554 AI in Dental Hygiene: Tool, Threat, or Teammate?

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in dentistry and dental hygiene. From clinical decision-making to education and patient care, the conversation examines where AI can help, where it creates new challenges, and why human judgment remains essential.   In this episode we talked about:   How AI is currently being used in dentistry and dental hygiene   Opportunities AI may create for clinicians, educators, students, and patients   Concerns surrounding ethics, overreliance, accuracy, privacy, and critical thinking   Whether AI should be viewed as a tool, a threat, or a collaborative teammate   The importance of human judgment, empathy, and patient connection in an increasingly digital environment   How educators can prepare students for AI-integrated practice settings   Practical ways clinicians can use AI responsibly and effectively   What the future of AI in dental hygiene might realistically look like   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebayle/   Instagram: @saltcityhygi   Pearl: www.hellopearl.com   Pearl Case Studies and Guides: https://hellopearl.com/case-studies-guides   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com