Gang Li

Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being utilized across various fields of medicine, presenting significant potential for the future of healthcare. This review is to systematically outline the current applications of AI in the field of oral health management and to provide an in-depth analysis of the associated challenges and future opportunities. Methods: The review was based on a systematic electronic literature search conducted across databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) with the keywords including “artificial intelligence,” “AI in dentistry,” “tele-dentistry,” “oral health education,” and “oral health management.” English-language studies relevant to the application of AI across various aspects of oral health management were included based on independent assessments by two reviewers. Results: We concluded that in the realm of oral health management, AI technology has diverse applications, including oral health education and counseling, monitoring, screening, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care of oral diseases, and the collection and management of oral health data. By enhancing public awareness of oral health and improving self-management capabilities, AI can increase diagnostic accuracy, facilitate personalized treatments, support tele-dentistry, optimize the allocation of dental resources, and provide early warnings for oral diseases. These advancements collectively contribute to the efficiency and quality of oral health management. While AI demonstrates considerable promise in this field, several challenges remain, including inconsistencies in oral health data, limited availability and accessibility of data, the reliability of AI-driven results, and issues of bias and fairness in AI algorithms. Addressing these challenges is essential to fully harness the transformative potential of AI in oral health management. Conclusion: Oral health management encompasses the comprehensive handling of oral health risk factors in individuals, populations, and communities through a series of measures and activities aimed at maintaining and promoting oral health. The ultimate goal is to achieve the greatest societal benefit in oral health at the lowest possible cost. By addressing challenges such as data consistency, availability, and reliability, as well as issues of bias and fairness in AI algorithms, AI may play a significant role in oral health management. Clinical relevance: This paper reviews the role of artificial intelligence in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, providing an important reference for the later application of artificial intelligence in oral health management.

Based on the present global burden of oral diseases, unmet dental needs affect a more significant population worldwide. It is characterized by the need for dental care but receiving delayed or no care. Contributing factors include a lack of knowledge about oral health, its consequences, and the availability of dental services. We need to find out the scale of the problem of unmet dental needs of Chinese male adults. Therefore, the aim was to determine the relationship between the presence of oral conditions and the quality of life-related to oral health. A total of 46,439 Chinese male adults were recruited to the study between August 2022 and October 2023. The questionnaire was administered using standard procedures. This questionnaire sought to gather various types of information, including basic demographic details, oral health status, and specific oral care needs. To gain insight into the frequency and types of oral conditions in our study population, a thorough clinical oral examination was performed. For data interpretation and evaluation, descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were utilized, with a significant level of 5%. The study results indicated that one of the most prevalent oral conditions was oral surface calculus, which was noted in 22,263 (47.94%) participants. The rate of bleeding gums was 6289 (13.54%), with a range of oral diseases such as dental ulcer (1488; 3.2%), trauma (1342; 2.89%), gingivitis (814; 1.75%), pericoronitis (786; 1.69%), and cheilitis (527; 1.13%). The study population reported a 22.41% prevalence of dental caries, with an additional 15.59% of participants having untreated caries. A significant portion of participants (54.62%) expressed a strong need for oral healthcare treatment, with 79.11% self-reporting their need for regular checkups. Furthermore, 81.09% of participants expressed a desire to receive knowledge guidance. Approximately one-fourth of the participants had caries, revealing that age, occupation and location influenced their oral health. Most participants expressed the need for oral treatment, checkups, and knowledge support, stressing the importance of accessibility and availability of oral health services. By specifically targeting age groups and addressing common oral conditions, oral health can be enhanced. Planning strategies should consider demographic factors to maximize impact.