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Review of 6 studies suggests AI chatbots may help dental students learn

Study title: Applications of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Chatbots in University Level Dental Education: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of six studies on dental students and educators using AI chatbots and large language models found potential benefits for diagnostic reasoning, learning performance, engagement and individualized feedback.

Read the study abstract

Background Artificial intelligence (AI), mainly AI-driven chatbots and large language models (LLMs) is reshaping dental education through adaptive, interactive, and simulation-based learning. While the transition in technology has been rapid, the evidence about the educational effectiveness of these technologies is still very diverse and not entirely directed. Aim To analyze the roles, educational effectiveness, and impact of integrating AI-driven chatbots and LLMs in dental education at the university level wit…

Truvace record1 min read1 sourceEvidence: Moderate · 70/100 — Systematic review or meta-analysis · n = 6 · 1 independent sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-2424 · cite or check it
Applications of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Chatbots in University Level Dental Education: A Systematic Review"student_ipad_school - 063" by flickingerbrad, CC BY 2.0.

In brief

The review searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase for articles published from January 2018 to November 2025 and followed PRISMA 2020 criteria. Outcomes of interest included knowledge gain, clinical reasoning, diagnostic accuracy, communication skills and learner engagement.

Differences in methods and outcomes across the six studies limited direct comparison, so the authors used a narrative synthesis. They concluded that chatbots may complement dental education but need further rigorous evaluation of effectiveness and safe implementation.

Main points

  1. Only six studies met the eligibility criteria out of searches across four major databases.
  2. Searches covered articles published from January 2018 to November 2025.
  3. Reported potential benefits covered diagnostic reasoning, learning performance, engagement and individualized feedback.
  4. Outcomes assessed included knowledge gain, clinical reasoning, diagnostic accuracy, communication skills and engagement.
  5. The authors used a narrative synthesis because the studies' methods differed too much to combine.

The gain

A systematic review of six studies suggests AI chatbots and large language models may improve dental students' diagnostic reasoning, learning performance, engagement and individualized feedback.

The full story

The review followed PRISMA 2020 and included original research on dental students and educators using AI-based chatbots as interventions. It searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase.

Six studies met the criteria. They pointed to potential benefits for diagnostic reasoning, learning performance, engagement and individualized feedback, though methodological and outcome heterogeneity limited direct comparison.

The authors conclude that AI-driven chatbots and large language models may complement university-level dental education, but that their effectiveness and safe implementation require further rigorous evaluation.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedInternational Journal of Dentistry2026-11-01

The debate