The application of Process Mining in Dentistry: a scoping review protocol (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Dentistry is a multifaceted field within healthcare, encompassing a wide range of clinical and administrative activities. In recent years, the adoption of electronic health records has facilitated the integration of artificial intelligence tools into dental practice. Among these, Process Mining (PM), a business process management technique that analyzes and optimizes complex workflows using real-world data, has emerged as a promising approach to improving efficiency and outcomes across various areas of dentistry. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aims to map the existing techniques and challenges related to the application of Process Mining across all domains of dentistry. Specifically, it seeks to identify the databases used, contexts of application, research objectives, limitations, and future opportunities for PM in dental research and practice. METHODS This review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to address the central research question: “What does the existing literature report about the applications, contributions, techniques, limitations, and challenges of Process Mining in clinical and administrative processes within dentistry?” RESULTS The further research aims to outline the applications and further opportunities of Process Mining in all of the fields of dentistry. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: The integration of PM with dental management systems represents a possibility to optimize workflows, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of patient care, so then promoting more efficient decision-making. CLINICALTRIAL https://osf.io/rb4cy