Research Article

Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 28, 2026
TR EN

Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of responses provided by large language model (LLM)-based next-generation generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools regarding early childhood caries (ECC) and to examine their performance in terms of temporal consistency. Method: Twenty-one true/false questions on ECC, developed in accordance with the policy of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), were posed over three days to five chatbot systems, including both publicly accessible and subscription-based platforms: ChatGPT version 5.2 (OpenAI), DeepSeek (DeepSeek AI), Perplexity (Perplexity AI), Gemini (Google), and Copilot (Bing/Microsoft). The responses were recorded and compared with the correct answers. Results: All chatbots demonstrated similar accuracy performance (p>0.05). Chatbots’ performance varied according to the day and time (p<0.05). The lowest performance was observed on the morning of Day 2 and the morning of Day 3 (p<0.05). Across all time points, the highest stability was observed in ChatGPT-5.2, whereas the lowest stability was observed in Perplexity. Conclusion: Although this study demonstrates that LLMs have considerable potential to support evidence-based pediatric dentistry, it emphasizes that AI tools should not be used as substitutes for definitive scientific knowledge, but rather should be employed cautiously as supportive tools when needed.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Promotion, Community Child Health, Digital Health, Health Informatics and Information Systems, Health Counselling, Health and Community Services

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 28, 2026

Submission Date

April 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Şahin, M. (2026). Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots. Lokman Hekim Dergisi, 16(3), 970-982. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1938406
AMA
1.Şahin M. Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026;16(3):970-982. doi:10.31020/mutftd.1938406
Chicago
Şahin, Meryem. 2026. “Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16 (3): 970-82. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1938406.
EndNote
Şahin M (September 1, 2026) Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16 3 970–982.
IEEE
[1]M. Şahin, “Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots”, Lokman Hekim Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 970–982, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31020/mutftd.1938406.
ISNAD
Şahin, Meryem. “Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16/3 (September 1, 2026): 970-982. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1938406.
JAMA
1.Şahin M. Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026;16:970–982.
MLA
Şahin, Meryem. “Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 970-82, doi:10.31020/mutftd.1938406.
Vancouver
1.Meryem Şahin. Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Caries: Accuracy and Temporal Consistency Performance of Large Language Model–Based Chatbots. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;16(3):970-82. doi:10.31020/mutftd.1938406

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                                                                  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

  

                                    Periodical scientific publication of Mersin University School of Medicine. Can not be cited without reference. Responsibility of the articles belong to the authors

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