Evaluating the understanding of AI and its Applications in Dentistry amongst Final Year Undergraduate Dental Students, a Multi-Center Survey
TL;DR
Dental students in Islamabad have basic knowledge and an optimistic attitude towards AI, however, deficiencies in technical and ethical knowledge, along with gender?related discrepancies, support the need to incorporate AI education into the dental curriculum.
Abstract
Background: Dentistry is increasingly adopting AI technology; however, the preparedness of dental students for embracing the technology is still poorly known. Objective: To examines the perception, attitude, and knowledge of the fourth-year dental students at Islamabad about the application of AI technology in dentistry and to evaluate the understanding of AI and its dental applications among final?year undergraduate dental students in a multi?center setting. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to July 2025 including 165 Bachelor of Dental Surgery Final year students. After seeking ethical approval and informed consent, Participants were recruited using stratified random sampling with equal allocation from five dental institutions located in Islamabad. Data were collected using questionnaire consisting of 19 items, using a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 26 including descriptive statistics and inferential tests i.e independent samples t?test (Welch's correction applied where variances were unequal) and one?way ANOVA. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for significant t-test results. Assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variance were verified prior to ANOVA. Results: 73.3% female participants showed strong familiarity with the AI concept (mean 4.36±0.87) but only moderate understanding of machine learning (3.36±1.09) and deep learning (3.27±1.10). Ethical concerns scored the lowest (2.98±1.02). Attitudes were predominantly positive; the highest agreement was for willingness to integrate AI into practice (3.95±0.81) and interest in AI training (3.92±0.80). Males demonstrated significantly higher total knowledge (23.25±2.94 vs 21.21±3.50, p=0.001) and more favorable attitudes (51.20±8.72 vs 48.46±5.73, p=0.047) than females. No statistically significant inter?institutional differences were observed. Conclusion: Final?year dental students in Islamabad have basic knowledge and an optimistic attitude towards AI. However, deficiencies in technical and ethical knowledge, along with gender?related discrepancies, support the need to incorporate AI education into the dental curriculum.