Document Type
Guidelines
Original Publisher or Platform
unpublished manuscript
Original Publication Date
2026
Abstract
This paper from AADEJ presents best-practice guidelines for the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and large language models (LLMs) in the creation, editing, and publication processes in dental writing and publishing. It examines how LLMs, such as ChatGPT, can enhance efficiency across writing and publishing workflows, while also identifying the operational risks associated with their design.
Key areas of focus include the implications of LLM algorithms and training data, particularly regarding the risks they pose to intellectual property, privacy, and the integrity of the profession’s literature. Additionally, the paper provides an overview of the legal, ethical, and copyright issues impacting authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers.
An environmental scan conducted in July 2024 assessed the awareness and adoption of GAI use guidance within the dental publishing community. A literature search of the existing GAI use guidance from journals, publishers, and publishing-ethics organizations updated in September 2025, informed this paper.
In November 2025, the stakeholder panel finalized consensus-based recommendations through a formal voting process. The resulting AADEJ model guidance statements provide a framework for dental authors, editors, and publishers to integrate GAI technologies into their work. These guidelines emphasize three core principles:
- preserving the author's authentic voice and substantive human contributions essential for copyrightability and ethical representation of authorship
- ensuring content validity and accuracy through rigorous human oversight
- ensuring transparency through clear disclosure practices that enable editors, reviewers, and readers to critically appraise the role of GAI in the work.
To support implementation, this paper includes a color-coded desk-side tool that editors and publishers can reference when developing GAI guidance policies tailored to their individual publication needs. See Additional Files for link.
Affiliation of Author, Researcher, or Creator
American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists
Recommended Citation
Smiley, Christopher J.; Frantsve-Hawley, Julie PhD; Parks, Michael JD, EE; Lynch, Francine Esq., D.BE; O'Brien, Kelly; Thieme, Ellen MLIS; Dodson, Thomas DDS, MPH, FACS; Foe, David; Gary, Chester D.D.S., J.D.; Lemke, Kelly DDS, MS; Platt, Jeffrey DDS, MS, BA; Roucka, Toni M.; and Wunderlich, Hugh DDS, "Guidance for Authors, Editors and Publishers on the Use of Generative AI" (2026). Individual Scholarship. 9.
https://commons.ada.org/individualscholarship/9