Digital infrastructure and readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) - enabled dentistry: technology adoption and barriers among dental practitioners in Bengaluru, India
Cross-sectional survey reveals uneven digital technology adoption among practicing dentists, indicating key training and financial barriers to AI readiness.
Key Points
To evaluate the adoption of digital technologies, patterns of use, and implementation barriers to assess digital readiness for artificial intelligence-enabled dentistry.
Conducted a cross-sectional survey among 138 practicing dentists across private and academic institutions using quota-based purposive sampling in Bengaluru, India.
Administered a pretested structured questionnaire capturing sociodemographic variables, technology availability, utilisation patterns, and perceived barriers, analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable regression.
Digital radiography (91.3%) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (68.84%) had the highest availability, whereas intraoral cameras (52.17%) and CAD/CAM systems (34.06%) were less accessible.
High acquisition costs, inadequate practitioner training, and maintenance expenses were the most frequently reported implementation barriers.
Multivariable analysis demonstrated that greater clinical experience, male sex, and higher perceived implementation barriers were independently associated with greater digital technology uptake.