Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: Boon or Bane? A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Perceptions, Acceptance, and Ethical Concerns Among Dental Professionals

Abstract

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare through automated data analysis, pattern recognition, clinical decision support, and workflow optimization. Dentistry has increasingly incorporated AI-based technologies into radiographic diagnosis, orthodontics, implantology, prosthodontics, oral pathology, and practice management.[1][2][3][4]Despite these advances, concerns regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, medico-legal responsibility, cost, and the preservation of clinician–patient interaction remain important considerations.[1][5][6] Aim The present study aimed to assess the perceptions of dental professionals regarding the benefits, limitations, ethical implications, and clinical applicability of AI in dentistry and to determine their readiness to incorporate AI-based technologies into routine clinical practice. Materials and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 250 dental professionals, including undergraduate interns, postgraduate students, academicians, and private practitioners. A structured questionnaire was distributed electronically using Google Forms following Institutional Ethics Committee approval. The questionnaire evaluated demographic characteristics, awareness and perceived applications of AI, perceived benefits and limitations, and ethical and professional concerns. Data were analyzed using SPSS version XX. Results Among the 250 participants, 65% perceived AI as a valuable technological advancement capable of improving dental practice, whereas 35% expressed reservations regarding its implementation. The major perceived benefits included improved diagnostic support, increased efficiency, standardized assessment, treatment-planning assistance, and workflow optimization. The major concerns were implementation cost, data privacy, algorithmic bias, medico-legal accountability, and possible reduction in clinician–patient interaction. Participants expressed greater confidence in AI-assisted radiographic diagnosis, orthodontic planning, implant planning, and image analysis, while lower confidence was reported for complex surgical decision-making, unpredictable clinical situations, ethical decision-making, and patient communication. Conclusion Dental professionals demonstrated considerable interest in the potential applications of AI while recognizing important limitations and ethical concerns. Responsible integration of AI into dentistry requires appropriate professional training, rigorous clinical validation, data-protection mechanisms, transparency, clearly defined accountability, and continued human oversight. AI should therefore function primarily as a clinical decision-support tool rather than a replacement for professional judgment. Keywords: Artificial intelligence; dentistry; machine learning; dental professionals; digital dentistry; clinical decision support; ethics; artificial intelligence in oral and maxillofacial surgery