Unlocking AI Potential: Dental Students' Awareness and Hurdles

Abstract

Background-In the rapidly changing field of technology, artificial intelligence has been an increasingly popular subject. Determining dental students' knowledge and attitudes on the application of artificial intelligence in dentistry is important because of the exponential growth in its use in recent years.

Aim-This study attempts to determine the attitude, perceptions and barriers among dental undergraduate students in India towards the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry.

Material and Methods-A questionnaire based descriptive cross-sectional survey was done through google forms among the undergraduates. The survey was conducted in the period of January 2024 to June 2024. The questionnaire had 21 questions divided into several sections with the aim of evaluate dental students’ knowledge and attitudes towards AI and its potential uses in dentistry. The confidentiality of the participants was ensured, and the data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS software.

Results- A total of 242 participants responded to the questionnaire of which 128 (59%) were familiar with the working principles of AI and 87 (36%) were aware about its usage in dentistry. For most of the participants (46%) social mediawas the source of information regarding AI.33.9 % illustrated that lack of awareness and lack of training were the main reasonsthat hindered the use of AI.29.8 % agreed that AI applications being included in undergraduate training curriculum.

Conclusion- In accordance to the outcomes of the current study, students were aware of artificial intelligence and had the belief that it would transform dental practice in the future. Further research into the applications of AI and its incorporation into dental curricula is necessary.