What the study found
The study argues that dental curricula should include artificial intelligence (AI) competencies throughout training. It says early students should learn basic AI knowledge and ethics, while senior students should learn to use AI tools in clinical tasks and interpret AI outputs critically.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say rapid advances in AI that support clinical workflows and processes require systematic educational strategies. They conclude that dental education should help create an AI-proficient dental workforce and that AI teaching must be balanced with core dental competencies.
What the researchers tested
This is a perspective article, not an empirical study. The authors propose integrating AI education vertically from preclinical to clinical years and horizontally with existing competencies, with assessments designed to measure expected AI competencies.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract does not report tested interventions or comparative results. Instead, it outlines a staged framework: beginner-level AI knowledge and ethics for early-stage students, clinical implementation and critical interpretation for senior learners, and AI-driven study design and novel applications for advanced students.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe limitations of the proposal or provide data on effectiveness. It also notes that AI teaching must be balanced against the large amount of technical and nontechnical content already in dental curricula.
Key points
- The article calls for a competency framework for AI in dental education.
- It recommends AI teaching across preclinical to clinical years.
- Early students should learn foundational AI knowledge and ethical considerations.
- Senior learners should be able to use AI tools in clinical tasks and interpret outputs critically.
- Advanced students should be prepared to innovate AI-driven studies and applications for oral healthcare.
- The abstract does not report empirical results or tested outcomes.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Dental education should include AI competencies
- Authors:
- Thanaphum Osathanon, Anjalee Vacharaksa, Prof Dr Falk Schwendicke, Lakshman Samaranayake
- Institutions:
- Chulalongkorn University, Chulalongkorn University, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, University of Hong Kong
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-19
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.


