The Competence of Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists in Utilizing Technology for Oral Health Care

Abstract

Rapid advances in digital dentistry — including teledentistry, digital imaging, electronic patient records, CAD/CAM workflows, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools — are reshaping oral healthcare delivery. Dental assistants and dental hygienists (hereafter “dental support staff”) play critical roles in deploying these technologies in clinical practice, prevention, and patient education. This paper reviews current evidence on their competence with digital tools, identifies common barriers and enablers to adoption, and proposes educational and policy recommendations to strengthen workforce readiness. Recent studies indicate growing use of teledentistry and AI-enabled tools, variable digital literacy and competence among support staff, and persistent gaps in standardized training and structural support. Strengthening formal curricula, offering accessible continuing education, and integrating competency frameworks are central strategies to maximize benefits for patient outcomes and practice efficiency.