Will dental nursing remain an in‑demand job in a new AI world? In short, yes, I think so. Even as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in healthcare, there are too many stages of the dental journey where things could go wrong without human intervention. Dentistry isn’t just technical; it’s emotional, relational and situational. That makes dental nurses not only relevant, but absolutely essential.
Dental nurses are an important part of any working surgery, and no form of automation replaces that. They support clinical care, maintain safety, provide reassurance and continuity; anyone who has held the hand of a nervous patient knows that that isn’t something software can do. There are also the small details that AI systems may miss. Even leading voices in AI governance emphasise the risks of over‑reliance: “AI models can degrade over time … sometimes … with catastrophic consequences” (Middleton, E. Orr‑Ewing, L 2025).
In a clinical setting, where misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment could potentially harm a patient, the presence of trained dental staff comes second to none. AI could possibly assist with things like pattern recognition, diagnosis or administrative support, but dental nurses provide the human judgement and relationship building that acts as a safeguard when technology cannot.
Demand for dental nurses is also driven by a steady expansion of dental practices and services. More practices are opening, more patients are being seen, and more hands on deck are needed. Even AI leaders acknowledge that technology will increase the need for trained clinicians. As Dhingra notes, “there is so much unmet need that technology will not reduce the need for oral healthcare providers. Instead, we will be able to see more patients and across more geographies” (Dhingra, K 2023). AI might streamline some workflows, but that efficiency will increase capacity, which then increases the need for clinical support staff.
The job market is also becoming more competitive, with practices seeking skilled dental nurses and offering incentives to attract them; things like bonus schemes, flexible hours, competitive pay – options that weren’t necessarily on the table five years ago. It isn’t simply about filling a vacancy; it’s about finding the right people. As AI tools become more common, the value of a nurse who can work confidently alongside new technologies is only going to rise. Dental nurses who are adaptable, empathetic and tech‑aware will be highly in demand.
Patient trust is another major driver ensuring that dental nurses remain indispensable. Across healthcare, public trust in AI is still fragile. While people may disclose certain information more freely to technology, they do not necessarily want their care delivered by it, with 60% of patients remaining uneasy about AI’s role in healthcare (HTWorld, 2025). Even experts in AI policy agree that human connection remains essential at key moments in care (Middleton, E. Orr‑Ewing, L 2025).
The same applies to patients; trust is built through human presence, communication and empathy. Dental nurses play a critical role in calming patients, explaining procedures, and providing reassurance – things that technology cannot properly replicate.
I believe dental nursing will remain an in‑demand job for the foreseeable future. The combination of clinical need, the expectations of patients, and the limitations of AI ensures that these roles can’t be replaced by robots. While AI will continue to reshape dentistry, it will do so alongside dental nurses rather than replacing them.
Written by Ellie Hilton RDN, BA
References and Resources
Dhinga, K (2023) Artificial intelligence in dentistry: current state and future directions. Royal College of Surgeons of England. Available at: https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/10.1308/rcsbull.2023.132
Middleton, D.E. and Ewing, L.O. (2025) AI and health care: We should focus on trustworthiness, not on trust. The Health Foundation. Available at: https://www.health.org.uk/features-and-opinion/blogs/ai-and-health-care-we-should-focus-on-trustworthiness-not-on-trust
News Desk (2025) People are more honest with AI than their doctors, new report finds. Health Tech World. Available at: https://www.htworld.co.uk/news/people-are-more-honest-with-ai-than-their-doctors-new-report-finds-jp25/