Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Digital scribes are increasingly being adopted in healthcare to reduce documentation burden and improve clinical workflow. These systems generate clinical records from clinician-patient conversations using speech recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While studies in medicine suggest benefits including reduced administrative workload and improved clinician experience, evidence in dentistry remains limited. This narrative review examines the current evidence, challenges, and implementation considerations associated with digital scribes in Australian dental practice. Potential benefits include improved workflow efficiency, documentation support, clinician satisfaction and enhanced practitioner-patient relationships. Reported limitations include omissions, factual inaccuracies, poor recognition of dental terminology, reduced performance in complex communication environments and the generation of misleading or excessive clinical records. Potential unintended consequences include automation bias, changes in clinician-patient interactions, impacts on clinical reasoning, patient self-censorship, and equity concerns related to algorithmic bias. Dental practitioners remain professionally accountable for the accuracy and completeness of AI-generated clinical records. Consequently, implementation of digital scribes in dental settings requires robust governance, informed consent processes, clinician oversight and ongoing performance auditing. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of digital scribes in dental practice, including their effects on patient outcomes, dental education and health equity.
Source: Australian Dental Journal
DOI: 10.1111/adj.70086
Authors: Bree Jones, Andrew Gikas, Tami Yap, Rishi Ramani
Institutions: The University of Melbourne, The Alfred Hospital, Alfred Health
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,850
OpenAlex ID: W7225462399