AWARENESS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN SANGLI, MAHARASTRA – CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Objective: This cross-sectional survey aims to assess the level of awareness and understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) among dental practitioners in Sangli, Maharashtra. With the rapid advancements in technology, including AI, it is crucial to gauge the extent to which dental professionals are familiar with these technologies, as they play an increasingly prominent role in the field of dentistry.Methods: A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data on the awareness, knowledge, and perceived relevance of AI among dental practitioners in Sangli. The survey included questions related to the understanding of AI concepts, its current applications, and the willingness of practitioners to integrate AI into their dental practices. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure a representative sample from various dental specialties.The questionnaire was distributed through an online Google forms link. The statistics done using SPSS software, chi square test was done to check the association and a p value of 0.05 was said to be statistically significant.Results: Preliminary findings reveal varying levels of awareness and knowledge about AI among dental practitioners in Sangli. 63.4% of the participants were aware that artificial intelligence is the analysis of medical data without direct human input. From the survey it was evident that 57% of the participants feel that with the help of AI clinical decision and diagnosis can be revolutionized and also found that both male and female practitioner were equally aware of the importance of application of artificial intelligence in medicine(p-value>0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that about 63.4% of the study participants were aware that Artificial Intelligence technology in medicine is beneficial to doctors and also found that both male and female practitioner were equally aware of artificial intelligence. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the knowledge gaps that exist in the dental community regarding AI and can guide future educational initiatives to enhance awareness and integration of AI in dental practices. As AI continues to evolve, it is imperative for dental professionals to stay informed and adapt to technological advancements for the improvement of patient care and overall dental practice management.