Patients' Knowledge and Perceptions Towards Digital Technologies in Dentistry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: The accelerated digitalisation of dental practice is significantly influencing how patients perceive and accept modern treatments. This study uses a structured questionnaire to evaluate patients' knowledge of, and attitudes towards, digital technologies in dentistry, adopting an original, patient-centred perspective within routine clinical settings. Methods: Non-parametric statistical methods (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Spearman correlations) were employed to analyse the responses of 397 participants. To reduce selection bias, a systematic sampling technique was employed, and thorough validation ensured the consistency of the instrument. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic information, prior dental experience and opinions regarding specific digital applications (intraoral scanning (IOS), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), CAD-CAM workflows, 3D printing). Knowledge was operationalised as awareness; no keyed objective knowledge test was administered. Results: The findings show that patients generally accept digital technologies, with perceptions of costs, prior experience of digital dental procedures and educational level having a significant impact. The duration of the patient-clinician relationship, the patient's dental health, and the history of orthodontic and prosthetic procedures also impacted the acceptance of digital technologies. Notably, clinical staff members were the main source of information, highlighting the importance of professional-patient communication. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of patient-friendly communication in healthcare and provide a solid basis for the implementation of patient-centred digital dentistry. Future plans should focus on creating specialised educational materials, improving digital literacy, and promoting equal access to cutting-edge technologies in urban and disadvantaged communities.