Should we be concerned about deskilling in dentistry?

Abstract

In many industries, workers are often confronted with deskilling due to the sustained development and implemetation of technological advances. In many industries this holds economic benefits that may include the increase speed in which activities are performed, or a substantial increase in productivity and output. The same can hold true for Dentistry. However, must the inevitable deskilling necessarily be viewed in a negative light? Do all practitioners still require some skills that are comfortably managed through automation or through some form of new technology? There are of course also the views that deskilling could be a threat to dentistry, resulting from perpetuating possible educational shortcomings; and also in the scenario where dentists are placed in rural areas for community service without any facilities or supp