AI is here to stay: embrace, test, and use it – HBI oral health webinar takeaways

Yesterday, HBI hosted a webinar on oral health titled “Consumer-centric trends in oral health: how technology is meeting evolving needs.” 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Neil Sikka, Chief Dental Officer at Bupa Insurance, and Sara Dalmasso, Head of Enterprise Solutions at Straumann Group. 

We discussed the evolving landscape of oral healthcare, exploring the role of AI and technology and how these innovations are transforming patient care and the dental industry.

Dr. Sikka began the conversation by addressing the UK’s dental crisis — 50 million missed NHS dental appointments in recent years, 94% of new NHS patients unable to secure an appointment, and 3,000 dentists leaving the NHS in just the last two years. 

With oral health directly linked to conditions like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s, these gaps in care pose serious risks to the wider health of the population.

While AI adoption in dentistry has been slower than expected, Sara Dalmasso explained that the challenge isn’t just about the technology itself but about seamlessly integrating it into existing practices. “Even if an AI tool solves one problem, it shouldn’t create new ones,” she said, stressing the importance of simplicity, quality, and data privacy in AI implementation.

Despite some resistance to change within UK dental clinics, Dr. Sikka believes that embracing technology is essential, as long as both clinicians and patients are properly educated on its benefits. 

Straumann, the Swiss-based dental implant maker, has been leading the way in AI-driven oral health solutions. What sets them apart is their close collaboration with clinics of all sizes, including DSOs, and their ability to leverage years of data from digital dentistry. 

“We’re constantly refining our AI tools based on feedback, investing in training, and ensuring seamless integration into a unified platform,” Sara shared.

Sustainability has also become a growing priority within the dental industry. Dr. Sikka highlighted the issue of waste, particularly with single-use plastics, and shared how Bupa is addressing this by implementing small but impactful changes across 380 practices in the UK. These include switching to metal trays, wiping surfaces instead of using plastic film, and replacing glass with reusable pots. 

In addition to sustainability, dental insurance has become a key focus. A recent study revealed that private medical insurance is now the UK’s most desired employee perk, even surpassing pensions and energy bill support. Demand is particularly strong among employees over 55 (42%) and women (37%). As the interest in affordable dental care continues to rise, employers are seeking ways to make private treatment more accessible. Reflecting this, Bupa’s dental insurance has seen a 30% year-on-year growth.

As AI continues to reshape healthcare, ethical concerns have also emerged. Dalmasso raised an important question: if AI makes a mistake, who is responsible — the dentist or the developer? 

Patients need to be fully informed about how their data is being used, and it’s critical that AI supports rather than replaces clinical judgment. Over-reliance on technology is a valid concern, as Dalmasso noted, especially with the potential erosion of clinical intuition and patient understanding.

In conclusion, dentistry’s future will be radically different. We will see a new type of dentist, a new type of patient, and a shift toward more consumer-driven treatments. As the speakers agreed, the key is not to fear AI but to embrace it, test it, and make it work for you.

Missed the webinar? No worries! You can watch the full session here.