Evaluation of Dental Students' and Dentists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment

Objectives A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2024 at the Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University to evaluate the perspectives of dental students and dentists on artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of robotic systems in dental treatment. Materials and Methods The study was conducted through an online questionnaire completed by 450 participants divided into three groups: Group A (first and second-year students), Group B (third, fourth and fifth-year students) and Group C (dentists). The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, levels of knowledge and interest in AI, opinions on robotic technologies, and the perceived role of AI in dental practice. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25 with descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests. Results Among the participants, 76.2% were female and 23.8% were male. The majority reported limited knowledge about AI applications in dentistry. 79.8% of the participants disagreed that AI could replace dentists, emphasizing instead its potential to support clinical practice. In caries diagnosis and treatment, most participants preferred that dentists utilize AI assistance rather than robotic systems functioning independently. Conclusions The findings indicate the importance of incorporating AI into dental education programs. Clinical experience and level of specialization were identified as factors influencing trust in AI systems. Participants strongly emphasized that robotic systems should work in collaboration with dentists rather than operate on its own.