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Navigating the AI Landscape in Dental Education: Understanding Faculty Concerns and Student Motivations

At Immersify Education, we’re constantly engaging with the academic community to understand the evolving challenges they face, particularly around student engagement and technology. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of attending industry events, most recently the ADEA Deans’ Conference, where I had in-depth conversations with leaders in dental education. One issue that rose to the surface in nearly every discussion was a concern about academic integrity and, more specifically, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in student learning.

The rise of AI-powered tools, from generative AI to personalized learning platforms, has brought about a seismic shift in how students approach their education. While AI offers substantial benefits, it also raises important questions. Faculty members worry about students potentially compromising academic integrity by using AI tools. However, it’s essential to dig deeper and recognize that most students aren’t using AI as a potential shortcut to attaining educational goals. Instead, a variety of pressures and motivations are driving students to turn to these tools. Understanding these can help institutions better support their students in an increasingly complex digital environment.

The Core Concerns of Faculty Members in Dental Programs

The Authenticity of Student Work: Faculty members value student work that reflects their own critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and technical skills. When students use AI-generated content in assignments, it raises questions about the authenticity of their understanding and hinders educators’ ability to gauge their true comprehension and skill levels.
Erosion of Fundamental Skills: Dental education, rooted in practical, hands-on learning, relies heavily on developing clinical reasoning and manual dexterity. Some educators worry that students who rely too much on AI may struggle to develop these essential skills, leading to potential gaps in their clinical competence when interacting with real patients.
Difficulty in Assessing Knowledge Gaps: AI can mask knowledge gaps, making it challenging for instructors to identify areas where students genuinely need support. Faculty members fear that students may use AI to “fill in” missing knowledge without truly understanding or retaining the information, which can have long-term repercussions on their ability to provide safe, effective care.
Long-Term Impact on Professional Integrity: In a field like dentistry, where ethical considerations and patient trust are paramount, faculty members worry about the slippery slope of academic integrity. If students become accustomed to cutting corners during their education, there are concerns this behavior could carry over into professional practice, impacting their reputation and the reputation of the profession.

Why Students Turn to AI Tools

While faculty concerns are valid, it’s essential to consider the pressures that drive students toward AI. Students’ use of AI isn’t usually about subverting academic integrity; it’s often a response to the demands and challenges of modern education. Here are some of the key reasons students might rely on these tools:

Intense Academic Workloads: Dental students face a rigorous schedule with demanding clinical, practical, and theoretical components. AI tools can help them manage their workload by providing quick summaries, explanations, or solutions to complex problems. This support can be a lifeline for students struggling to keep up, enabling them to meet deadlines without sacrificing their mental health.
The Pressure to Achieve Perfection: With high standards in clinical precision and diagnostic accuracy, dental students are often under immense pressure to succeed. AI tools can offer reassurance, allowing students to double-check their work and gain confidence in their answers. For many, it’s about quality assurance rather than academic dishonesty.
Filling Knowledge Gaps Due to Limited Resources: Not all students have the same access to academic support, mentoring, or study resources. Some turn to AI to fill these gaps, using it as a study aid to better understand difficult concepts or complex dental procedures. For these students, AI serves as a tool to make learning more accessible.
Personalized Learning and Study Efficiency: AI-driven tools often adapt to the user’s needs, allowing for a more personalized study experience. Many students appreciate this customization, as it helps them focus on areas where they need the most improvement. This tailored support is appealing because it allows them to maximize study efficiency without unnecessary repetition.

Rethinking AI in Dental Education

Understanding why students use AI can help faculty members address the challenges of academic integrity more effectively. Rather than viewing AI as an outright threat, institutions can consider ways to integrate these tools into their curriculum in a structured and ethical manner. By setting clear guidelines on acceptable use, educators can empower students to use AI responsibly, reinforcing its role as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, their learning.

It is important to see the rise in use of AI not as a potential problem in terms of dental education but should, in fact, be integrated and recognized as the potentially valuable tool that it is. Initial reservations are to be expected, much like those that almost certainly appeared with the appearance of the internet in the 1990’s and yet is now widely regarded as a valuable tool not only in education but in almost every aspect of our lives. It is therefore important to maintain a balance in our views regarding the use of AI, particularly in healthcare. Furthermore, students and dental professionals will be exposed to and will almost certainly use AI in their dental studies and careers, and this is highly likely to increase in prevalence as technology improves. It is therefore important not to resist change but rather embrace and be proactive with exploring the role of AI in dentistry. This is highlighted within the recent American Dental Association Standards Committee on Dental Informatics White Paper No. 1106 (Overview of Artificial & Augmented Intelligence Uses in Dentistry, 2022) which highlights the use of AI in clinical and non-clinical settings. In addition, universities can help by creating programs that focus on digital literacy, teaching students how to critically evaluate and ethically incorporate AI into their studies. This proactive approach not only enhances student engagement but also prepares future dental professionals for a field that will inevitably be impacted by technology.

A Collaborative Approach to a Complex Issue

The path forward is one of collaboration. By addressing faculty concerns and understanding student motivations, dental programs can foster an educational environment that upholds academic integrity while leveraging the benefits of AI. When students feel supported and understand the ethical boundaries of AI use, they are more likely to view it as a tool for growth rather than a shortcut.

At Immersify Education, we’re dedicated to creating learning experiences that respect the values of both educators and students. By working together, we can navigate the evolving AI landscape in dental education to promote integrity, engagement, and excellence for the future of the field

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