Dentistry in Southeast Asia is doing well, with Statista Research showing that revenues in the oral health market will reach USD 2.94 billion this year. The sector has been buoyed by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) when offering services, adding an extra layer of efficiency and precision that is usually susceptible when humans make every decision.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made digital health commonplace, with dentistry-related facilities opening up in Thailand and other regional countries. For example, Dental Tap develops cloud-based software, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and more to help dentists manage their businesses. Plus, it has multi-channel communications solutions, like a patient portal.
AI in dentistry is bringing in unexpected yet valuable solutions, such as an X-ray imaging system powered by the technology. It turns the optical images into easy-to-understand text information, making it more straightforward to analyse. Moreover, it saves doctors time figuring out what ailments the invalids' pictures represent.
Thus, this new tech enables them to provide more value to their patients, making the service more efficient. Doctors and specialists can identify signs of tooth decay, impacted teeth, the need to install crowns, and more. For example, the dental startup Adravision uses X-ray machines powered by artificial intelligence to boost revenue by serving patients faster and more precisely.
AI is also helping dentists customise treatment plans for invalid patients. The tech conducts a holistic analysis, reviews the symptoms, and automatically recommends the best healing procedure. If the patient cannot afford to pay for the selected treatment method, the technology can suggest several other options.
Furthermore, with the right software, dentists can model the facial structure of their patient's mouth, envision before and after images of the procedure, and design the best method to heal them. Artificial intelligence goes beyond standard imaging reviews and can identify periodontal inflammation of the gums, or detect cracked teeth or those likely to need fillings soon.
Finally, some non-clinical applications of this tech in dentistry include scheduling and managing appointments, smart rostering, inventory management, communications through voice chats, and data analytics and reporting.
Challenges of using AI in dentistry
While introducing artificial intelligence in a dental practice has many benefits, it can still pose many user challenges. Firstly, only some people are tech-savvy, so having a complex innovation may prove an issue for some staff. They may need upskilling to ensure continuity in high-quality dentistry standards, which will cost the business additional money from its budget.
Secondly, data continuity and uniformity may be lacking, making reviewing and delivering accurate, actionable reports challenging. Additionally, there is a risk of bias when data modelling—creating visual representations of collected information—which may affect the quality of details the practice gathers on its patients. These details, for example, may help the dental practice managers know how well they are doing with patient acquisition and retention.
A third factor to consider is that any time a business uses AI, a lot of personal info will be stored, posing a risk of cybercrime. Thus, the practice must ensure they have robust cybersecurity measures to prevent patient exposure to their medical records or identities.
Another area for improvement may be access and affordability problems, often prevalent when emerging technologies become part of an industry. Predominantly, people living in rural areas may be unable to pay for X-ray imaging powered by artificial intelligence. Furthermore, integrating legacy systems with AI may be challenging for those outside urban areas.
Lastly, the adoption of healthtech is still a concern in Southeast Asia. There is the cost of technology, the fees transferred to patients, and the fear of data transfer to third parties without consent. Additionally, there are social demographic problems with the older generation's reluctance to try new tech and a need for more skilled medical tech workers in the dental teams.
Future of AI in dentistry
AI in dentistry is playing its role in shaping a healthier Southeast Asia by increasing the probability of detecting dental problems that are not readily visible to the human eye. The tech can also review the images and predict the likelihood of tooth or gum deterioration, enabling dentists to take preventative measures to safeguard their patients' oral health.
Additionally, using AI technology in dentistry enables doctors to avoid giving bad advice or performing procedures that may lead to medical malpractice claims. Patients can save money by only getting the right treatments and being able to plan for future procedures spotted by artificial intelligence.
Overall, dentistry in Southeast Asia will continue to improve and grow for years to come. According to venture capital (VC) firm Gobi Partners, there are also many healthcare investment opportunities as the sector evolves. The goal will be to continue innovating and upskilling staff to provide quality dental services.
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