Introduction to research methodologies and to artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Research methodology

This part of the course unit introduces research methodology applied to dental sciences and consists of three modules.

Module 1: Research Methodology and Digital Tools General Research Methodology

Research Methodology (2h):
You will learn to understand the scientific process, formulate a research question, identify appropriate controls (positive and negative), and write a research protocol.
Teacher: Dorien Van hede

Types of Scientific Studies (2h):
You will discover the different levels of scientific evidence and the main guidelines applicable to each type of study.
Teacher: Isabelle Laleman

Introduction to Digital Tools (2h):
This session will cover data collection for research and basic regulatory requirements. You will learn various tips and tricks for using Office 365, Excel 365, and REDCap at a basic level. You will also learn how to share documents and collaborate effectively.
Teacher: Christelle Sanchez

Module 2: Scientific Literature Searching and Reference Management Scientific Literature Searching (3h):
You will learn how to search for and collect scientific literature and access resources through ULiège (VPN, LibKey). You will learn how to build an effective search strategy in PubMed and discover the specific features of the main databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
Teacher: Marcia Belleflamme

Practical Scientific Literature Searching (2h):
Practical application based on a research question, including searches in the different scientific databases.
Teacher: Isabelle Laleman

Reference Management (2h):
You will learn how to import and manage your bibliographic references using the free reference management software Zotero. Zotero also allows you to integrate references directly into Word and easily format them according to the required style, both within the text and in the reference list, as required by scientific journals.
Teacher: Christelle Sanchez

Module 3: Scientific Communication Publication and Dissemination of Research Results (2h):
You will discover good practices for writing and presenting research results. You will learn how to write a scientific article, prepare a poster, and deliver a convincing oral presentation. The session will also cover photo management, graph and table creation, and figure formatting.
Teacher: Dorien Van hede

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

This part of the unit introduces artificial intelligence tools applied to dental sciences: principles of machine and deep learning in dental imaging; current clinical applications (caries and periapical lesion detection on periapical and panoramic radiographs, automated segmentation and cephalometry, implant and orthodontic planning, digital CAD/CAM workflows, mucosal lesion screening support); critical appraisal of validation studies (external validation, reproducibility, selection and spectrum bias); the European regulatory framework (AI Act, medical devices, GDPR); and the ethical and relational implications of introducing these tools into dental practice.

Research methodology

By the end of this part of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the scientific process, the specific characteristics of different types of scientific studies, and develop skills in the critical appraisal of scientific publications and information;
  
  
• Conduct an effective and relevant scientific literature search using the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases;
  
  
• Use basic digital tools to record and collect data, manage and organize bibliographic references, and integrate and format references within a document;
  
  
• Understand the basic principles of writing and presenting research results in a scientific manner.
  
  

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

By the end of this part, students will be able to describe how AI tools used in dentistry work, distinguish clinically validated applications from those still at the research stage, critically appraise the methodology of a diagnostic performance study, situate a tool within the applicable European regulatory framework, and discuss the practitioner's role in AI-assisted decisions along with the limitations of these systems.

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

No formal prerequisites. Basic knowledge of dental imaging, descriptive statistics and the research methodology covered in the first part of the unit is drawn upon.

Research methodology

Seminars held in person and/or remotely

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Ten hours of asynchronous online teaching on the Braintop platform, organised as structured modules combining short theoretical units, readings and self-correcting formative quizzes. Five hours of face-to-face teaching devoted to interactive sessions: critical appraisal of articles, clinical case discussion, guided demonstration of tools, and questions arising from the online modules.

Research methodology

Blended learning

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Blended learning


Further information:

Hybrid

Research methodology

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

La santé à l'ère du numérique. N. Neysen & G. Briganti

Research methodology

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )


Further information:

Written multiple-choice examination in the June session, covering all content taught online and face to face. Assessment criteria are the accuracy of theoretical knowledge, understanding of methodological principles, and the ability to transfer these to clinical situations. This mark is combined into the overall mark for the learning unit.

Research methodology

Outside of class, students may address any questions to the relevant instructors by email or request an appointment by email. Marcia Belleflamme, Isabelle Laleman, Christelle Sanchez et Dorien Van Hede

Artificial intelligence tools in dental sciences

Prof. Giovanni Briganti giovanni.briganti@uliege.be