Dental professionals and students in the Netherlands broadly support the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, viewing it as a tool that could improve efficiency and patient care rather than replace clinicians, according to a pilot study published in the International Dental Journal.
Researchers surveyed 166 participants — including dentists, dental students and maxillofacial surgeons — to gauge attitudes toward AI adoption in the dental field. Dentists made up 61% of respondents, while dental students accounted for 34% and surgeons for about 5%.
Overall, participants reported a positive outlook toward AI and did not view it as a threat to their roles. Instead, most respondents believed AI could save time, enhance clinical decision-making and support diagnosis across multiple areas of dentistry.
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Detecting jaw pathologies
The survey found the highest perceived value for AI in diagnostic and planning tasks. Respondents identified several applications where AI could be particularly useful, including detecting jaw pathologies, identifying dental caries, diagnosing periodontal and endodontic abnormalities, evaluating treatment outcomes and supporting surgical planning in oral and maxillofacial procedures. AI-assisted 3D implant planning and positioning also ranked among the most promising uses.
At the same time, respondents emphasized the importance of education and training to support the technology’s integration into clinical practice. Participants said AI should be incorporated into dental and medical school curricula, as well as postgraduate training programs and professional conferences.
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Adoption remains low
The researchers note that despite rapid advances in AI research, adoption in clinical dentistry remains relatively low. Understanding how dental professionals perceive the technology could help guide implementation strategies and curriculum development.
The authors conclude that preparing both current practitioners and future dental professionals to work with AI will be essential for its responsible and effective integration into dentistry. Such an approach could allow clinicians to play an active role in shaping how AI tools are developed and used in patient care.
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