EC Dental Science

Dentistry is one of the most interesting and challenging occupation. It deals with different types of problems - pain, destruction of living tissues, loss of function and even risk of de-socialization. It provides solutions to this multitude of issues applying methods, materials, techniques and technologies to relief pain, restore defects, functions and aesthetics, assist re-socialization of individuals and assure quality of life at individual, group and social levels.

Dentistry is a profession operating under a social contract based on self-obligation: moral, legal and practical commitments stated in a code of ethics, system of licensing and registration regimes. Professional autonomy in decision-making gives to professional group social authority while requiring from them to take responsibility for diagnostic, planning and treatment, follow up and prevention of autonomous individuals at different stage of vulnerability in a fast changing social, political, and technological environment.

Dentistry today, as a multifaceted domain of social activity, is an autonomous professional occupation, evolving global market of services, and integrated part of National Health Systems. To keep its respectable social position in the fast changing environment the ability to keep the human touch and technology together has to be recognized.

On one hand, the dental profession in lately decades got access to the latest technological tools and equipment, including AI, but on the other hand, the patients’ expectations to integral, individualized, and accessible care are growing fast. Therefore, dentistry and dentists face challenges and has a number of limitations when taking professional decision.

Professionalism is a crucial skill that every dentist must possess in the dental profession. However, the question arises of how dental educators can teach and evaluate professionalism to their under and postgraduate dental students to answer the public expectations and the new challenging factors of technological and social aspects. Educate dentists today for an integral human-to-human care and respect to the liberal character of dentistry in a digitalizing anonymous medical environment represent both a challenge and prerequisite for schools and educators. Educational answer in the era of AI can consist of enhancing critical thinking as a cognitive process that involves actively analyzing and synthesizing information not just consuming the ready to use decisions, provided by the AI sources and keep the shared values of responsibility and empathy.

 Keywords: Dental Profession; Decision-Making Process in Dentistry; Patient/Doctor Relationship; Dental Education; Critical Thinking; AI in Dentistry

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