The role of chatbots in oral health promotion and patient education

Abstract

Chatbots are increasingly present in healthcare communication and patient information environments. In oral health, however, limited research has examined how these tools are perceived by key stakeholders and under what conditions they may effectively support health promotion and patient education. This study aims to explore patients’ and dentists’ perspectives on the role of chatbots in oral health promotion, focusing on perceived benefits, risks, trust dynamics, and conditions for responsible integration into clinical practice. A qualitative research design was employed, based on semi-structured interviews with nine patients and ten dentists. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted online, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. A cumulative analytical approach was adopted to identify recurring themes and subthemes within and across stakeholder groups. Both groups perceived chatbots as complementary tools rather than substitutes for professional care. Patients highlighted immediacy, accessibility, and convenience, particularly for clarifying minor doubts and reinforcing preventive guidance. Dentists acknowledged potential benefits in supporting hygiene education and reducing repetitive explanations but expressed concerns regarding misinformation, overreliance, lack of contextualization, and potential challenges to professional authority. Across participants, scientific credibility, clearly defined scope of use, and professional oversight emerged as central conditions for effective implementation. Findings suggest that chatbots may contribute to oral health promotion when positioned within clearly defined boundaries and integrated under professional guidance. Their effectiveness depends not only on informational quality but also on trust, role clarity, and alignment with existing clinical relationships.