Digital infrastructure and readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) - enabled dentistry: technology adoption and barriers among dental practitioners in Bengaluru, India

Abstract

To assess digital readiness for AI-enabled dentistry by evaluating the uptake of digital technologies, patterns of use, and implementation barriers among dentists in Bengaluru, India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 138 practising dentists using quota-based purposive sampling across predefined practice strata to include private practitioners, government or private academic institutions, and those engaged in both. A pretested structured questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, availability, utilisation, and perceived barriers to digital technologies. Descriptive statistics summarised prevalence and usage, while chi-square and regression analyses explored associations with professional characteristics. Digital radiography (91.3%) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) (68.84%) were the most widely available technologies, whereas intraoral cameras (52.17%) and Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems (34.06%) were less accessible. Higher age of the practitioners and higher years of clinical experience were positively associated with digital technology adoption. High cost, inadequate training, and maintenance expenses emerged as the most common barriers. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that greater clinical experience, male sex, and higher perceived implementation barriers were independently associated with greater digital technology uptake. Adoption of advanced digital technologies remains uneven across Bengaluru’s dental sector, with disparities linked to experience, sex, and implementation barriers. Strengthening training, infrastructure, and implementation support is essential for equitable AI-readiness in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) dentistry.