Examining Dentists' Awareness, Perspectives, and Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform patient care and the overall healthcare sector, assessing dentists’ awareness and utilization of these technologies is essential to understanding the current landscape of integration in dental practice in Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted, utilizing a structured, 37-item validated questionnaire, distributed to 375 practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia. Proportionate stratified sampling was employed to ensure that the sample size for each region (North, South, East, West, and Central) was proportional to its population relative to the total population.

Majority of dentists (66.9%) are partially aware of the basic principles of AI, while 10.1% reported no awareness. AI Knowledge acquisition was primarily gained through self-learning, according to 38.4%. Dentists utilize AI mostly in research (15.92%); however, the main concern regarding AI integration, according to 31.5%, is cost. Statistically significant regional differences were observed in participants’ knowledge and experience (p = 0.017) and for perceptions and attitudes towards AI (p = 0.008). There were no significant differences based on other parameters such as age, gender, specialty, and employment history.

The findings indicate moderate AI awareness among dentists, with most knowledge gained through self-learning and limited formal training. AI use remains primarily research-oriented, reflecting early integration stages and cost-related barriers. Significant regional variations suggest uneven access to AI resources and education, while demographic factors showed no notable influence. These results highlight the need for structured AI curricula and continuing education to enhance competency and promote equitable integration of AI technologies in dental practice across Saudi Arabia.

Dentists' knowledge, application, perceptions, and attitudes toward AI in Saudi Arabia were generally consistent across factors such as age, gender, education level, specialty, occupation, and experience. However, significant regional differences were observed.