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Is dentistry a good job considering how AI is replacing jobs?
Since AI has been continuing to progress at a rapid pace, many jobs have been replaced. Will healthcare or dentistry fall into risk of this?
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8 answers
Updated
Aparna’s Answer
Hi,
Absolutely! Dentistry involves a lot of hands-on work, and patients often feel more comfortable and trusting when interacting with a person for these important treatments.
If you love science, enjoy working with your hands, and want to help people, dentistry is a fantastic career path. Best of luck!
Absolutely! Dentistry involves a lot of hands-on work, and patients often feel more comfortable and trusting when interacting with a person for these important treatments.
If you love science, enjoy working with your hands, and want to help people, dentistry is a fantastic career path. Best of luck!
Updated
Jennifer N’s Answer
Hello Edward,
While it is true that AI is replacing some jobs, AI will never be able to fully replace all jobs. With AI taking on certain roles or functions, it opens up doors for more to be done, to learn more advanced skills sooner, or help more people. For example, if a dental practice had a machine that could scan a patient's mouth and determine the extent of any issues faster than is manually done by a dental hygienist, that allows the dental practice to spend less time on the manual process and be able to spend more time helping each patient with any issues identified or be able to see more patients, depending on the needs of the patients. I would suggest focusing more on what you're passionate about and will make you happy in life because you can always adjust in your role to adapt to the changes that will come.
While it is true that AI is replacing some jobs, AI will never be able to fully replace all jobs. With AI taking on certain roles or functions, it opens up doors for more to be done, to learn more advanced skills sooner, or help more people. For example, if a dental practice had a machine that could scan a patient's mouth and determine the extent of any issues faster than is manually done by a dental hygienist, that allows the dental practice to spend less time on the manual process and be able to spend more time helping each patient with any issues identified or be able to see more patients, depending on the needs of the patients. I would suggest focusing more on what you're passionate about and will make you happy in life because you can always adjust in your role to adapt to the changes that will come.
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Edward,
AI is going to be part of many if not all professions. But professions like dentistry that require a complex set of skills including motor skills, diagnostic skills and communication skills would be hard to replace completely. When you go to dental school, you'll learn the AI tools that are available for diagnostics and data analysis and those tools will assist you in your practice, but I don't see dentists being replaced. Go for it!
I hope this helps! All the best to you on your journey!
KP
AI is going to be part of many if not all professions. But professions like dentistry that require a complex set of skills including motor skills, diagnostic skills and communication skills would be hard to replace completely. When you go to dental school, you'll learn the AI tools that are available for diagnostics and data analysis and those tools will assist you in your practice, but I don't see dentists being replaced. Go for it!
I hope this helps! All the best to you on your journey!
KP
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello again, Edward !
No. AI is not going to replace dentistry, so you have nothing to worry about.
I will repeat what I advised in my last response to you. Now is a good time for you to explore and learn more about what dentists do. Dentists have fine motor skills needed to work in very small areas in patients' mouths. Vision is needed to evaluate and detect things also. Dentists know exactly which spot to administer anesthesia, too. This work is all done using innate, sharp sensory skills and brain power - by humans.
AI is indeed currently being used in dentistry, but more like in looking at diagnostic tests, analyzing patient data and predicting patient-specific risks. These are all things dentists already know how to do on their own. The most hands on work being done with AI are AI robots that clean people's teeth with the said intention that it can free up dentists to do more complex tasks, but it's usually a dental hygienist that cleans the people's teeth.
So here's my advice. Go to dental school and most likely you would be taught all of the AI involved. When you are ready to practice, getting a job at an established practice or clinic, you'll know how to do the AI if it's a place that chose to use it. If you open your own practice, decide if it's more feasible to hire a dental hygienist or purchase the AI robot to do teeth cleanings and that would be based on your personal preference at the time. With your own practice, you can choose to utilize AI or not but will have to follow the American Dental Association's guidelines at that time and that'll be more than 8 years from now.
So, all things considered, I wouldn't worry about dentists becoming extinct. All careers that entail working directly on the body will still need to be around.
No. AI is not going to replace dentistry, so you have nothing to worry about.
I will repeat what I advised in my last response to you. Now is a good time for you to explore and learn more about what dentists do. Dentists have fine motor skills needed to work in very small areas in patients' mouths. Vision is needed to evaluate and detect things also. Dentists know exactly which spot to administer anesthesia, too. This work is all done using innate, sharp sensory skills and brain power - by humans.
AI is indeed currently being used in dentistry, but more like in looking at diagnostic tests, analyzing patient data and predicting patient-specific risks. These are all things dentists already know how to do on their own. The most hands on work being done with AI are AI robots that clean people's teeth with the said intention that it can free up dentists to do more complex tasks, but it's usually a dental hygienist that cleans the people's teeth.
So here's my advice. Go to dental school and most likely you would be taught all of the AI involved. When you are ready to practice, getting a job at an established practice or clinic, you'll know how to do the AI if it's a place that chose to use it. If you open your own practice, decide if it's more feasible to hire a dental hygienist or purchase the AI robot to do teeth cleanings and that would be based on your personal preference at the time. With your own practice, you can choose to utilize AI or not but will have to follow the American Dental Association's guidelines at that time and that'll be more than 8 years from now.
So, all things considered, I wouldn't worry about dentists becoming extinct. All careers that entail working directly on the body will still need to be around.
Updated
Shreya’s Answer
AI is not expected to replace dentists, so you don’t need to worry about your future in dentistry. While AI is being used in the field—mainly for analyzing diagnostic tests, patient data, and predicting risks—the essential hands-on work of dentistry, such as performing procedures, administering anesthesia, and using fine motor skills, still requires a human touch and expertise. Dental schools are likely to teach you about AI tools as they become more common, so you’ll be prepared to use them if your future workplace adopts them. Ultimately, you’ll have the choice to use AI in your practice or not, and you’ll need to follow professional guidelines. In summary, dentistry will continue to need skilled professionals, and AI will serve as a helpful tool rather than a replacement.
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Good question, Edward. I don't really know. AI is still a mystery to me. There has to a human brain behind it somewhere! However, I cannot comprehend how hands-on jobs such as dentistry can be completely AI. Robot dentists? Even robotic surgeries have surgeons at the helm. Not much help, but I am thinking there are people who will always prefer a human dentist, physician, therapist, etc. If dentistry is your passion, go for it.
Kathie
Kathie
Updated
Jiabao (Jabs)’s Answer
AI is changing many jobs today, but this also brings new opportunities. In the next 10 years, people in the medical field, like dentists, will likely benefit from AI. Patients still trust humans more than machines, and it will take a long time before they feel comfortable with AI performing dental surgeries. If you want to become a dentist, go for it! AI is here to stay, but we can use it to make things better. While AI can reduce human error, it will never replace the personal touch that patients value.
Updated
Ponnu’s Answer
Hi Edward,
Yes, dentistry remains a strong and promising career choice, even as AI and automation transform many industries. While AI is changing how dental professionals work, it is not expected to replace dentists in the foreseeable future.
Yes, dentistry remains a strong and promising career choice, even as AI and automation transform many industries. While AI is changing how dental professionals work, it is not expected to replace dentists in the foreseeable future.