The Dental Head Start Podcast Tip #149 – The AI Dentist: Who Controls the Patient Journey? with Dr. Martin Gale
Hosted by @dr.haydynbathurst
This is the second episode with Dr Martin Gale specialist endodontist talking about artificial intelligence and dentistry. You can find the first episode in the previous podcast links. It’s well worth a listen because it covers the context by explaining the history of AI before we get into the ethics of AI. In this second episode, we will be covering how AI might disrupt patient care the business of dentistry, who controls the patient journey, and how manpower and the employment may change. This is particularly relevant for young, early career dentists. So listen in. Please sit back and enjoy
Key moments
0:03:53 – Discussion of complex ethical considerations with 12 different consent and treatment scenarios
0:11:57 – Start of discussion about corporations collecting health data and potential disruption of dental practice
0:16:51 – Detailed explanation of how big tech companies might take over patient diagnosis and treatment planning
0:22:08 – Warning about commercial interests and the risk of mediocrity in AI healthcare solutions
0:24:16 – Concerns about losing patient-centered care and professional autonomy
0:27:37 – Comparison of AI development to historical technological disruptions like early automobile regulations
0:30:55 – Final warning about the “Kodak moment” for dentists who don’t adapt to AI technologies
Dr Martin Gale
Dr Gale is a specialist Endodontist from Melbourne. He has research interests in artificial intelligence for dentistry, in particular for endodontic diagnosis. He is also a keen advocate for appropriate CBCT use in endodontics. He mentors for the University of Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch. In addition, Martin sits on various committees for the Australian Society of Endodontology Victorian Branch, Australian Dental Association Local Groups, and at the federal level of the Australian Dental Association. He is also a member for Standards Australia and theInternational Standards Organisation Dental TC106 committee.
Thank you to our sponsors of this episode…
Dental Protection Limited
Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by you
Dental Advice Network
This episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast is proudly supported by Dental Advice Network.
Whether you’re one year out or forty, we all have clinical questions—and it’s OK not to have all the answers. That’s exactly why the Dental Advice Network exists. With leading experts like Dr Omar Ikram (Endodontist), Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen (Oral Medicine Specialist), Dr Steven Parker (Dental Sedationist), Dr Manu Ayer (Specialist Anaesthetist), Professor Ian Myers (Restorative expert), Dr Kar Mun Chan (Specialist Paediatric Dentist) and Associate Professor Geraldine Moses (Dental Therapeutics and Pharmacology expert), it’s your go-to place for clinical advice, case support, and evidence-based insights.
From medication queries to red flags in oral pathology—or even just a second opinion—Dental Advice Network connects you to trusted voices in dentistry and medicine, including an in-house medical doctor. You’ll also get access to clinical webinars, CPD content, and curated updates to stay ahead in your practice.
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And for Dental Head Start listeners, we’ve teamed up with Dental Advice Network to bring you an exclusive 10% discount when you subscribe. Just use the code HEADSTART10 at checkout. Plus—if you’re a first-year graduate, you already get a massive 50% off.
Check them out at dentaladvicenetwork.com.au, and thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast.
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