Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Iraqi dentists regarding artificial intelligence in dentistry

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool in dentistry. It is therefore crucial for dentists to be knowledgeable about these technologies and adaptable to their practical applications. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Iraqi dentists regarding the use of AI in dentistry. Methods This was a questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire was distributed electronically via social media platforms and consisted of 3 sections. The first section collected demographic data. The second covered knowledge of the working principles of AI and the main sources of this knowledge. The third section comprised 15 questions assessing participants' attitudes and perceptions toward the application of AI in dentistry. Results A total of 535 responses were received. Men represented 61.1% of participants, and 64.1% of sampled dentists were 40 years or older. Postgraduate dentists accounted for 55.1% of all respondents. A positive level of knowledge regarding AI and its working principles was found in 71.4% of the responses, with social media being the main source of information. The highest positive response rate was related to the use of AI applications as part of postgraduate dental education. In contrast, the lowest positive response rate (12.9%) concerned whether AI would replace dentists in the future. A statistically significant difference in attitude and perceptions about the application of AI in dentistry was found between male and female respondents. Conclusions Iraqi dentists must be motivated to become more familiar with the benefits and applications of AI through formal education and training programs.