Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini on the Same Dental Treatment Plan Prompt: Three Example Outputs

When dentists ask “which AI should I use?” they almost always mean ChatGPT. It is the default answer in the same way Google is the default search engine, the one people name even when they mean the category. But there are three viable options now for drafting patient-facing text: ChatGPT (OpenAI), Claude (Anthropic), and Gemini (Google). They produce noticeably different outputs for the same dental prompt, and the differences matter more than you would expect for something as seemingly straightforward as “write a letter to a patient.”

This article gives all three the same scenario, one that comes up every week in a general practice: explaining a multi-procedure treatment plan to a patient who is worried about cost and time commitment. Same prompt, same case, three example outputs, shown unedited.

None of the three outputs is ready to send without editing, and the differences are mostly in tone and wording. But wording matters when a patient is deciding whether to schedule a $4,000 treatment plan or walk out and never come back.

The scenario

A 45-year-old patient came in for a comprehensive exam. Clinical findings and radiographic evaluation resulted in the following treatment plan:

1. Root canal on tooth #19 (lower left first molar)
2. Crown on tooth #19 following root canal completion
3. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), all four quadrants

The patient expressed concern about the total cost and how many appointments this would take. The practice wants a written explanation to send home with the patient, something they can read at their own pace, share with a spouse, and refer back to when they call to schedule.

The prompt

This prompt was used identically for all three models, copied and pasted with no modifications between sessions.

You are writing for a general dentistry practice. Draft a patient-friendly
explanation of the following treatment plan:

Patient: 45-year-old adult
Treatment plan:
1. Root canal on tooth #19 (lower left first molar)
2. Crown on tooth #19 following root canal completion
3. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), all four quadrants

The patient has expressed concern about the total cost and how many
appointments this will take.

Requirements:
- Write at a 6th-grade reading level
- Explain each procedure in 2-3 sentences (what it is, why it's needed)
- Address the cost concern honestly without making specific price promises
- Address the time/appointment concern with a realistic estimate
- Tone: reassuring but not condescending
- Length: under 400 words
- Do not diagnose. Do not make clinical claims beyond what a general
  practice would put in a patient letter.

A few notes on why the prompt was designed this way. The 6th-grade reading level requirement is realistic for patient communication; most health literacy guidelines recommend 5th-8th grade level. The “do not diagnose” constraint reflects what a practice would actually want: an explanation of the plan, not a clinical narrative that could create liability. The 400-word limit forces conciseness. A patient will not read a 1,200-word letter.

Claude’s output (claude-sonnet-4-6, unedited)

Example output from Claude, unedited. 374 words.

Your Treatment Plan: What to Expect

Thank you for coming in for your exam. After looking at your teeth and X-rays, Dr. [Name] has put together a plan to help get your mouth healthy. Here is what we recommend and why.

Root Canal, Tooth #19 (Lower Left Back Tooth)

The inside of this tooth has damage that needs to be treated. A root canal removes the damaged tissue from inside the tooth and seals it to prevent further problems. The tooth stays in your mouth; we are saving it, not removing it. This is a common procedure, and most patients say it feels similar to getting a filling.

Crown, Tooth #19

After the root canal, this tooth will need a crown (a cap that covers the whole tooth). A tooth that has had a root canal can become more fragile over time, and the crown protects it so you can chew normally. We will place a temporary crown first, then a permanent one at a follow-up visit.

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing), All Four Sections of Your Mouth

A deep cleaning is different from a regular cleaning. It focuses on cleaning below the gum line where buildup has collected. This helps your gums heal and can prevent more serious gum problems down the road. We typically numb the area so you are comfortable during the procedure.

How Many Appointments Will This Take?

We expect this plan to take approximately 3 to 5 appointments, depending on how we schedule the procedures. The deep cleaning is often done in two visits (two sections of your mouth per visit). The root canal is usually one visit, and the crown requires two visits (one for preparation and a temporary, one for the permanent crown). We can discuss scheduling options that work best for you.

About the Cost

We understand cost is a concern, and we want to be upfront with you. Our treatment coordinator will go over the fees for each procedure and what your insurance may cover, if applicable. We can also discuss payment plan options to help spread the cost out over time. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions about the financial side. We would rather talk it through with you than have cost be a reason to delay care your mouth needs.

If you have any questions about this plan, please call us at [Phone Number]. We are happy to walk through any part of it with you.

Word count: 374

ChatGPT’s output (GPT-4o, unedited)

Example output from ChatGPT, unedited. 342 words.

Understanding Your Treatment Plan

Hi there! We wanted to take a moment to explain the treatment plan we discussed during your visit. We know it can feel like a lot, so let’s break it down step by step.

1. Root Canal on Your Lower Left Molar (Tooth #19)

A root canal is needed when the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes infected or badly damaged. During the procedure, we gently clean out the inside of the tooth and seal it up to stop the problem from spreading. Think of it as saving your natural tooth so you can keep using it for years to come! Most people are surprised at how comfortable it is; it’s often compared to getting a regular filling.

2. Crown (Cap) on the Same Tooth

Once the root canal is done, we’ll place a crown over the tooth. A crown is like a protective helmet for your tooth. It covers and strengthens it so it can handle chewing and everyday use. This usually takes two visits: one to prep the tooth and place a temporary crown, and another to put on the permanent one.

3. Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)

This is a more thorough cleaning than what you get at a regular checkup. We clean along and just below your gum line to remove buildup that regular brushing can’t reach. This helps your gums get healthier and can prevent bigger issues in the future. We’ll numb the area so you stay comfortable, and we usually split this into two visits so it’s easier on you.

How Many Appointments?

In total, you’re looking at about 4 to 5 visits. We’ll work with you to space them in a way that fits your schedule and isn’t overwhelming.

Let’s Talk About Cost

We completely understand that cost is an important factor. Before we get started, our team will walk you through the cost of each procedure and check what your insurance covers. We also offer payment plans to help make things more manageable. Don’t let the numbers scare you. Let’s figure it out together!

Questions? Call us at [Phone Number]. We’re happy to chat!

Word count: 342

Gemini’s output (Gemini 2.0 Flash, unedited)

Example output from Gemini, unedited. 336 words.

Your Treatment Plan Explained

We appreciate you taking the time to discuss your dental health with us. Here is a summary of the treatment we recommend, along with answers to your questions about cost and scheduling.

Root Canal, Tooth #19 (Lower Left First Molar)

• A root canal treats a problem deep inside your tooth.
• During the procedure, the damaged material inside the tooth is removed, and the inside is cleaned and sealed.
• This allows us to save the tooth rather than remove it.

Crown, Tooth #19

• After a root canal, a crown (or “cap”) is placed over the tooth.
• The crown protects the tooth and restores its strength so you can chew normally.
• This is typically done in two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and place a temporary crown, and one to place the final crown.

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning), All Four Quadrants

• A deep cleaning goes below the gum line to remove tartar and bacteria that regular cleanings cannot reach.
• This helps treat gum irritation and prevents more serious gum problems.
• We usually do this over two visits, cleaning two sections of your mouth at each appointment. The area is numbed for your comfort.

How Many Appointments Will This Require?

The full treatment plan will likely require 4 to 5 appointments:

• 1 appointment for the root canal
• 2 appointments for the crown (prep + final placement)
• 2 appointments for the deep cleaning (2 quadrants per visit)

We will do our best to combine steps when possible to reduce the number of visits.

Regarding Cost

We understand that the cost of dental treatment is an important consideration. Here is how we can help:

• Our office will provide you with a detailed estimate before any treatment begins.
• We will verify your insurance benefits and let you know what is covered.
• We offer payment plan options to help you manage the cost over time.

Please feel free to call us at [Phone Number] with any questions. We are here to help you make the best decision for your dental health.

Word count: 336

The three outputs side by side

Points to check when reviewing outputs like these

These are observations about the text above, not a ranking.

• Wording the prompt did not supply. The prompt gave no diagnosis. ChatGPT’s output says a root canal is needed when the tissue “becomes infected or badly damaged,” and says “so you can keep using it for years to come!” That reads as a promise about how long the tooth will last, which a practice may not want to put in writing. Claude and Gemini use vaguer wording (“damage,” “a problem deep inside your tooth”).
• Cost language. “Let’s figure it out together!” in the ChatGPT output could be read as an offer to negotiate fees. The Claude output refers cost questions to the treatment coordinator. The Gemini output lists what the office will do (estimate, insurance verification, payment plans) without addressing the patient’s worry directly.
• Appointment counts. The three estimates differ and all assume scaling and root planing is done in two visits, two quadrants at a time. Replace them with your own scheduling.
• Tone. The outputs range from formal to conversational to bulleted. Pick the register that matches how your practice writes to patients and edit toward it.

Gaps common to all three

Every output has the same three gaps. They trace back to what the prompt did and did not say, and a more detailed prompt would address them.

All three mention dental insurance without knowing the patient’s coverage. Claude said “what your insurance may cover, if applicable.” ChatGPT said “check what your insurance covers.” Gemini said “verify your insurance benefits.” The prompt did not say whether the patient has insurance. The fix: add “The patient has [insurance / no insurance]” to the prompt, or add a constraint: “Do not assume the patient has dental insurance.”

All three give appointment estimates without knowing the practice’s scheduling patterns. They assume scaling and root planing is done in two visits. Some practices do all four quadrants in one visit, and some do the root canal and crown prep on the same visit. The appointment estimate should come from the practice. The fix: include “Our scheduling preference is [X visits]” in the prompt, or remove the appointment estimate from the AI’s scope and have the front desk add it.

None of them address what happens if the patient waits. A common worry with a multi-procedure plan is what happens if a procedure is delayed or skipped. None of the outputs covers that, because the prompt did not ask. At minimum, a letter could say: “If you have questions about timing or want to discuss which procedures to prioritize, please call us.” The fix: add “Include one sentence acknowledging that the patient can call to discuss timing or sequencing” to the prompt.

Takeaway

The prompt shapes the output more than the choice of model. All three models produced a plausible draft from the same prompt, and each has gaps that a more specific prompt could close. A practice that writes a good prompt template and uses it consistently with whichever model it already has access to is likely to get more out of it than one that switches models with a vague prompt.

Use the model you already have access to. If your office already has a ChatGPT subscription, use ChatGPT. If you use Claude for other work, use Claude. If you use Google Workspace and Gemini is built in, use Gemini. For more on prompt-writing, see our guides to patient follow-up emails and marketing content.

Always edit before sending. Each output above would need some editing: ChatGPT’s for promise-like wording, Claude’s for tone, Gemini’s for warmth. No AI model is a “draft and send” tool for patient communication. If your workflow does not include a human review step between the AI output and the patient’s hands, change your workflow.

Do not use any AI model for clinical claims, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The clinical content of a patient letter is the dentist’s responsibility to verify, including in insurance narratives.

Appendix: model versions and access

All three models are available at no cost for basic usage. The free tiers have usage limits (message caps, slower response times) but are sufficient for drafting a few patient letters per day. If your practice plans to use AI regularly for content drafting, the $20/month paid tiers for Claude or ChatGPT remove the friction of usage limits.

Google Workspace subscribers may already have Gemini access included in their subscription. Check your Workspace admin panel.

About these outputs

Model outputs shown in this article were generated with the model versions listed above, through each provider’s web interface, and are presented unedited. Model behavior changes with updates, and the same prompt may produce different output after the date of this article. The outputs were not reviewed by a clinician or sent to patients.

Correction, October 23, 2026. An earlier version of this article presented the outputs as a head-to-head comparison graded by a practice owner with years of clinical experience, with strengths, weaknesses, editing-time estimates and recommendations for which model to use. That review did not take place. The grades, ratings and recommendations have been removed, and the article now shows the same prompt given to three assistants with their example outputs.

Independent. We verify regulatory claims against the FDA 510(k) database and link every filing. Found an error? Email [email protected]; corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.