Integrating Generative AI into Orthodontic Education

Today, let’s focus on how different technologies can help professors and institutions become more efficient, scale more quickly, and, most importantly, deliver knowledge more effectively. Generative artificial intelligence is set to transform education at all levels, also in orthodontics, by improving efficiency and scalability in ways that will benefit both professors, organizations and populations.

Digital education in orthodontics isn’t new, but it’s not old either. I believe we are still on the learning curve when it comes to effectively integrating virtual tools to educate doctors. Traditional online courses are okay, but they can be improved. Back in 2013, I co-founded Insete Orthodontics Network, an online platform exclusively for orthodontics, and it quickly became one of the largest in Latin America. We produced online training modules and live streams for companies like Invisalign, 3M, American Orthodontics, Ortho.i, and many others. Not surprisedly, more than 50% of students don’t even complete the training and by the way this is the normal across different platforms, payed or free courses.

Online and traditional education by itself as we know are facing different challenges. Live virtual events tend to be boring and can’t be sustained for long periods, while in-person events are certainly better, but they’re expensive and hard to scale for a large audience, especially in multiple languages and different cultures. Forums and "wine and dine" sessions are great for networking, having fun, launching new products, and building community, but not for serious impact learning. 

Training key opinion leaders is also complex task if your goal is to systematically deliver unbiased information. Ideally, one-on-one learning is the best approach, providing quick and customized answers. However, availability and scaling that kind of interaction is nearly impossible. So, we face barriers such as time, cost, language, culture, time zones, speakers training, and the need for customization—the list goes on. Given these challenges, it’s clear that generative AI can help professors in orthodontics become more powerful educators while allowing organizations to achieve more, and spend less, by working smarter.

Take Coursera as an example. They’ve introduced several generative AI tools recently. Coursera Coach is a chatbot that understands the context of a learner's journey and answers their questions—without just giving away quiz answers! Course Builder is another tool that businesses are using to quickly customize long courses or specializations by focusing on the parts that are most relevant to them. There's also an interactive instruction coach that allows learners to engage in a dialogue, helping them learn or practice new concepts in real conversation.

AI-driven learning can be much more personalized. Both educational institutions and learners can benefit from personalized, interactive, and more streamlined processes. Customized learning experiences are key. Generative AI can analyze a student’s learning habits, strengths, and weaknesses, creating custom learning paths that tailor content, quizzes, and exercises to the doctors needs. This results in more personalized, efficient learning and professionals won’t waste time on material they already understand and can instead focus on areas that need improvement. A great example is Khan Academy’s Khanmigo, which uses GPT-based tools to act as a personal tutor, adjusting explanations and resources based on the learner’s progress. Coursera’s suite of generative AI products as we have described does something similar, enhancing both course creation and student interaction.

Another area where AI can make the difference is instant feedback and assessment. Whether training lab technicians, employees, or doctors, AI can speed up the process while maintaining quality, offering real-time simulations and corrections. For educators in different levels, AI can also handle basic tasks like content creation, presentations, lesson planning, creativity enhancement, administrative automation, and language translation. At Ortho.i® Sprints, we’re already taking advantage of AI agents and assistants to make training faster, more customized, and focused on critical thinking. We’re also helping doctors create AI solutions tailored to their own challenges and practices.

Changing gears, a few years ago I was excited about the possibilities of real-world simulation with VR glasses. I tried them out, but ultimately wasn’t motivated to invest heavily in the technology. It’s true that VR has huge potential to revolutionize education by making learning more interactive, immersive, and engaging, but there are several roadblocks so far. High costs, lack of infrastructure, limited content, health concerns, and the need for teacher training are all major barriers to widespread adoption. As the technology becomes more affordable and accessible, and as more educational content is developed, VR might become a game-changer for everyone. Right now, though, it remains a powerful but niche tool, mostly used in specialized settings like medical training or advanced technical education. For example, VR is widely used for simulations of surgeries or mechanical systems, giving learners hands-on experience without real-world consequences, some dental schools are starting to adventure in this technology as well.

AR glasses are also on the horizon with ambitious goals. Meta recently revealed its advanced Orion AR glasses at the 2024 Meta Connect event. These glasses are a significant step forward in augmented reality, combining a sleek, lightweight design with cutting-edge features. Unlike previous, bulkier AR headsets, Orion glasses are compact, resembling regular spectacles, which makes them practical for everyday use. Powered by Meta AI, they provide contextual assistance, such as recognizing objects (like food in a fridge) and suggesting recipes. The AI also supports hands-free tasks like messaging or making video calls via WhatsApp or Messenger. Associated with AI Orthodontics Models, his would be huge for us orthodontists, not just for education but for productivity inside the practice. However, despite these advancements, Orion is still in the prototype phase, and Meta hasn’t announced a release date for the consumer version.

In the meantime, generative AI already offers numerous opportunities to enhance orthodontic education and practice. I look forward to seeing how orthodontic practices, organizations, and professional associations will leverage these tools to improve efficiency and outcomes. If you don’t want wait for the future and are interested in experiencing how generative AI can be effectively integrated into your business, consider joining one of our Ortho.i® Sprints.  Doctors from around the world are beginning their journey into AI-powered orthodontics, preparing their practices and life for the future, and we are proud to contribute to that progress. Get in touch with us for training, partnership  or AI consultant services at https://www.orthoi.ai

Best regards,  

Dr. A