A questionnaire study regarding knowledge, attitude and usage of artificial intelligence and machine learning by the orthodontic fraternity of Northern India

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the questionnaire study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and perception of orthodontists regarding the role of artificial intelligence in dentistry in general and orthodontics specifically, and to determine the use of artificial intelligence by the orthodontist. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among the orthodontists of Northern India (clinicians, academicians, and postgraduates) through a web-based electronic survey using Google Forms. The study was designed to obtain information about AI and its basic usage in daily life, in dentistry, and in orthodontics from the participants. The options given were set specifically according to the Likert scale to maintain the correct format. The questionnaire was validated by one AI expert and one orthodontic expert, followed by pretesting in a smaller group of 25 orthodontists 2 weeks before circulation. A total of 100 orthodontists and postgraduate students responded to the pretested online questionnaire link for 31 questions in four sections sent via social media websites in a period of 3 months. Results: The majority of the participants believe that AI could be useful in diagnosis and treatment planning and could revolutionize dentistry in general. 84 % of the orthodontic academicians and clinicians, including PG students, consider AI a useful tool for boosting performance and delivering quality care in orthodontics, and 72 % see AI as a partner rather than a competitor in the foreseeable future of dentistry. 90 % of the participants believe that the incorporation of AI into CBCT analysis can be a valuable addition to diagnosis and treatment planning. 86 % of total participants agree that AI can be helpful in decision-making for orthognathic surgery, and 84 % find AI useful for bone age assessment. Conclusions: It was observed that academicians are more aware of AI terminologies and usage as compared to PG students and clinicians. There is a consensus that AI is a useful tool for diagnosis and treatment planning, boosting performance and quality care in orthodontics. In spite of these facts, 62.5 % of clinicians and 40 % of PG students are still not using AI for cephalometric analysis (p = 0.033).

Keywords

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Deep learning
• Artificial neural networks (ANNs)
• Convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
• Digital orthodontic diagnosis