Table 2 Items regarding AI, consisting of participants’ perceptions, confidence, predictions, and perceived future prospects
Question | Dental students | Dentists |
|---|---|---|
N(%) | ||
Perceptions toward AI | ||
1. Are you interested in AI that is used in everyday life? | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 76(63.3) | 56(58.3) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 32(26.7) | 32(33.3) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 12(10.0) | 8(8.4) |
2. What is your main source to obtain AI information? | ||
Internet | 100(83.3) | 74(77.1) |
Newspapers | 3(2.5) | 5(5.2) |
Acquaintances | 4(3.4) | 4(4.2) |
Books or papers | 1(0.8) | 1(1.0) |
Schools or academic conferences | 10(8.3) | 11(11.5) |
Other | 2(1.7) | 1(1.0) |
3. What is the greatest advantage of AI?b | ||
Fast and objective | 22(18.3) | 31(32.3) |
Integration of extensive data | 63(52.6) | 26(27.1) |
Reduction of misdiagnosis rates | 22(18.3) | 30(31.3) |
No constraints of time and space | 3(2.5) | 0 |
No emotional exhaustion or physical limitations | 10(8.3) | 7(7.3) |
Other | 0 | 2(2.0) |
4. What is the greatest disadvantage of AI? | ||
Difficult to use for controversial issues | 19(15.8) | 9(9.4) |
Difficult to control unexpected situations | 26(21.7) | 27(28.1) |
Lack of flexibility for individual applications | 43(35.8) | 29(30.2) |
Limited consideration of the patients’ feelings | 21(17.5) | 23(24.0) |
Developed by experts with little clinical experience | 11(9.2) | 5(5.2) |
Other | 0 | 3(3.1) |
5. Do you think that schools should provide education on AI? | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 51(42.5) | 47(49.0) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 48(40.0) | 39(40.6) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 21(17.5) | 10(10.4) |
Confidence in AI | ||
6. Do you think AI’s diagnostic ability could outperform skilled dentists? | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 30(25.0) | 24(25.0) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 58(48.3) | 42(43.8) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 32(26.7) | 30(31.2) |
7. Which would you trust more if yours and the AI’s judgment are different? | ||
My judgment | 59(49.2) | 62(64.6) |
AI’s judgment | 11(9.2) | 7(7.3) |
Opinions of other dentists | 41(34.2) | 24(25.0) |
Opinions of other AI programs | 1(0.8) | 1(1.0) |
Leave it to the patient’s choice | 8(6.6) | 2(2.1) |
8. Who should be responsible when AI misdiagnoses? | ||
Dentist | 82(68.3) | 73(76.0) |
Dental hygienist | 2(1.7) | 0 |
Company that developed AI | 24(20.0) | 18(18.8) |
Patient who followed AI’s opinion | 11(9.2) | 4(4.2) |
Other | 1(0.8) | 1(1.0) |
Predictions about the application of AI | ||
9. Which role will AI play in dental healthcare?☨ | ||
Not helpful for dental healthcare | 3(2.5) | 0 |
A guide to solving rare problems | 26(21.7) | 15(15.6) |
Providing clinical data for an evidence-based dental approach | 49(40.8) | 38(39.6) |
Complementing the limits of human intelligence | 73(60.8) | 65(67.7) |
Reference for each treatment | 63(52.5) | 30(31.3) |
Complete replacement of dentist’s judgment | 0 | 1(1.0) |
Other | 3(2.5) | 2(2.0) |
TOTAL | 217(180.8) | 151(157.2) |
10. Which field of dentistry will benefit most from AI?☨ | ||
Diagnosis | 89(74.2) | 82(85.4) |
Treatment decision | 42(35.0) | 36(37.5) |
Direct treatment including surgery | 23(19.2) | 11(11.5) |
Dental care support for undeserved population | 13(10.8) | 9(9.4) |
Research and development of drugs and dental materials | 33(27.5) | 20(20.8) |
Development and improvement of social insurance system | 7(5.8) | 4(4.2) |
Other | 4(3.3) | 0 |
TOTAL | 211(175.8) | 162(168.8) |
11. Which type of dental facility will be the first to commercialize AI? | ||
Public primary care institution (e.g. public health center) | 8(6.7) | 9(9.4) |
Primary care institution (e.g. private clinic) | 14(11.6) | 12(12.5) |
Specialty clinic (e.g. orthodontics, esthetic prosthetics) | 41(34.2) | 30(31.3) |
University hospital | 57(47.5) | 45(46.8) |
Other | 0 | 0 |
12. Which branch of dentistry will be the first to commercialize AI?☨ | ||
Advanced general dentistry | 8(6.7) | 2(2.1) |
Basic dentistry | 34(28.3) | 28(29.2) |
Conservative dentistry | 14(11.7) | 12(12.5) |
Oral and maxillofacial radiology | 84(70.0) | 68(70.8) |
Oral and maxillofacial surgery | 37(30.8) | 20(20.8) |
Oral medicine | 25(20.8) | 13(13.5) |
Orthodontics | 63(52.5) | 47(49.0) |
Pediatric dentistry | 0 | 0 |
Periodontics | 3(2.5) | 2(2.1) |
Preventive dentistry | 9(7.5) | 8(8.3) |
Prosthodontics | 24(20.0) | 17(17.7) |
Other | 1(0.8) | 1(1.0) |
TOTAL | 302(251.6) | 218(227.0) |
Perceived future prospects for the application of dental AI | ||
13. Do you expect the application of dental AI to be useful? | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 90(75.0) | 68(70.8) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 25(20.8) | 23(24.0) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 5(4.2) | 5(5.2) |
14. When will dental AI be commercially available? | ||
≤ 3 years | 6(5.0) | 3(3.1) |
4–7 years | 35(29.2) | 35(36.5) |
8–11 years | 50(41.6) | 42(43.7) |
12–15 years | 17(14.2) | 9(9.4) |
≥ 16 years | 12(10.0) | 7(7.3) |
15. How often would you use dental AI if it were applied?a | ||
In all cases / in most cases | 49(40.8) | 35(36.4) |
In about half of the cases | 36(30.0) | 18(18.8) |
Only when absolutely necessary / seldom used | 35(29.2) | 43(44.8) |
16. Can dental AI replace your job in the future? | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 9(7.5) | 6(6.2) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 34(28.3) | 21(21.9) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 77(64.2) | 69(71.9) |
17. Will further improvements reduce misdiagnosis rates by dental AI?b | ||
Strongly agree / agree | 105(87.5) | 77(80.2) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 10(8.3) | 18(18.8) |
Strongly disagree / disagree | 5(4.2) | 1(1.0) |