Provisional agenda item 12.10. Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector.

IADR welcomes the report and its focus on harmonized governance for data, digital health, and artificial intelligence.

Digital tools and AI can strengthen research, surveillance, early detection, and access to care, but they must be safe, ethical, interoperable, and equitable. IADR’s Ethics in Artificial Intelligence in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research policy statement emphasizes responsible use grounded in transparency, accountability, privacy, explainability, equity, and human oversight.

We call on Member States to include oral health in national digital health strategies, standards, workforce training, and research investments. Governance should ensure AI-enabled tools are built on representative data, validated in diverse populations, guided by clear accountability, and monitored over time.

Thank you.