Awareness and Knowledge of Intra-oral Scanners among Dental Professionals in Gujarat: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Abstract Background: Intra-oral scanners (IOS) are transforming dental practice by enabling digital impressions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and patient comfort. Despite the global growth of digital dentistry, awareness and use of IOS among Indian dentists remain variable. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward intra-oral scanners among dental professionals in Gujarat, India, using a questionnaire-based survey. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 650 dental professionals across Gujarat. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, professional background, awareness and use of IOS, self-rated knowledge, perceived benefits and barriers, and intention to adopt IOS in practice. Responses were analyzed with SPSS v26 (p<0.05). Descriptive statistics summarized frequencies and percentages, and chi-square tests examined associations between variables (e.g. qualification level and IOS usage).Results: Of 650 respondents, 75.7% reported having heard of intra-oral scanners (Table 1), and 67.4% had used an IOS clinically. Most participants (56.3%) rated their IOS knowledge as “good,” with only 1.1% reporting no knowledge. A strong majority (80.9%) agreed that IOS improve clinical outcomes over conventional impressions. The most cited benefits were increased patient comfort (85.4%) and faster procedures (67.5%). Leading barriers were limited patient acceptance (63.7%), high cost (55.5%), and technical challenges (55.2%). Notably, 74.6% of respondents indicated they would consider incorporating IOS in the future. Chi-square analysis showed no significant association between qualification (BDS vs. MDS) and awareness of IOS (χ²=0.28, p=0.89). However, IOS usage was significantly higher among MDS holders (71.2%) than BDS holders (61.2%) (χ²=6.82, p=0.03). Conclusion: Dental professionals in Gujarat demonstrated generally high awareness of intra-oral scanners, and many have adopted the technology in practice. Attitudes were largely positive, with most practitioners recognizing benefits for patient comfort and clinical efficiency. The main obstacles identified were cost, patient acceptance, and need for training. These findings suggest that continued education and support could further boost IOS adoption in the region. Integrating digital scanning into dental curricula and professional development may help bridge remaining gaps between knowledge and practice.