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12 - Parental Perspectives on ChatGPT as an Oral Health Information Resource

Friday, May 23, 2025
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Victoria C. Chang, DMD

    Chief Resident, PGY-2
    University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL
    Chicago, Illinois, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • David M. Avenetti, DDS, MSD, MPH (he/him/his)

    Pediatric Dentistry Department Head, Clinical Associate Professor
    University of Illinois Chicago
    University of Illinois Chicago, Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry
    Chicago, Illinois, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Brittaney J. Hill, DDS, MS, MPH

    Clinical Associate Professor and Residency Program Director
    University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
    University of Illinois at Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois, United States

Abstract:



Purpose: Patients increasingly obtain oral health (OH) information online and from artificial intelligence (AI) tools. As ChatGPT gains popularity, its potential for OH education remains unclear. This cross-sectional study evaluates parents’ ChatGPT familiarity/usage and the perceived accuracy/helpfulness of responses to pediatric-specific clinical questions.



Methods: Parents completed Qualtrics surveys between August–November 2024 in three clinical settings: a private fee-for-service office, a private primarily Medicaid-serving office, and a university-based Medicaid-serving clinic. Surveys collected sociodemographic and self-reported OH information. Parents also described their experience/familiarity with ChatGPT and rated the accuracy/helpfulness of six ChatGPT responses covering various pediatric dentistry topics (e.g., prevention, treatment, safety). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to account for covariates.



Results: 234 of 302 surveys were analyzed (surveys with >75% of questions completed). Caregivers were 81% female, 33% under 35 years, 43% White, 33% Hispanic, and 10% Black. Most were employed full-time (68%) and had education beyond high school (71%). Children were 50% Medicaid-enrolled, 53% male, and primarily 6-to-10 years old (48%). Medicaid was associated with poorer caregiver and child self-reported OH and the child’s likelihood of having a restorative visit (P < .001). Parents of privately insured children had greater ChatGPT experience (P=0.037) but felt less likely to use it for obtaining OH information (P=.018). Over 80% of participants rated ChatGPT responses as “very” or “somewhat” accurate/helpful.



Conclusions: Parents have varying experience with ChatGPT, yet parents rated its information as accurate/helpful, regardless of SES. Further research is needed to explore the implications of these findings for pediatric OH education.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Not applicable.