Background:
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI (GenAI), is fundamentally transforming dental education by enabling highly personalized learning and refining clinical decision-making. However, the rapid adoption of tools like ChatGPT has outpaced the establishment of formal educational guidelines, thereby introducing novel ethical and practical concerns.
Methods:
A comprehensive narrative review was conducted, synthesizing current literature and authoritative reviews published since 2020, with a focus on the integration of GenAI integration in dental education. Additional sources were identified from key bibliographies. This review critically evaluates the impacts, challenges, and optimal strategies for incorporating AI across into undergraduate and postgraduate dental curricula.
Results:
AI tools, especially GenAI, are increasingly being integrated into teaching, learning, and assessment. Documented benefits include personalized feedback, realistic clinical case simulations, and improved diagnostic reasoning. These technologies promote educational efficiency, pedagogical innovation, and student engagement. However, significant risks remain, including threats to academic integrity (e.g., AI-generated assignments), algorithmic bias, and data privacy issues. Most dental institutions currently lack discipline-specific AI policies, though broader university and global guidelines emphasize ethical use, transparency, and critical thinking. Successful integration depends on comprehensive faculty development, clear ethical frameworks, and student literacy regarding the capabilities and limitations of AI.
Conclusion:
The integration of AI, and GenAI, into dental education offers transformative potential but also introduces unique challenges. Proactive curriculum development and institutional policies are essential to harness these technologies effectively while upholding academic integrity and ethical standards.