Awareness and Adoption of Regenerative Dentistry among Dental Students and Practitioners in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Regenerative dentistry, an emerging branch of dental science, focuses on biological restoration of oral tissues using advanced techniques such as stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, platelet-rich plasma, and guided tissue regeneration. While these approaches are widely recognized internationally, their clinical adoption remains inconsistent in developing countries like Pakistan due to training, cost, and infrastructure limitations. Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and adoption of regenerative dentistry among dental students and practitioners in Pakistan and to identify barriers that hinder its integration into routine clinical practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2025 using a structured, close-ended online questionnaire distributed among dental professionals and senior undergraduate students across Pakistan. Convenience sampling yielded 204 responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS v27 to determine awareness levels, clinical adoption rates, and perceived barriers. Results: Of 204 respondents, 91.7% were aware of regenerative dentistry, 74.5% understood its scope, and 68.1% were familiar with its clinical applications. The most recognized approaches were stem cell therapy (79.9%) and guided tissue regeneration (73%). However, only 28.9% reported implementing regenerative endodontics and 32.8% used guided tissue regeneration clinically. Key barriers included insufficient training (66.7%), low patient awareness (62.7%), high costs (52.9%), and limited infrastructure (38.2%). Nearly all participants (98%) supported incorporating regenerative dentistry into curricula. Conclusion: Despite widespread awareness of regenerative dentistry among Pakistani dental professionals, clinical adoption remains limited due to educational, economic, and infrastructural constraints. Integrating regenerative concepts into dental curricula, enhancing hands-on training, improving resource availability, and increasing patient awareness are crucial for translating knowledge into clinical practice.