Using a Virtual Patient via an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Develop Dental Students’ Diagnostic Skills

Abstract

Knowing how to diagnose effectively and efficiently is a fundamental skill that a good dental professional should acquire. If students perform a greater number of clinical cases, they will improve their performance with patients. In this sense, virtual patients with artificial intelligence offer a controlled, stimulating, and safe environment for students. To assess student satisfaction after interaction with an artificially intelligent chatbot that recreates a virtual patient, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in which a virtual patient was created with artificial intelligence in the form of a chatbot and presented to fourth and fifth year dental students. After several weeks interacting with the AI, they were given a survey to find out their assessment. A total of 193 students participated. A large majority of the students were satisfied with the interaction (mean 4.36), the fifth year students rated the interaction better and showed higher satisfaction values. The students who reached a correct diagnosis rated this technology more positively. Our research suggests that the incorporation of this technology in dental curricula would be positively valued by students and would also ensure their training and adaptation to new technological developments.

ChatGPT applications in medical, dental, pharmacy, and public health education: A descriptive study highlighting the advantages and limitations

“…In recent years, dental education has increasingly utilized technology to develop a meaningful, yet enjoyable learning experience among dental students [ 45 ]. In particular, the adaptation of Chatbots’ technology in dental education has been suggested to be valued highly by the students via providing an engaging and personal experience [ 46 ]. This experience can be achieved by providing interactive content and step-by-step instructions much needed in dental education [ 47 ].…”

“…This experience can be achieved by providing interactive content and step-by-step instructions much needed in dental education [ 47 ]. Additionally, the use of ChatGPT among other Chatbots can have an economic value with reducing the costs and the spaces needed for dental students’ training [ 46 ]. The value of ChatGPT is of particular relevance in clinical training of dental students enabling them to practice their techniques in a controlled environment, with subsequent improvement in their skills [ 45 , 48 ].…”

Unveiling the ChatGPT phenomenon: Evaluating the consistency and accuracy of endodontic question answers

“…In dentistry, various applications of AI have been proposed, including aiding diagnosis, improving dental telemedicine services, supporting decision-making, optimizing clinical workflow, reducing costs, supporting research and improving teaching (Alhaidry et al, 2023;Eggmann et al, 2023;Sallam, 2023;Suárez et al, 2022). Few studies have evaluated the answers provided by AI in the field of endodontics.…”

“…Few studies have evaluated the answers provided by AI in the field of endodontics. Suárez et al (2022) developed an AI chatbot that simulated a virtual patient to study pulpal pathology in endodontics and achieved positive results in improving students' communication skills and confidence. However, it is important to note that there is a crucial difference between the creation and training of an AI chatbot by a group of experts and the use of general LLMs such as ChatGPT, which retrieve information from various sources, some of which may be unverified.…”

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Dentistry

“…Chatbots: AI-driven chatbots can help patients make appointments, answer questions, and educate them about dental care ( 135 , 136 ).…”