Examining Dentists' Awareness, Perspectives, and Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Background Processing big data using Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help identify patterns related to oral health, aiding researchers in understanding disease cycles and treatment options. Incorporating AI into patient care has transformed the healthcare sector and will continue to do so. Therefore, it is crucial to assess dentists’ awareness and utilization of AI, with the goal of understanding the current landscape of AI adoption in dental practice in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted, using a 37-item, validated, structured questionnaire distributed to 375 practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia. Proportionate stratified sampling was employed to ensure that the sample size for each region (North, South, East, West, and Central) was proportional to its population relative to the total population. Results Majority of dentists (66.9%) are somewhat aware of the basic principles of AI, while 10.1% reported no awareness. AI Knowledge acquisition was primarily gained through self-learning, according to 38.4%, followed by Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in 31.2% of cases. Dentists utilize AI mostly in research (15.92%); however, the main concern regarding AI adoption, according to 31.5%, is cost. Participants’ knowledge and experience differed significantly across regions ( P = 0.017). A similar effect was observed for perceptions and attitudes towards AI ( P = 0.008). There were no significant differences across other parameters, such as age, gender, specialty, and employment history. Discussion The findings indicate moderate AI awareness among dentists, with most knowledge gained through self-learning and limited formal training. AI use remains primarily research-oriented, reflecting early adoption stages and cost-related barriers. Significant regional variations suggest uneven access to AI resources and education, while demographic factors showed no notable influence. These results highlight the need for structured AI curricula and continuing education to enhance competency and promote equitable integration of AI technologies in dental practice across Saudi Arabia. Conclusion Dentists' knowledge, application, perceptions, and attitudes toward AI in Saudi Arabia were generally consistent across factors such as age, gender, education level, specialty, occupation, and experience. However, significant regional differences were observed.