Evaluation of off-label rapamycin use on oral health.

Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an FDA approved drug with immune modulating properties that is being prescribed off-label in adults as a preventative therapy to maintain healthspan. We recently published one of the first reports on 333 adults with a history of off-label rapamycin use. Along with presenting evidence that rapamycin can be used safely in adults of normal health status, we discovered that about 26% of rapamycin users also reported oral health changes. Given the recent evidence highlighting the potential benefits of rapamycin and its derivatives in enhancing oral health, we conducted a secondary data analysis to profile the oral health of off-label rapamycin users, the true incidence of mouth sores, and present specific case studies of periodontal bone loss quantification using an FDA-approved artificial intelligence platform. Contrary to expected findings and previous literature, dimensions of rapamycin usage (such as length of use, dosage, and interval) were not found to be related to the incidence of mouth ulcers in rapamycin users. Notably, among rapamycin users, the most deleterious forms of ulcers were found to be infrequent and not statistically linked to rapamycin usage, with most rapamycin users having a common transient form of mouth ulcers. Additionally, we describe the general oral health outcomes of off-label rapamycin users and provide recommendations for individuals engaging in off-label rapamycin to be regularly checked by a dentist or an oral health care provider. This report was limited by being a secondary data analysis taken from survey data that focused on a more holistic health model. Future studies will use a focused survey that collects data on more dimensions of oral health outcomes while including questions on oral health for non-rapamycin-using participants.

Preparing the Next Generation of Clinicians for Practice Using Augmented and Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Augmented Intelligence (AuI) have existed for decades but have only recently been applied to dentistry and incorporated into higher education for dental professionals. Early examples of the incorporation of AI into dental education suggest it can enhance students' learning and can be applied in pre-clinical and clinical instruction. AI can be used to support clinical decision-making for dental professionals, making radiographic interpretation more precise and consistent. This paper provides a brief overview of AI, highlights opportunities to improve higher education and provides brief case studies of individuals and organizations working to advance the quality of dental education using AI. Opportunities for the application of AI in dental education include the adoption of clinical decision support that can improve patient outcomes and overall quality of patient care; development of courses that assist students in learning enhanced radiographic interpretation, diagnosis and treatment planning; research collaborations with industry for product evaluation and future product developments; and practice administration in understanding the quality of the care being delivered at the school.