Knowledge and Perception of Artificial Intelligence among Dental Students- A Cross-sectional Study in Chennai, India

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, including dentistry. While AI offers potential benefits and its integration is still emerging, research on dental students' understanding of AI remains limited, especially in developing nations like India. This study aims to assess dental students' knowledge and perception regarding AI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students from a private dental institution. A structured questionnaire was administered to assess participants' knowledge and perception of artificial intelligence. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The study findings reveal that 63.8% of participants demonstrated moderate knowledge of artificial intelligence, while only 19.1% had received formal training in the subject. Participants perceived improved diagnostic accuracy (47.9%) as a primary benefit of AI integration, yet identified lack of awareness (43.9%) and associated costs (45.1%) as significant barriers to adoption. Dental professionals exhibited a neutral stance toward AI adoption (46.5%) and its integration into the curriculum (46.7%). A gender disparity was evident, with males demonstrating higher AI knowledge levels (19.8%) and expressing greater concern for patient data privacy (32.7%) than female counterparts. Conclusion: As AI continues to evolve and integrated into healthcare, ongoing assessment of educational needs and knowledge gaps among dental students is essential. This will ensure that future practitioners are not only aware of AI's capabilities but also equipped to leverage them for improving patient care and advancing dental practice.