Advancing Sustainable Dentistry in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dentists' Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Perceived Barriers

Background: Sustainable dentistry aims to reduce the environmental impact of oral healthcare while maintaining patient safety and quality of care. Understanding dental professionals’ awareness, attitudes and implementation needs can inform efforts to promote environmentally responsible practice. Aim: To assess knowledge, attitudes, practices, perceived barriers and willingness to adopt sustainable dentistry among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey recruited 306 dental professionals through social media platforms and professional dental societies. A structured, self-administered questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, sustainability awareness, attitudes, reported practices, perceived barriers and willingness to adopt sustainable measures. Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ responses. Results: Awareness regarding sustainable dentistry was reported by 79.7% of participants. Positive attitudes were common: 87.6% agreed or strongly agreed that sustainable dentistry should be prioritized, 91.2% supported incorporating sustainability training into dental curricula and 82.0% believed sustainable practices could be implemented without compromising patient care. Willingness to invest in eco-friendly equipment and materials despite higher costs was reported by 61.8%. Overall, 78.8% expressed willingness to participate in sustainability training and 86.0% indicated that financial incentives would encourage adoption. However, only 48.4% reported existing workplace support for sustainability initiatives. Conclusion: Respondents reported substantial familiarity with sustainable dentistry, favorable attitudes and strong willingness to undertake training. Integrating sustainability into dental education and continuing professional development, alongside financial and institutional support, may help translate this willingness into routine practice.