Choosing a biological dentist often starts long before scheduling the first appointment. Many of our own patients come in having spent a good deal of time learning about mercury fillings, hidden sources of infection, metal dental work and more.

Increasingly, whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence is now part of that process. Google’s AI summaries appear at the top of many searches, and AI-powered answers are more common across other online tools. While some people make a point of avoiding it, most of us encounter AI simply by being online.

Yet many of us remain skeptical. Although about half of American adults have used AI chatbots, according to Pew Research, most of us expect AI to have a negative impact on ourselves and society.

At the same time, we have a remarkable tendency to accept what AI tells us. One recent study found that people accepted accurate AI reasoning about 93 percent of the time and faulty AI reasoning almost 70 percent of the time.

Part of the reason is that AI explains complex ideas in a clear, authoritative voice that can be remarkably convincing. Sometimes those answers oversimplify an issue, leave out important context or present false information as though it were fact.

That’s why turning to AI for answers may be less helpful than using it to ask better questions.

Suppose you’ve heard three different takes on root canals and are trying to make sense of them. If you ask AI, “Are root canals bad?” you’ll probably get a simplified yes-or-no answer. But ask it, “Why do biological dentists have concerns about root canals?” and the information you get will be more complete. 

The more specific your questions, the better: “Explain the biological concerns that have been raised about root canals. What kinds of evidence backs them up? What kinds of observations have biological dentists made? What questions still need to be answered?”

Now you’re in a very different conversation. Instead of asking AI to decide what to believe, you’re asking it to help you understand the thinking behind a particular perspective.

The same principle applies whether you’re researching fluoride, nutrition, chronic inflammation or almost any other health topic. AI is often at its best when you ask it to explain ideas, define unfamiliar terms, compare approaches or help you understand why different practitioners may reach different conclusions.

As you read, pay attention to how AI builds its answer. Does it explain its reasoning? Acknowledge uncertainty? Distinguish between established research, emerging evidence, clinical experience and opinion? 

If the answer doesn’t point to its sources, ask where the information came from. AI can blend scientific papers, professional organizations, books, office websites and commercial sources into a single, confident-sounding response. The most trustworthy information usually leaves you with a better understanding of your options, not the feeling that you’ve just sat through a sales pitch.

That’s why we place so much emphasis on patient education ourselves. We want you to understand your options, the thinking behind our recommendations, and why one approach may make more sense than another in your particular situation. Our goal isn’t simply to recommend treatment. It’s to give you the information you need to make informed decisions with confidence.

Holistic Dentistry of Port Washington is located at 222 N. Franklin St., Port Washington. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 262-235-4525, email [email protected] or visit HolisticDentistryWI.com.