Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry Education & Research Collaborative
The Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry Education and Research Collaborative (AIDEC) is a permanent initiative of the VA Greater Los Angeles Dental Service. It serves as a hub for education and scholarly research on artificial intelligence in dentistry — reflecting VA’s commitment to innovation and excellence in Veteran care.
Supported by Institute of Learning and Education Development (ILEAD), and VHA SimLEARN.
Our Mission
To advance education and research in artificial intelligence as it relates to dentistry, focusing exclusively on non-clinical, simulation-based learning and scholarly study. AIDEC promotes responsible, evidence-based understanding of AI’s potential to improve training, efficiency, and patient outcomes across VA’s dental services.
Our Vision
To create a collaborative forum where VA dentists, educators, and partners learn, test, and study artificial intelligence technologies in a responsible, ethical, and transparent manner — positioning the VA as a national leader in AI education and research.
Core Focus Areas
- Education – Building AI literacy among dental trainees, faculty, and staff.
- Research – Conducting non-clinical, simulation-based studies of AI tools in dentistry.
- Collaboration – Bringing together VA dentists, academic institutions, and ethical industry
partners. - Dissemination – Sharing results through education, scholarship, and professional forums.
Guiding Principles
AIDEC operates on the values of service, humility, integrity, and collaboration. All activities are
conducted with transparency and alignment to VA’s broader mission to serve Veterans through
education, innovation, and high reliability.
Strategic Alignment
AIDEC supports the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2024 AI Strategy, ‘Building the Future:
Adopting High-Impact Artificial Intelligence to Improve Services for Veterans.’ The initiative
demonstrates how innovation in education and research strengthens the foundation of care for
those who served.
Contact
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System – Dental Service
Email: VHAAIDEC@va.gov
Dr. Owais Farooqi, DDS, MDS, MPH, FACHE
Chair, AIDEC
VA Greater Los Angeles health care
Donald DeNucci, DDS, MS
Executive Founding Member
VA Greater Los Angeles health care
Dr. Elizabeth Nunez, DMD, MST, FICD
Executive Founding Member
VA Tampa health care
*This website provides educational and research information only; no clinical guidance or patient
data is collected.