Ethical considerations on artificial intelligence in dentistry: A framework and checklist

Area of Science:

• Dental diagnostics and digital dentistry
• Health informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in healthcare

Background:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into dental practice, offering potential benefits for diagnostics, patient outcomes, and workflow efficiency.
• Ethical considerations surrounding AI in dentistry necessitate a structured approach for evaluation and implementation.
• Existing guidance documents formed the basis for developing a comprehensive framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a framework and checklist for evaluating AI applications in dentistry.
• To identify key principles for the ethical development and deployment of AI in dental settings.
• To provide guidance for stakeholders involved with AI in dentistry.

Main Methods:

• A literature review and discussion among experts informed the initial draft of the checklist and framework.
• The proposed checklist underwent an anonymous voting process by 29 members of the Topic Group Dental Diagnostics and Digital Dentistry, ITU/WHO Focus Group AI on Health.
• Consensus was reached on 11 core principles for AI in dentistry.

Main Results:

• A consensus-based checklist and framework for evaluating AI in dentistry were developed.
• Eleven key principles were identified: diversity, transparency, wellness, privacy protection, solidarity, equity, prudence, law and governance, sustainable development, accountability and responsibility, respect of autonomy, and decision-making.
• These principles aim to address ethical challenges associated with AI in dental applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework and checklist provide essential guidance for stakeholders in the dental field.
• Adherence to the identified ethical principles is crucial for the responsible development, implementation, and utilization of AI in dentistry.
• This initiative promotes ethical AI integration to enhance dental care and patient well-being.