The Relationship between ChatGPT Usage Attitudes and Plagiarism Perception among Dental Hygiene Students

Objective: In this study, we aimed to analyze the experience of dental hygiene students in ChatGPT use and examine the correlations among trust, risk, media use self-efficacy, continued ChatGPT use intention, and the perception of plagiarism. Methods: We conducted a crosssectional survey, involving 251 undergraduate dental hygiene students. The questionnaire assessed the ChatGPT experience, learning effectiveness, continued intention to use, trust, risk perception, and perceptions of the four types of plagiarism. We analyzed the data using t-tests, one-way ANOVA, pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression setting the statistical significance at p < 0.05. Results: Students with lower interest and satisfaction in their major courses as well as with lower levels of self-directed learning, demonstrated higher levels of plagiarism justification perception. Moreover, perceptions of plagiarism justification was higher among those with higher-level media use self-efficacy and higher trust in ChatGPT. Furthermore, the intention to continue using ChatGPT was influenced by media use self-efficacy, trust in ChatGPT, and the ChatGPT-associated perceived risk. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need for integrated ethics education on generative AI in dental hygiene programs. Such education should foster critical thinking and the responsible use of AI, addressing both the opportunities and ethical challenges posed by such tools.