Good morning, today is Friday, August 18, 2023. The topic of discussion in the College of Medicine once again centers around Artificial Intelligence (AI). This signifies that the trajectory of the future does not solely lie in the “online” domain; rather, it rests upon the promising horizon of "The Future is AI” the underlying theme of the 15th Annual Scientific Conference and 5th Alumni Guest Lecture, hosted by The Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, from August 16 to 17. The conference was themed "Oral Health in the 21st Century."
Dr. Bola Soyombo, an alumnus of the institution, class of 1986, served as the Keynote Speaker and 5th Alumni Guest Lecturer. She delivered a comprehensive discourse on the subject of Dental Education, Dental Patient Care, and Business Models. Complementing this, Dr. Amy Traore Shumbusho, the Guest Speaker, addressed the topic of "Artificial Intelligence In Dentistry."
Before delving into a concise overview of their presentations, it is pertinent to acknowledge the historical roots of the Faculty of Dental Sciences. Its origins trace back to its inception as a Department of Dentistry in 1964 under the leadership of Professor J. W. Fox Taylor, who served as the inaugural Professor and Head. Furthermore, Professor Taylor held the position of Head, School of Dental Sciences from 1965 to 1971. Over subsequent years, it emerged as the sole School of Dentistry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Presently, under the stewardship of the current Dean, Professor Oluranti Olatokunbo da Costa, the Faculty of Dental Sciences continues to stand as the preeminent authority in dental practice within Nigeria.
During the opening remarks of her keynote address, Dr. Soyombo presented a somber statistic indicating that nearly half of the global population is afflicted by oral diseases. Within this context, it was revealed that 2.5 billion individuals are grappling with severe gum disease, 350 million have experienced complete tooth loss, and 380 thousand are dealing with oral malignancies. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of preventable and treatable measures for oral diseases.
Dr. Soyombo's strategic framework for change in dentistry encompasses three fundamental drivers: Firstly, addressing evolving population needs involves enhancing adult oral health, combating disparities, accommodating aging demographics, emphasizing prevention, and integrating oral health into overall healthcare. Secondly, in terms of financial support and resources, rectifying dental professional distribution gaps, countering reduced dental school enrollment, managing the cessation of aid for therapists and hygienists, promoting apprenticeships, and navigating diverse pricing and commissioning models are crucial. Thirdly, workforce advancement entails expanding Dental Care Professionals' (DCP) roles, redefining dental therapists' skillsets, broadening tier 2 competencies for dentists, and elevating the proficiency of DCPs.
She added that the concept of 'modern' dentistry can be encapsulated as follows: “Modern dentistry” constitutes a paradigm shift. It transcends the conventional approach of merely advocating brushing and flossing. Modern dentistry embodies a collaborative approach to healthcare delivery. Rigorous training in contemporary methodologies serves to attract and retain exemplary professionals who are integral to this collective endeavor. A modern dentist functions as a specialist in orofacial healthcare. This evolution underscores the essence of modern dentistry.
With regard to the evolving business models within the realm of Dentistry, Dr. Soyombo highlighted evolving dental business models encompassing traditional vs. modern approaches, patient-centered care, wellness models, evidence-based practices, TeleDentistry, subscription-based services, and integrated care.
The guest lecturer, Dr. Shumbusho, commenced her discourse by invoking a quote: "Predicting the future isn't magic; it's artificial intelligence" (Dave Walters). She said that the transformation of dental care is a direct consequence of AI's influence on the training, diagnosis, and treatment of various outcomes. Drawing from Dr. Soyombo's presentation on "modern dentistry," she said that AI has been embraced across diverse dental specialties, including operative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics. Employing AI algorithms, it becomes feasible to accurately detect cavities, gum disease, and other dental ailments. Dr. Shumbusho concluded her lecture by invoking the wisdom of Albert Einstein: "The measure of intelligence is the capacity to change."
In summary, both Dr. Soyombo's and Dr. Shumbusho's intertwined perspectives compel us to champion innovation and holistic healthcare for a brighter future.
Professor Abayomi Okanlawon, FAMedS.
