Exploring the prospects of artificial intelligence in transforming dental care for special needs groups: mapping the current evidence

BACKGROUND: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in providing quality dental care to individuals with special needs has been scarcely explored and holds the potential to be transformative. This study aimed to map the current evidence and research gaps on the application of AI tools in special care dentistry. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to ensure transparency. A systematic search was carried out across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science, including studies on AI for dental care of special needs groups published from 2015 to 2025. The data were charted on an evidence map, and study characteristics were evaluated to identify existing evidence and gaps. RESULTS: Five studies were included in the review. Some of the major themes explored were AI tools used for diagnosis, treatment planning, behavior management, remote consultation and communication assistance for these groups, with one of the five studies assessing dentists' perceptions of their use. This study highlighted the lack of robust evidence and the narrow focus of the existing studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the research gap in AI tools for special needs groups and noted the dearth of scientifically and conceptually rigorous studies on the topic. Thus, serving as the preliminary evidence for directing subsequent research on clinical translation of AI tools for special needs groups.