Estimating the use of ChatGPT in dental research publications
Abstract
Introduction Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) Large-language models such as ChatGPT have become increasingly popular in various fields. However, the impact of ChatGPT on dental research writing has yet to be quantified. This study aimed to assess ChatGPT's usage in dental research writing and discuss potential advantages and challenges. Methods Using a bibliometric design, we performed a keyword analysis of specific 'signaling words' indicative of ChatGPT use in the titles/abstracts of 299,695 dental research abstracts indexed PubMed 2018-2024. Statistical comparisons using normalized ratios per 10,000 dental publications compared changes in word frequency before and after the ChatGPT release on November 30, 2022. Results Before ChatGPT's release, the frequency of abstracts with signaling words was 47.1 per 10,000 papers. After the release, this increased to 224.2 per 10,000 papers, an increase of 177.2 per 10,000 papers (p = 0.014, 95 % CI 53.5-300.7). The word 'delve' showed the most significant usage increase (increased ratio=17.0). Conclusions This study is among the first to systematically assess the use of GenAI, specifically ChatGPT, in dental research. We found evidence of the use and growth of ChatGPT in dental research publications. This trend indicates the widespread adoption of GenAI-assisted writing in scientific communication, consistent with other scientific fields. While GenAI can potentially increase productivity and inclusivity, it raises concerns such as bias, inaccuracy, and distortion of academic incentives. Therefore, our findings support the need for clear AI guidelines and standards for academic publishing to ensure responsible use and maintain scientific integrity.
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Uribe and Maldupa (2024) reported that LLM-associated terms (delve, commendable, meticulous, and innovative) in dental research indexed in PubMed increased from 47.1 to 224.2 papers per 10,000.
“Similarly, Uribe and Maldupa (2024) reported that LLM-associated terms ( delve, commendable, meticulous , and innovative ) in dental research indexed in PubMed increased from 47.1 to 224.2 papers per 10,000.”
From How much are LLMs changing the language of academic papers after ChatGPT? A multi-database and full text analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Uribe and Maldupa, 2024
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Uribe, S. E., & Maldupa, I.
- Affiliations
- Riga Technical University (LV)
- Riga Stradiņš University (LV)
- Corresponding author
- Uribe, Sergio E.
- Venue
- Journal of Dentistry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-10
- Volume
- 149
- Pages
- 105275
- ISSN
- 0300-5712 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4401115466
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 4
- FWCI
- 40.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Dentistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Horizon 2020 (857287)
- Latvian Council of Sciences (lzp-2022/1-0047)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Academic Writing and Publishing
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › scientometrics and bibliometrics research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Keywords
- ChatGPT, generative AI, large language models, AI-assisted writing, abstract language, scientific integrity
- MeSH terms
- Artificial Intelligence, Humans, Writing, Bibliometrics, Dental Research
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