Abstract

Background/Objectives: Large language models have created new pathways for patients to access health information, yet little is known about how the general population uses these conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tools for oral health concerns. This study investigated patterns of AI use as a source of oral health information, the nature of data shared with these systems, users’ perceptions, and the impact on dental care-seeking behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults from Bihor County, Romania, using a structured 16-item online questionnaire distributed via social media, with eligibility restricted to individuals who had previously used conversational AI for oral health information. The final sample comprised 393 valid responses from this self-selected group of users. Fisher’s exact test and Z-tests with Bonferroni correction were applied (α = 0.05). Results: Most participants were female (68.2%), university-educated (52.9%), and lived in an urban setting (88.3%). Significant differences in patterns of AI use for oral health information were identified according to age, sex, and living environment (p < 0.001). Younger participants used AI more frequently, while older individuals perceived the information as less clear. The vast majority used AI for informational or preliminary guidance purposes, with very few treating it as a substitute for professional opinion. A relevant subset shared visual data (intraoral photographs or radiographs) with AI systems, raising data privacy concerns. Rural participants more frequently delayed dental visits and less often discussed AI-derived information with their dentist compared to urban participants. Conclusions: When used by the public as a source of oral health information, AI is increasingly adopted, with adoption shaped by age, sex, and socioeconomic context. These findings concern only this informational use and do not extend to other applications of AI in dentistry, such as diagnostic support, image analysis, or clinical decision-making. Dental professionals should proactively engage patients about their use of AI for oral health information to ensure that digitally obtained content is appropriately contextualized.

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