Robot dentist performs first human procedure

Safety, Trust, and Human Psychology

• Many commenters say they would not trust a robot in their mouth, citing experiences with software crashes, Tesla Autopilot incidents, and a general fear of machines causing physical harm.
• Others argue robots only need to be safer than humans, not perfect, but note that public tolerance for machine-caused harm is far lower than for human error.
• Some want strong fail-safes (e.g., “SawStop-like” instant stop if the patient moves or feels pain) and question how “movement-heavy” conditions are actually handled.
• Concerns raised about lack of clear patient feedback channels (pain, soft-tissue protection, tongue position).

Accuracy, X-rays, and Imaging

• The claimed ~90% cavity detection rate is seen by some as insufficient; others ask what human baselines are for comparison.
• Debate over replacing X-rays: some dentists in the thread say X-ray doses are already very low and highly useful; others prefer any safe, non-ionizing alternative.
• Skepticism about marketing that labels dental X-rays as “harmful” without context.

Impact on Dentists, Costs, and Regulation

• Some expect robots to reduce costs and increase access by speeding up procedures (e.g., crown prep in ~15 minutes vs. two long visits).
• Others doubt prices will fall, drawing parallels to MRI and private practice incentives; expect robot vendors and PE-owned chains to capture most gains.
• Strong debate over whether medical/dental professions and regulators are protecting patients vs. protecting incomes and limiting supply (residency slots, licensing, scope of practice).

Quality of Dental Care and Over-Treatment

• Many personal anecdotes of inconsistent diagnoses: one dentist finds many cavities, another finds none; suspicions of over-treatment and “cash grabs.”
• Interest in robotic or AI diagnosis as an objective second opinion, though others warn devices may also be biased toward over-diagnosis or insurer interests.

Patient Experience and Anxiety

• Some value human empathy, explanation, and trust-building and fear robots will worsen dental anxiety.
• Others say bad human experiences (pain, lying, upselling) make a precise, fast, unemotional robot appealing—even preferable if it shortens time in the chair.