554 AI in Dental Hygiene: Tool, Threat, or Teammate?

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in dentistry and dental hygiene. From clinical decision-making to education and patient care, the conversation examines where AI can help, where it creates new challenges, and why human judgment remains essential.

In this episode we talked about:

How AI is currently being used in dentistry and dental hygiene

Opportunities AI may create for clinicians, educators, students, and patients

Concerns surrounding ethics, overreliance, accuracy, privacy, and critical thinking

Whether AI should be viewed as a tool, a threat, or a collaborative teammate

The importance of human judgment, empathy, and patient connection in an increasingly digital environment

How educators can prepare students for AI-integrated practice settings

Practical ways clinicians can use AI responsibly and effectively

What the future of AI in dental hygiene might realistically look like

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebayle/