Attitudes, perceptions and awareness of Artificial Intelligence among dental students in Turkiye

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of dental students in Turkiye toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to explore their views regarding the integration of AI into dental education and clinical practice. Methods: This study employed a descriptive, observational cross-sectional design and included undergraduate dental students from multiple dental faculties throughout Turkiye. Data were obtained using a structured online questionnaire adapted from an instrument with established validity. The survey collected information on the participants’ sociodemographic features, their level of familiarity with AI, and their attitudes toward its use in dental practice. The data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and between-group comparisons, with statistical significance defined as p<0.05. Results: A total of 817 dental students participated in this study. The majority of participants reported familiarity with AI and demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward its use in dentistry. AI was widely perceived as a supportive tool in diagnostic and treatment planning processes, particularly in radiographic evaluation. No statistically significant differences were observed in attitudes toward the inclusion of AI in undergraduate education according to gender or year of study. However, more cautious attitudes were observed regarding the use of AI as a definitive diagnostic tool and its potential to replace dentists. Conclusion: Dental students in Turkiye generally hold positive perceptions of AI and view it as a complementary technology in dental practice rather than a replacement for human clinicians. The findings support the integration of AI education into undergraduate dental curricula and highlight the need for structured training programs to ensure the effective and ethical use of AI in dentistry.