Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42359018›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oral health2026

Patient and dental practitioner acceptance of artificial intelligence in dental care: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia's eastern province.

Shimaa Rifaat, Ahmad AlNassar, Anas AlQuraishi, Naif AlQahtani, Taiseer Wafai, Faraz Farooqi, Balgis Gaffar, Noha Taymour

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Shimaa RifaatDepartment of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmad AlNassarCollege of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Anas AlQuraishiCollege of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Naif AlQahtaniCollege of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Taiseer WafaiCollege of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Faraz FarooqiDepartment of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Balgis GaffarDepartment of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Noha TaymourDepartment of Substitutive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily emerging in dental health care field, yet successful implementation depends on stakeholder acceptance. Few studies have directly compared patient and dental practitioner perceptions within the same cultural and healthcare context. Objective: This study aimed to describe and compare awareness and acceptance of AI in dental care among patients and practitioners in Saudi Arabia's eastern province, and to explore associations with key demographic and professional characteristics identifying factors influencing its adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional self-completed questionnaire survey for patients and dental practitioners in the Eastern Province (Saudi Arabia) was conducted. Data was collected from patients and public communities who were willing to participate in the questionnaire. The final questionnaire was provided in English and Arabic versions. It was composed of 5 sections including 38 questions. The questions analyzed the participants' demographic data, evaluation of technical affinity, awareness of AI usage, perception of different aspects of AI in dental healthcare, and concerns related to AI. The validated questionnaire assessed demographics, technical affinity, AI awareness, usage, perception, and concerns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and correlation analysis. Results: Awareness of AI was remarkably high (>90%) across all demographics. AI usage was significantly higher among younger participants and males ( Conclusion: This study reveals a positive but cautious attitude toward AI in dentistry, where patients prioritize data privacy and the human touch, while practitioners advocate for a "human-in-the-loop" model that preserves clinical authority. Formal AI training was associated with higher perceived scores among dental practitioners highlighting the potential value of educational initiatives in fostering AI adoption. Bridging this perception gap requires a holistic strategy integrating comprehensive ethical frameworks, targeted education, and a strong commitment to human-centered care.

Indexed as

AI trainingartificial intelligencedentistrydigital healthinnovationpatient satisfactionSaudi arabiatrustworthiness

Identifiers

PMID42359018
PMCPMC13291476

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.