The swift integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into dentistry has encouraged the development of a comprehensive core curriculum to equip both undergraduate and postgraduate students with the necessary skills to appraise and utilise AI applications in the dental field. Four domains of learning outcomes are defined in this curriculum: basic definitions and terms, use cases, evaluation metrics, and issues around generalisability, representativeness, and governance of AI¹.
Given the nascent stage of AI application in dentistry, defining the exact needs of dental students is challenging. However, the current focus is on digital image analysis and patient management and communication workflows, suggesting that a deep understanding of AI's role in these systems will be essential². It's also paramount to educate future professionals about potential ethical considerations and the need for a cautious approach while implementing AI. A comprehensive AI curriculum in dental education can profoundly impact future clinical practice, fostering improved diagnostics, efficiency, precision dentistry, enhanced patient experience, and ethical AI use while promoting continuous learning to adapt to AI's rapid evolution.
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the implications of incorporating a comprehensive AI core curriculum into dental education and to explore how such a curriculum could influence future workflows in dentistry. We aim to stimulate a productive dialogue about the potential benefits and challenges of AI integration in dental education and practice and to envision practical strategies for the successful incorporation of AI into dental practice.
- Schwendicke F, Chaurasia A, et al. Artificial intelligence for oral and dental healthcare: Core education curriculum. J Dent. 2023 Jan;128:104363.
- Thurzo, Andrej, et al. ""Impact of artificial intelligence on dental education: a review and guide for curriculum update."" Education Sciences 13.2 (2023): 150.