Living the Digital Shift in Oral Health: My Story and Hopes for the Future
Digitalization isn’t just a buzzword anymore — it’s something I’ve seen, lived, and learned from in both my studies and practical experiences as a future oral hygienist. It has changed how we learn, how we care for patients, and how we connect with each other. And as much as it brings amazing tools, it also comes with its fair share of challenges and responsibilities.
What Digitalization Has Meant for Me So Far
As a student, I’ve felt the impact of digitalization in many ways — sometimes with excitement, sometimes with confusion. From online platforms like Moodle and Teams to watching video lectures at home, digital tools have made it possible for me to keep up with my studies even when life gets in the way. Whether I’ve been feeling sick or just needed to study at my own pace, digital learning has given me flexibility that I’m truly grateful for.
In clinical settings, I’ve seen how much technology helps. Digital X-rays are quicker and clearer. Electronic patient records mean I can access everything in one place. Intraoral cameras help me show patients what I’m seeing — which makes them more involved in their own care. I’ve used programs to measure things like gum pockets or tooth movement, which helps with planning treatment for gum disease.
But it hasn’t all been smooth. Learning new systems can be frustrating, especially when they don’t work the way you expect. And sometimes, it feels like we’re expected to understand everything instantly without proper guidance.
Still, I know that these digital skills are not optional anymore. They’re part of the job now — and I actually enjoy learning them when I have enough time and support.
Where I See Things Going
Looking ahead, I can already imagine how digitalization will keep changing our work as oral health professionals. Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to help with diagnosing things faster — like spotting cavities or bone loss on an X-ray. 3D scanners and printers are replacing the need for messy dental molds, and I think that’s a huge improvement for both patients and professionals.
Tele-dentistry is also growing. I can picture myself one day doing remote oral health coaching or follow-ups with patients who live far away. I think this will be especially helpful for preventive care, which is where hygienists play such an important role.
Patients are also more involved now than ever before. Smart toothbrushes, mobile health apps, digital reminders — all these things help people take better care of their teeth at home. That means we, as hygienists, can spend more time guiding and motivating instead of just treating problems.
Of course, all this means we’ll need to keep learning. The tools will keep changing, and we need to keep up — not just technically, but also ethically.
What Worries Me About the Digital World
With all the good, there are also real concerns. One of the biggest is data privacy. In our field, we handle very sensitive information. If that information is not protected well, it could end up in the wrong hands — and that would be devastating for both patients and professionals.
There’s also the issue of digital inequality. Not every patient has a smartphone, Wi-Fi, or even the confidence to use online services. Some older patients, immigrants like myself, or people with disabilities might struggle with digital tools. We can’t forget that our job is to help everyone — not just those who are tech-savvy.
And honestly, sometimes I worry that digital tools make us forget the importance of human connection. A screen can’t replace a smile, eye contact, or a kind voice — especially when someone is nervous or in pain.
How GDPR Affects Me and My Work
When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in 2016 (and started being applied in 2018), it changed the way we’re supposed to handle personal data. In many ways, that’s a good thing.
Thanks to GDPR, patients have more control over what happens to their information. Clinics have to take security seriously, and that builds trust. Even as a student, I know my own personal data is better protected now.
But I won’t lie — sometimes it feels like GDPR makes things a bit more complicated. There’s more paperwork, more rules, and more things to remember when dealing with patient information. One small mistake, even unintentional, can have serious consequences. So, it definitely adds pressure — but I understand why it’s necessary.
I believe that GDPR reminds us of something very important: our responsibility. It’s not just about following the law; it’s about respecting people’s privacy and treating every bit of information as if it were our own.
Final Thoughts: Technology with a Human Heart
For me, digitalization in oral health is not just about tools or systems — it’s about people. It’s about using technology to make care better, more accessible, and more respectful. It’s about staying curious, being open to learning, and remembering that at the end of every digital screen is a real person who needs support, trust, and compassion.
As I prepare to become a dental hygienist, I want to use technology wisely — not to replace human care, but to strengthen it. The future of oral health is definitely digital, but I believe it will only succeed if we keep our hearts in it, too.
Questions that I Asked ChatGPT:
I asked ChatGPT several questions related to the digitalisation of the oral health field. The answers were detailed and mostly accurate. For example, ChatGPT explained how digital tools like intraoral scanners, AI-based diagnostic software, and electronic health records are becoming more common in clinics. It also gave a good summary of how GDPR protects patient data but also creates responsibility for health workers.
The answers were clear, but sometimes too general. Some answers lacked very specific examples from Finland, or they didn’t always match the real-life limitations we face in public dental care. That’s something to keep in mind.
I think artificial intelligence is a helpful tool for students and professionals. It can explain complex topics in simple words, help write reports, and even assist with research. But I also see risks – like relying too much on AI or getting outdated or incorrect information. We always need to double-check facts and combine AI help with real clinical knowledge.
In the future, I believe AI will play a bigger role in diagnostics, patient communication, and data handling. However, human professionals will still be needed to give care with empathy and responsibility.
Self-Evaluation – What I Learned
This whole process has taught me a lot — not just about digitalization in oral health, but also about myself as a student and future professional.
Before starting this, I didn’t fully realize how much digital technology is already part of oral health care. Now I see clearly how things like digital x-rays, electronic patient records, scanners, and even AI are changing our work and making it more precise and efficient. It was interesting to explore how these tools help us give better care, and how they can even make our daily tasks easier.
I also learned about the importance of data protection. At first, the GDPR and data security felt like big, abstract topics. But now I understand how they connect to our daily work — for example, how we store and share patient information, and how we must always think about privacy and trust.
Using AI like ChatGPT in this project was a new experience for me. It gave me a lot of help with ideas, language, and structure. But I also learned that AI doesn’t replace thinking — I had to check the answers and make sure they were suitable for my situation. It helped me, but I stayed in charge.
What I Still Want to Learn
This project showed me that I want to understand more about:
- The real digital tools used in Finnish clinics (like which programs and machines are most common)
- How to follow GDPR rules in everyday practice
- How AI might be used in patient communication or treatment planning in the future
Final Thoughts
This work made me feel more motivated. Digitalization is not just some trend — it’s the future of our field. And now I feel more ready to be part of that future.
I Commented on :
Oona, https://blogi.savonia.fi/oonavuoltee/
Thank you for your comprehensive text – it was a lesson both in your field of education and in your future work. You brought out very concretely how the field of oral healthcare has developed and how patients can be engaged by showing them the condition of their own mouth. As a client, I find this more than satisfactory. It was also particularly interesting to see how technology supports disease prediction and opens up perspectives on the future of your profession.
I appreciated the way you highlighted GDPR as part of your professional competence. As you noted, it has become an essential framework across different fields. I believe it also raises concerns, especially in social and healthcare services, where sensitive and confidential data is handled.
Equally valuable was your observation on digital inequality. In the jungle of digital services, those who need help and care the most (often the elderly) are faced with the barriers of strong identification and complicated login processes. Without support, many of these services remain unused. This worries me as well: there are significant differences in citizens’ digital skills and their ability to use services equally, and these issues demand solutions.