Patient Attitudes Toward AI in Periodontal Health Promotion and Assessment

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly explored in oral healthcare.

However, patient attitudes toward the use of AI in periodontology remain insufficiently

investigated. This study evaluated patient attitudes toward AI in periodontal health promotion

and assessment and identified factors associated with trust in AI.

Methods: A survey study was conducted among 334 Bulgarian patients. The questionnaire

assessed trust in AI, willingness to use AI-based periodontal assessment applications, previous

AI experience, and concerns regarding AI use in dentistry. Statistical analyses included

Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 57.5% of participants reported trust in AI for providing information about

periodontal condition, while 46.1% expressed willingness to use AI-based periodontal

assessment tools. Males demonstrated higher levels of trust than females (62.4% vs. 51.4%),

although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.056). No significant age

differences were observed (p = 0.491). Previous experience with AI-based health services was

strongly associated with trust in AI (p < 0.001). Participants satisfied with previous AI use

demonstrated substantially higher trust levels (83.9%) compared to participants without

previous AI experience and unwilling to try AI (27.0%). Trust in AI was significantly associated

with willingness to use AI-based periodontal applications (χ2 = 119.78, p < 0.001). Positive

previous AI experience was the strongest independent predictor of trust in AI (OR = 17.04, 95%

CI: 7.20–43.78, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Bulgarian patients demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward AI in

periodontal health promotion and assessment. Previous positive AI experience was strongly

associated with greater trust in AI and increased willingness to use AI-based periodontal tools.

These findings suggest that trust and familiarity with AI may play an important role in the future

implementation of AI-driven approaches in periodontology.