mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

Oralytics Reinforcement Learning Algorithm

arXiv 2406.13127 ↗First posted 19 Jun 2024cs.AIcited by 2

On the map: Deep reinforcement learning methods → RL for clinical treatment and surgery

Abstract (arXiv)

Dental disease is still one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. While dental disease is preventable through healthy oral self-care behaviors (OSCB), this basic behavior is not consistently practiced. We have developed Oralytics, an online, reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm that optimizes the delivery of personalized intervention prompts to improve OSCB. In this paper, we offer a full overview of algorithm design decisions made using prior data, domain expertise, and experiments in a simulation test bed. The finalized RL algorithm was deployed in the Oralytics clinical trial, conducted from fall 2023 to summer 2024.

Key facts. Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in RL for clinical treatment and surgery, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods. Builds on 13 of its 27 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 19 Jun 2024.

Builds on

13 of 27 references.

References · 13

  1. 2017A Tutorial on Thompson Samplingcited by 433
  2. 2019Personalized HeartSteps: A Reinforcement Learning Algorithm for Optimizing Physical Activitycited by 70
  3. 2020Inference for Batched Banditscited by 63
  4. 2017Multi-Task Learning for Contextual Banditscited by 47
  5. 2017Accurate Inference for Adaptive Linear Modelscited by 39
  6. 2016A Reinforcement Learning System to Encourage Physical Activity in Diabetes Patientscited by 38
  7. 2021A Closer Look at the Worst-case Behavior of Multi-armed Bandit Algorithmscited by 30
  8. 2020IntelligentPooling: Practical Thompson Sampling for mHealthcited by 24
  9. 2022Designing Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Digital Interventions: Pre-implementation Guidelinescited by 22
  10. 2022Reward Design For An Online Reinforcement Learning Algorithm Supporting Oral Self-Carecited by 18
  11. 2022Statistical Inference After Adaptive Sampling for Longitudinal Datacited by 12
  12. 2017Horde of Bandits using Gaussian Markov Random Fieldscited by 6
1 more
  1. 2017Group-driven Reinforcement Learning for Personalized mHealth Interventioncited by 6

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2025: 1; 2026: 1.

2 papers.

  1. 2025Stable Thompson Sampling: Valid Inference via Variance Inflationcited by 8
  2. 2026Uncertainty-Aware Selection of Online Algorithms with Simulator Ensemblescited by 0

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2024A Deployed Online Reinforcement Learning Algorithm In An Oral Health Clinical Trial
  2. 2024Monitoring Fidelity of Online Reinforcement Learning Algorithms in Clinical Trials
  3. 2025DentalGPT: Incentivizing Multimodal Complex Reasoning in Dentistry
  4. 2024Artificial Intelligence-based Decision Support Systems for Precision and Digital Health
  5. 2024reBandit: Random Effects based Online RL algorithm for Reducing Cannabis Use
  6. 2025Combining LLM decision and RL action selection to improve RL policy for adaptive interventions
  7. 2024MiWaves Reinforcement Learning Algorithm
  8. 2024Medical Knowledge Integration into Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Dynamic Treatment Regimes