EVALUATING KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PERCEPTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AMONG PERIODONTISTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Mustafa Tashkandi

DOI: 10.62610/RJOR.2026.3.18.2

ABSTRACT

Aim of the study This study assessed the awareness, self-reported understanding, knowledge of potential applications, attitudes, perceptions, and self-reported use of AI among periodontists in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2025. A structured, self-administered online questionnaire—previously validated for content validity (Aiken’s V = 0.85), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88), and test–retest reliability (kappa = 0.96)—was distributed by email over one month, with reminders, using a non-probability, email-based recruitment approach. A total of 164 licensed periodontists completed the survey. Questionnaire items covering demographic, knowledge, attitude, and perception domains were analysed individually and summarized descriptively as frequencies and percentages; no composite scores were calculated and no inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results Most respondents (134/164; 81.7%) reported being aware of AI, although fewer reported full awareness of its working principles. Most agreed that AI could be applied to the clinical diagnosis of periodontal bone loss, the assessment of prognosis of periodontally compromised teeth, and the prediction of treatment outcomes and clinical attachment levels. Support for incorporating AI into postgraduate periodontal training was strong. In contrast, self-reported use of AI was limited: 35 respondents (21.3%) had used AI for research purposes, 26 (15.9%) had used AI in diagnosing periodontal conditions, and only 21 (12.8%) considered their practices adequately equipped for AI application. Responses to the perception items generally reflected favourable views of AI’s potential usefulness—including cost-efficiency, improvement of the patient experience, and application during pandemic conditions—alongside common concern regarding privacy and data security; most respondents did not view AI as a future replacement for periodontists. Conclusions Periodontists surveyed in Saudi Arabia reported broad awareness of AI and generally favourable attitudes toward its integration into education and practice, whereas self-reported practical use and perceived practice readiness remained limited. These descriptive findings indicate a gap between interest and implementation. Strengthening AI-related education, infrastructure, and institutional support may represent reasonable areas for future development, although the present study cannot establish these factors as causal determinants of adoption. Future research using representative sampling and inferential analyses is needed to identify factors associated with AI adoption among periodontists.