Are Maxillofacial Pathologies at Risk Due to AI?

All dentists not listed separately.

The occupation "Dentists, All Other Specialists" has an automation risk of 0.0%, indicating that it is among the professions least likely to be replaced by machines or artificial intelligence. The 0.0% base risk reflects the complexity, precision, and interpersonal skills required in specialized dental care. While certain aspects of dentistry can be supported with technological tools, the overall role demands real-time problem-solving, adaptability, and highly personalized expertise that automation currently cannot replicate. Furthermore, patient management in complex, variable scenarios—often with unclear or developing symptoms—relies on the nuanced judgment of a trained specialist. This makes the occupation inherently resistant to current and near-future advancements in automation. Despite the overall low risk, some routine or auxiliary tasks within the role could be automated. The top three most automatable tasks include: processing and updating patient records, managing appointment scheduling and billing procedures, and sterilizing and preparing dental equipment. These tasks are repetitive, rule-based, and require less specialized knowledge, making them well-suited for automation through office software, scheduling apps, or robotic cleaners. However, even if these are streamlined with technology, they do not represent the core clinical and diagnostic work performed by dental specialists. Conversely, the top three most resistant tasks are diagnosing complex oral health conditions, performing intricate dental procedures (such as surgeries or specialized treatments), and communicating nuanced care plans to patients. These duties demand high levels of manual dexterity, critical thinking, real-time judgment, and interpersonal communication. Bottleneck skills that preserve the occupation’s resistance to automation include advanced medical knowledge (level 5), fine motor skills (level 5), and empathetic patient communication (level 4). These skill areas are challenging for automated systems to replicate, ensuring that "Dentists, All Other Specialists" remain indispensable in the healthcare ecosystem.