Generative AI Use Policy
Journal of Dental Sciences and Education (JDSE) and MediHealth Academy recognize that artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language models (LLMs), chatbots, image-generation tools, AI agents, and other AI-assisted technologies may support certain aspects of scientific research and manuscript preparation when used responsibly and transparently.
The use of AI-assisted technologies must not replace human judgment, scientific expertise, critical evaluation, or accountability. Authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers remain responsible for maintaining the accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, transparency, and ethical standards of the scientific publication process.
Use of AI by Authors
Authors may use AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation for purposes such as language improvement, organization of content, literature exploration, or other appropriate support activities.
However, authors remain fully responsible for all material submitted to JDSE.
Authors must:
- Carefully review and verify the accuracy, completeness, validity, and impartiality of any AI-assisted output;
- Verify all references and source information, as AI-generated references may be inaccurate, incomplete, or fabricated;
- Ensure that all appropriate sources are properly cited and that AI-assisted content does not result in plagiarism, copyright infringement, or inappropriate reuse of material;
- Ensure that the manuscript reflects the authors’ own scientific analysis, interpretation, conclusions, and intellectual contribution;
- Protect confidential, personal, proprietary, patient-related, or otherwise sensitive information when using AI-assisted technologies;
- Review the terms of use, privacy policies, and data-processing practices of any AI tool used; and
- Take full responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, originality, and content of the submitted and published work.
AI-assisted technologies must not be listed or cited as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires responsibilities and accountability that can only be assumed by human contributors.
AI-generated material must not be cited as a primary scientific source.
Declaration of AI Use
Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies when submitting a manuscript.
The disclosure must be provided:
- In the cover letter at the time of submission; and
- In the manuscript, where applicable, in a dedicated section placed before the References.
The disclosure should identify the AI tool or service used and clearly explain how and for what purpose it was used.
Suggested section title:
Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Manuscript Preparation Process
Suggested statement:
“During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL / SERVICE] for [PURPOSE]. Following the use of this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed, verified, and edited the content as necessary and take full responsibility for the content of the manuscript.”
Routine use of basic tools limited to spelling, grammar, reference formatting, or similar technical corrections generally does not require disclosure.
Failure to disclose material use of AI-assisted technologies may result in editorial action and may be evaluated under JDSE's publication ethics policies.
AI-Generated or AI-Modified Images
The use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to create, alter, enhance, reconstruct, or manipulate scientific images, figures, photographs, radiological images, pathological images, microscopy images, or other research data must be disclosed.
AI tools must not be used to create or alter primary research data in a manner that misrepresents the original data or scientific findings.
Adjustments to images must not obscure, remove, introduce, move, or modify features in a way that could affect scientific interpretation.
Where AI-assisted image processing is scientifically justified, authors must clearly describe:
- The tool or software used;
- The purpose of its use;
- The extent of the modification;
- The relevant methodological details; and
- Any validation or quality-control procedures applied.
JDSE may request original, unprocessed image files or additional documentation during editorial evaluation.
Use of AI by Peer Reviewers
Manuscripts submitted to JDSE are confidential and privileged communications.
Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, figures, supplementary materials, peer-review reports, or other confidential submission materials into publicly accessible or third-party AI systems when confidentiality, data security, and authors’ rights cannot be assured.
Reviewers who wish to use an AI-assisted technology in the review process must comply with JDSE's policy and obtain prior permission from the Journal when required.
Any permitted use of AI during peer review must be disclosed to the Journal.
Reviewers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, appropriateness, originality, and scientific integrity of their review comments. AI-generated output must not replace the reviewer's independent scientific judgment.
Use of AI by Editors and Editorial Staff
Editors and editorial staff must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and related correspondence.
Confidential manuscript material must not be uploaded into external AI systems when confidentiality, data security, intellectual property protection, or authors’ rights cannot be assured without the authors’ explicit permission.
Editors must not rely on AI-assisted technologies as a substitute for independent editorial judgment or decision-making.
If JDSE or MediHealth Academy uses AI-assisted technologies for editorial, production, copy-editing, technical, or other publication-related purposes, such use should comply with applicable confidentiality, data-protection, and publication-ethics requirements.
Editorial decisions remain the responsibility of qualified human editors.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Authors, reviewers, and editors must not enter confidential, identifiable, proprietary, unpublished, or sensitive information into AI systems unless the security, confidentiality, intellectual property, and data-protection requirements of the Journal and applicable regulations are fully satisfied.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Unpublished manuscripts;
- Patient-identifiable information;
- Confidential peer-review material;
- Proprietary datasets;
- Ethics committee documents;
- Unpublished research findings; and
- Confidential correspondence.
Policy Review
Artificial intelligence technologies and related standards are evolving rapidly. JDSE and MediHealth Academy may revise this policy periodically in accordance with developments in scientific publishing, research integrity, data protection, and international editorial standards.
