Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Didactic Education

Policy Owner: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Policy Contact: Associate Dean for Student & Resident Affairs

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy provides guidelines for the effective use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the dental school environment so that academic integrity, privacy, knowledge dissemination, critical thinking, and innovation can co-exist as GenAI technologies evolve and are integrated into oral health professions and our everyday lives. 

Faculty, learners, and staff in the School of Dentistry should use GenAI technologies with the following guiding principles in mind:

1. Autonomy: Learners, faculty, and staff are encouraged to explore and utilize GenAI tools to enhance their educational and professional activities. Autonomy in the use of GenAI fosters innovation and personal growth. Users should be equipped with sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions about the use of GenAI tools. This includes, but is not limited to, understanding the capabilities, limitations, and potential biases of these technologies.
2. Ethical Decision-Making: Users must adhere to ethical standards and professional and scholarly integrity when using GenAI. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring patient and learner confidentiality, data security, copyright and intellectual property, and the accuracy of AI-generated information. The use of GenAI tools should be transparent. Users must disclose when and how GenAI tools are being used to maintain trust and accountability. Additionally, efforts should be made to recognize and mitigate biases in GenAI systems. All AI outputs should be critically evaluated with consideration given to diverse perspectives to ensure fair and equitable outcomes.
3. Critical Thinking: The use of GenAI should enhance, not replace, critical thinking and analytical skills. Users are encouraged to critically assess AI-generated information and integrate it with their professional knowledge, judgement, and all applicable laws, regulations, and standards. It should also be noted that the dynamic nature of GenAI requires ongoing education and adaptation by users. When using GenAI it is imperative to stay informed about advancements in AI technology and its implications for dental practice and education.

Faculty who serve as course directors must include a statement of GenAI use in their syllabus. These statements will provide coherent course policies that are explicitly communicated to learners.

REASON FOR POLICY

The integration of GenAI in dental education and practice offers significant opportunities for innovation and improvement. When applied to education, technologies such as artificial intelligence have the potential to improve the quality and equity of learning, free teachers’ time to focus on their teaching and provide students with new routes to learning.

Dental AI promises benefits on several levels such as:

• For patients – better diagnostics and treatment planning;
• For dental professionals – efficiency gains as well as higher diagnostic and treatment quality;
• For healthcare services – cost reduction, objectification of treatment needs and an increase of fairness.

While the use of GenAI applications (e.g. ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, Microsoft CoPilot, Google Gemini, ResearchRabbit, Dall-e, etc.) have permeated all facets of higher education, the effectiveness of AI-enabled tools and their contribution to improving learning outcomes is not well established. As such, GenAI presents both opportunities and risks. This policy aims to provide guidelines for the ethical and effective use of GenAI, ensuring that it enhances learning and clinical practice while upholding the values of autonomy, ethical decision-making, and critical thinking.

PROCEDURES

Guidance for Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Syllabus Statements

FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS 

There are no forms associated with this policy.

APPENDICES

There are no appendices associated with this guideline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no FAQ associated with this policy.

HISTORY

• Approving Body: Council of Chairs
• Date Approved: July 13, 2025
• Date Amended:

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