Artificial Intelligence Readiness Among Dental Students in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence is increasingly applied in dentistry to support diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making, yet readiness among dental students in Pakistan remains insufficiently characterized. Objective: To assess awareness, acceptance, ethical concerns, and utilization of artificial intelligence among dental students in Pakistan and to identify readiness gaps relevant to dental education. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire administered to undergraduate dental students recruited from Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The instrument assessed demographics, awareness of AI and dental applications, attitudes and perceived usefulness, ethical concerns, satisfaction with AI diagnostics, perceptions regarding professional replacement risk, and support for mandatory AI training. Descriptive statistics were computed using frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 251 participants, 98.1% were aware of AI and 80.1% had heard of AI applications in dentistry, but only 54.4% reported familiarity with specific dental AI technologies. Frequent use of AI tools was low (8.8%), and dissatisfaction with current AI diagnostic capabilities was common (45.3%). Ethical concerns were reported by 43.3% of students. Most participants believed AI could enhance clinical practice (71.3%) and strongly supported mandatory AI training in dental education (68.8%). Conclusion: Dental students demonstrated high awareness but limited familiarity and utilization of dental AI, alongside substantial ethical concerns and strong demand for structured training