Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Dental Professionals Regarding Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in...

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have now come to redefine the face of different healthcare paradigms, including dentistry. AI refers to the development of computer systems that are intended to simulate human intelligence. Robotics applies these systems to achieve tasks. There has been global advancement in AI and robotics; however, their use in Indian health care is still scant. This article evaluates the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of dental professionals concerning AI and robotics in the oral health of Lucknow city in India. Objectives This study aims to assess the awareness of dental professionals regarding AI and robotics, as well as evaluate their attitudes toward integrating AI into dental practice. Additionally, it seeks to identify gaps in knowledge related to AI applications in dentistry and explore potential barriers to its adoption in clinical practice. Methods This cross-sectional, observational survey included 285 dental professionals (independent practitioners, postgraduate students, and faculty members) in Lucknow, India. A pre-validated questionnaire with 18 closed-ended questions was used for data collection via Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA). The sampling method was non-probability snowball sampling, and data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 26.0, Armonk, NY). Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between demographics and responses. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Validation metrics for the questionnaire were included to enhance credibility. Results Most participants had knowledge of robotics (88.8%) and AI (96.5%). However, 14.4% to 20.4% of respondents lacked awareness of specific AI applications. A majority (77.5%) agreed that AI facilitates computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) processes, yet 73% expressed skepticism about AI fully replacing dentists. Conclusion Dental professionals in Lucknow generally support AI and robotics integration but exhibit significant knowledge gaps. Structured AI education and continuous professional training are essential for successful integration into dental practice. Ethical considerations, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and AI accountability, should be addressed in future policies.