BACKGROUND: Mobile phones have become a vital part of modern life, generating concerns about addiction among students. The present study aimed to assess smartphone usage and addiction among undergraduate dental students in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 dental students using a pre-designed questionnaire based on the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: Out of 304 participants, most spent 3-4 hours on smartphones. Females showed slightly lower addiction scores than males. Addiction tendencies differed across different academic years, with second-year students scoring the highest. CONCLUSION: The study's findings suggested that most dental students were addicted to smartphones. The study also revealed that having a smartphone was a crucial asset in their daily lives, and they preferred smartphones with advanced features.