โก Quick Summary
This study presents an innovative Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dental chair platform designed to eliminate data silos in dental specialties. Clinical validation revealed a remarkable 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits and a 24.6% reduction in average treatment time, showcasing the platform’s potential to transform dental healthcare.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Study Location: The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
- โ๏ธ Architecture: Three-tier chair-domain interconnection
- ๐ Technology: Blockchain-based secure cloud database
- ๐ Clinical Validation: Compared with a control group from the same period in 2023
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ Patient Visits: 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits (80.6 vs. 58.4)
- โฑ๏ธ Treatment Time: 24.6% reduction in average treatment time (36.1 min vs. 47.9 min)
- โณ Waiting Time: 39.2% reduction in waiting time (23.3 min vs. 38.3 min)
- ๐ง Equipment Idle Rate: 30.4% reduction (8.7% vs. 12.5%)
- ๐ Patient Satisfaction: Increased from 88.2% to 94.3%
- ๐งโโ๏ธ Clinician Preferences: 74.7% favored “dental chair parameter updating and clinical data integration”
- ๐ผ๏ธ Patient Preferences: 76.8% favored “chairside display of diagnostic images”
- ๐ฎ Future Potential: Integration of AI-assisted diagnosis and 5G-enabled collaboration
๐ Background
The dental healthcare sector has long faced challenges due to equipment heterogeneity and the resulting data silos. These issues hinder effective communication and data sharing among dental specialties. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) offers a promising solution, enabling seamless integration of various dental technologies and improving overall patient care.
๐๏ธ Study
This research focused on developing an IoT-enabled dental chair platform that integrates medical and engineering principles. The platform features a three-tier architecture: the bottom tier for automated data acquisition, the middle tier for clinic-level management, and the top tier for secure data management using blockchain technology. Clinical validation was conducted at The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University to assess its effectiveness.
๐ Results
The clinical validation demonstrated significant improvements in dental practice efficiency. The trial group experienced a 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits, a 24.6% reduction in treatment time, and a 39.2% reduction in waiting time. Additionally, patient satisfaction rose from 88.2% to 94.3%, indicating a positive reception of the new platform among both clinicians and patients.
๐ Impact and Implications
The findings from this study highlight the transformative potential of the IoT-enabled dental chair platform in enhancing dental healthcare delivery. By addressing data silos and improving operational efficiency, this platform could lead to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence and 5G technology could further expand its applications, paving the way for a digital transformation in dental practices.
๐ฎ Conclusion
This research underscores the significant advancements that can be achieved through the integration of IoT technologies in dental healthcare. The Intelligent IoT-enabled dental chair platform not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances patient satisfaction. As we look to the future, the potential for further innovations, including AI-assisted diagnosis, is exciting and holds promise for the evolution of dental care.
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[Research on the construction and application of an intelligent internet of things-enabled dental chair platform based on dental chair domain interconnection].
Abstract
To address the problem of data silos in dental specialties caused by equipment heterogeneity, this study developed an Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dental chair platform (hereinafter referred to as the intelligent platform) based on the concept of medical-engineering integration. The platform adopts a three-tier chair-domain interconnection architecture: the bottom tier integrates multi-source sensors and standardized interfaces for automated data acquisition and linkage with hospital information systems; the middle tier provides clinic-level management and remote teaching collaboration; and the top tier employs a blockchain-based secure cloud database for resource allocation and data management. Clinical validation at The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University demonstrated that, compared with a control group from the same period in 2023, the trial group achieved a 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits (80.6ยฑ6.8 vs. 58.4ยฑ5.2, t=15.16, P<0.001), a 24.6% reduction in average treatment time [(36.1ยฑ6.3) min vs. (47.9ยฑ8.5) min, t=7.72, P<0.001], a 39.2% reduction in waiting time [23.3 (16.5, 30.1) min vs. 38.3 (28.3, 48.3) min, U=32.00, P<0.001], a 30.4% reduction in equipment idle rate [8.7% (5.1%, 12.3%) vs. 12.5% (7.4%, 17.6%), U=251.00, P=0.003], and an increase in patient satisfaction from 88.2% (1 519/1 723) to 94.3% (2 186/2 318) (t=7.26, P<0.001). User research confirmed that the functions most favored by clinicians and patients were “dental chair parameter updating and clinical data integration” [74.7% (80/107)] and “chairside display of diagnostic images” [76.8% (119/155)], respectively. Looking forward, the intelligent platform has the potential to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and 5G-enabled multicenter collaboration to further expand its clinical applications and accelerate the digital transformation of dental healthcare.
Author: [‘Qian XY’, ‘Liu LW’, ‘Song YW’, ‘Wang YX’, ‘Zhang KJ’, ‘Dai N’, ‘Li CG’, ‘Wu B’, ‘Xie LZ’, ‘Sun ZD’, ‘Wang L’, ‘Yan B’]
Journal: Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi
Citation: Qian XY, et al. [Research on the construction and application of an intelligent internet of things-enabled dental chair platform based on dental chair domain interconnection]. [Research on the construction and application of an intelligent internet of things-enabled dental chair platform based on dental chair domain interconnection]. 2025; 60:1274-1280. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112144-20250630-00238