Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Regarding Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Robotics (R) is concerned with the linkage between perception and action, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in enabling this intelligent relationship. In dentistry, AI has primarily been utilized to enhance diagnostic procedures, which are crucial for achieving favorable treatment outcomes and providing excellent patient care. Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of dentists towards R and AI in oral health and preventive dentistry. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The duration of the study was three months, from March 2022 to June 2022. A closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire using Google Forms was distributed among 161 dental professionals in South India. The questionnaire included items related to KAP towards the use of R and AI in preventive dentistry and oral health. Descriptive analysis was performed, and oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean values. Tukey’s post-hoc test was employed for group comparisons. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.17±9.18 years. Out of the 161 participants (70 males and 91 females), 133 (82.6%) had heard about R and AI in dentistry, but only 78 (48.4%) were aware of the differences between R and AI. Among the dentists, 74 (46%) believed that AI might have a future in India, and 145 (90.6%) responded that R and AI were useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 97 (60.6%) participants expressed willingness to be treated by R and AI if necessary, and 107 (66.9%) would prefer to receive lectures or workshops from a robot. Tukey’s post-hoc test revealed that the staff’s knowledge and attitude were significantly higher than those of interns, postgraduates, and private practitioners (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the majority of dentists have a negative perception of R and AI. Despite having a generally positive attitude, dentists have limited to no utilization and application of R and AI. It is crucial to raise awareness of this concept in the near future, as it has the potential to enhance treatment effectiveness and efficiency.