Assessment of Dental Student’s Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Digital Dentistry

Year 2025, Volume: 3 Issue: 3, 63 - 68, 31.12.2025

Dalndushe Abdulaı , Raghıb Suradı

https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1818115

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental students regarding digital dentistry including CAD/CAM systems, 3D-printing technologies, and intraoral scanning.
Material and method A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students at Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry. The questionnaire consisted of three main sections: demographics, knowledge and awareness of digital dentistry applications. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between student’s study level and their level of digital dentistry awareness.
Results Of the 307 respondents, 63.8% were female and 36.2% male, mostly aged 20–24 years. Preclinical students represented 74.9% and clinical students 25.1% of participants. General awareness of digital technology in dentistry was 58.5%, while knowledge of CAD/CAM applications (32.7%) and virtual articulators (30.7%) remained limited. Over 70% of students could not identify materials or file formats used in 3D printing or CAD/CAM workflows. A significant relationship was observed between the year of study and digital awareness (χ² = 29.651, p < 0.001), indicating that clinical students were significantly more familiar with digital systems than preclinical students.
Conclusion Dental students demonstrated moderate awareness but limited practical knowledge of digital dentistry. Clinical exposure enhanced familiarity with CAD/CAM and 3D-printing technologies. These findings highlight the need for integrating structured digital dentistry education earlier in the dental curriculum to improve technological competence and readiness for modern clinical practice.

Keywords

Dental education , Digital dentistry , Intraoral scanners , Undergraduate students , Virtual articulator

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Biruni University Ethics Committee (No: 2024-BİAEK/14-24)

References

• Umer, M. F., Faheemuddin, M., Alshehri, Y. A., Algosaibi, A. A., Alojail, A. A., Althani, A. A., Alnaim, M. A., & Alharbi, S. A. (2024). Assessment of digital dentistry knowledge and practices among dental students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 30, e944692.
• Róth, I., Czigola, A., Joós-Kovács, G. L., Dalos, M., Hermann, P., & Borbély, J. (2020). Learning curve of digital intraoral scanning: An in vivo study. BMC Oral Health, 20(1), 287.
• Alqahtani, S. M., Chaturvedi, S., Alahmari, M. A., Alaleyani, A. M., Alqahtani, A. A., Sahal, A. A., & Salem, M. (2024). Digital impression (intraoral scanners) and factors affecting its accuracy: An insight into knowledge and awareness amongst graduates and clinical practitioners. BMC Oral Health, 24(1), 1323.
• Fayyaz, Y., Ali, M., Ullah, R., & Shaikh, M. S. (2024). Applications of 3D-printed teeth in dental education: A narrative review. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 19(4), 816–822.
• Karagkounaki, A., Manoukakis, T., Margariti, I., Pavlou, C., & Hadjichristou, C. (2025). 3D printing in dental education: A review of its use across disciplines. Journal of Dental Education, 89(10), 1479–1486.
• Bilici Geçer, R., & Elburus, B. (2025). Awareness and attitudes toward digital technologies in orthodontics among dental students in Turkey: A cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education, 25(1), 1380.
• Ohyama, H., Duong, M. L., Yancoskie, A. E., Smiley, A. B., Syed, A. Z., Reddy, M. S., & Bencharit, S. (2025). Challenges and opportunities in implementing digital technology in dental curriculum: A review and perspective. Cureus, 17(4), e83272.
• Lam, W. Y., Mak, K. C., Maghami, E., & Molinero-Mourelle, P. (2021). Dental students’ preference and perception on intraoral scanning and impression making. BMC Medical Education, 21(1), 501.
• Acharya, A., Chodankar, R. N., Patil, R., & Patil, A. G. (2023). Assessment of knowledge, awareness, and practices toward the use of 3D printing in dentistry among dental practitioners and dental technicians: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 13(2), 253–258.
• Ketharinath, N., Kiruppashini, T., Kabilan, P., & Nagappan, C. (2024). Digital prosthodontics in the near future: Awareness among dental students on intraoral scanners and its probability of replacement over conventional methods. Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society, 24(4), 359–365.
• Alamri, H., Alshammari, F. R., Bin Rahmah, A., Alsaif, M. I., Almutairi, F., Alolaywi, H., Altariqi, A., Alotaibi, S., Almutairi, R., Almadhoon, H., & AlMoharib, H. S. (2024). Evaluating knowledge and awareness of 3D design and printing among dental students in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Dental Medicine, 5, 1466393.
• Schlenz, M. A., Michel, K., Wegner, K., Schmidt, A., Rehmann, P., & Wöstmann, B. (2020). Undergraduate dental students’ perspective on the implementation of digital dentistry in the preclinical curriculum: A questionnaire survey. BMC Oral Health, 20, 78.
• El-Kerdani, T. (2016). Preclinical course in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) digital dentistry: Introduction, technology and systems evaluation, and exercise. MedEdPORTAL: The Journal of Teaching and Learning Resources, 12, 10487.
• Usman, M. J., Latha, N., Saraswathy, A., & Makkadan Thachanath, H. (2024). Integration of three-dimensional scanning and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in routine prosthodontic practice: A cross-sectional study in Kerala. Cureus, 16(12), e76409.
• Fernandes, G. V. O., & Nassani, L. M. (2023). The implementation of CAD/CAM technology at schools of dentistry: A short communication. ENVIRO Dental Journal, 5(1), 06–08.