Ethical and Regulatory Perception of Artificial Intelligence Among Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Given the rapid pace of digital technology and AI integration, addressing humanitarian concerns and potential ethical dilemmas in future dentistry treatment approaches is paramount. This study aimed to provide an overview of ethical problem awareness among dental students.

Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty students were recruited. An online survey with 24 multiple choice questions was created on 14 AI domains: familiarity, ethical norms, applications, data management, regulation, database location for training, personal data access, access responsibility, AI's impact on healthcare, moral and legal responsibility, AI and human responsibility, prohibited areas and AI's role in dentistry.

Results: Significant gender, education and regional differences existed among participants (p < 0.05). Only 25% never heard or used AI. Legal experts and professional boards were perceived as crucial for AI ethics (54.7%), data management (60.6%) and decision making (52.3%). Participants favoured clinicians taking the primary role in decision-making (51.6% very often, 10.9% always). AI impact was perceived as positive on diagnostics (42.1%), therapy (56%) and medical engineering (83.6%). Clinicians were assigned high (50.8%) or very high (14.1%) moral responsibility and high (25.7%) and very high (15%) legal responsibility for medical errors. Most participants recommended minor restrictions, including AI making life-or-death decisions (79.5%). AI was supported for treatment planning (68.5%), active treatment participation (43.8%), treatment evaluation (56.9%) and disease prediction (56.9%).

Conclusions: Significant demographic differences in AI ethics awareness among dental students highlight the need for inclusive AI ethics education and interdisciplinary governance frameworks in dentistry.