‐month assessment and were included in the analysis (completion rate: 99.14%). Among them, 70.4% were female, 57.4% were aged ≥ 60 years, 78.3% were nonsmokers, and 57.4% had no reported medical history. The mean overall GOHAI score increased from 33.58 ± 7.36 at baseline to 50.84 ± 4.40 at 6 months, with a mean improvement of 17.26 points (95% CI: 15.77–18.75; p < 0.001; Cohen’s dz = 2.14). Significant improvements were observed in the functional, pain/discomfort, and psychological domains (all p < 0.001). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested that the magnitude of GOHAI improvement may vary according to some participant and treatment characteristics; however, these findings were not adjusted for multiple comparisons and should be interpreted cautiously. Conclusion Within the limitations of this prospective, single‐center observational study, OHRQoL, as assessed by the GOHAI, improved significantly from baseline to 6 months following Corticobasal implant‐supported prosthetic rehabilitation in the investigated cohort. These findings indicate favorable patient‐reported outcomes following Corticobasal implant‐supported prosthetic rehabilitation and should be interpreted in the context of the uncontrolled study design and the absence of a comparison group for evaluating implant‐system‐specific effects. Further controlled longitudinal studies with larger and more diverse populations are warranted to confirm these findings and evaluate their longer‐term clinical relevance.
