Haven’t had the chance to catch up on what’s been going on in the dental industry? In this week’s Dental Industry Summary, we cover patient feedback on AI in office, decline in dental coverage and more.
America’s Decline in Dental Coverage: What Does it Mean?
A recent report shows 27% of US adults lack dental insurance, with 12% losing coverage in the past year. This widespread gap means patients can't receive adequate care, leading to a surge in oral and overall health issues. Of those with insurance, 24% gained it only recently, highlighting the challenges of getting dental insurance. Lower-income and less-educated populations face the greatest barriers to coverage, and are less likely to have insurance according to the report, creating socioeconomic health disparities. This coverage crisis underscores the urgent need for more government intervention to make insurance more accessible.
How Patients Feel About Implementing AI in the Office
Aarhus University recently conducted a study to observe patients’ attitudes toward AI in dentistry. While patients are optimistic about AI improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, they worry about data privacy, increased costs for their care, and the need for human oversight. Populations, like people from Brazil, had more positive opinions about AI, likely in hopes of faster and more consistent care. This new research emphasizes the importance of transparent communication when AI is in use and patient education to build understanding and acceptance.
-May-05-2025-09-27-42-7436-PM.png?width=200&height=41&name=sikka-ai-logo%20(1)-May-05-2025-09-27-42-7436-PM.png){kind=small}
